We couldn’t pass up the chance to review the Fujifilm FinePix Z30. It is a point-and-shoot camera that bucks the trends. The Z30 has a really unique style. It has a smooth and curvy metallic surface and comes in several bright colors including a bright fuchsia pink, an intense bright orange and a vibrant purple.
The Z30 comes in an intriguing black box that made the picture of our pink camera look very good.
click to enlarge
Figure 1: The Z30 in its box.
Inside the box, as shown in Figure 2, is the camera itself, an NP-45 rechargeable battery, the battery charger with a foldable plug that makes transporting and storing it easier, a foldable mini-user’s guide, a USB cable, a wrist strap, the complete owner’s manual on a CD, and a CD with the FinePix software.
We give Fujifilm a thumbs-up for including the owner’s manual on a CD, so there is no fumbling around looking for it on the web. Also, the user’s manual is simplistic and accurate. Good for a beginner as well as for someone who knows their way around digital cameras.
click to enlarge
Figure 2: What’s inside the box.
What’s really unique about the Z30 is its design and color. As you can see in Figure 3, our pink Z30 has a distinct rounded look and bright metallic finish. For those who are not into bright colors, the Z30 also comes in black and white. Although the design was meant to be trendy and stylish, instead, the color and finish make the camera look a little toy-like.
The Z30 is a very compact device. Its dimensions are 3.6 x 2.3 x 1.0 inches (9 x 6 x 2.5 cm) and it weighs roughly 4.1 ounces (116.5 g) not including the battery or memory card. The curves and compactness of the camera are its biggest pluses. Unfortunately, the Z30 has several design flaws that we will discuss in this review.
click to enlarge
Figure 3: The Z30 camera in shocking pink.
