Fujifilm's New FinePix 4800

It's summertime, and the digital cameras just keep on coming. We've seen a bunch of them in the past few weeks at varying price points. The cheapest new camera we've seen recently is Sony's Cyber-shot digital still camera at $250. Aside from that announcement, they've pretty much all come in at around $1,000. Today, Fuji announced that it is now shipping a digital camera that's just about in the midrange (OK, not quite) as far as pricing goes: the FinePix 4800 Zoom. It's got the same body style as the more expensive 6800 Zoom, along with a 2.4 million-sensor Super CCD that generates a 4.3-megapixel image file, a cradle for picture-viewing and download, and a direct connection for both videoconferencing and recharging the camera's lithium ion battery. Other features include image voice annotation and the ability to capture either up to 80 seconds of AVI video with sound or record up to 30 minutes of audio. In the "I did not know that" department, Fuji brags that the camera's body was designed by F.A. Porsche, designer of the Porsche 911 sports car. The camera is also equipped with functions that include a fast (f/2.8) 3x Super EBC Fujinon aspherical zoom lens with a focal length equivalent to a 36-108 mm zoom on a 35mm camera, while offering macro capability to approximately 10.8 inches. It has five programmed exposure modes (auto, portrait, scenic, night, and full manual) as well as three metering modes (average, multi-zone or spot) and 64-zone TTL metering with programmed auto-exposure. Users also have the option of an automatic or six manual white balance settings. The camera measures 3.1" W x 3.8" H x 1.4" D, weighs 9.1 ounces without the battery (why would they weigh it without the battery?), and is priced at $699. Not cheap, but not $1,000 either. You can put that $300 you saved toward going somewhere you want to take pictures of.