Kyocera Finecam S3L Review

Click on the S3L camera for a QTVR tour

The Finecam S3L is the 2002 upgrade of Kyocera's S3, one of the world's smallest high- quality 3.34 megapixel digital cameras. The same height and width of a credit card, the Finecam S3L shoots crisp, sharp images and is housed in a sleek and durable stainless steel body. The Finecam S3L utilizes the latest in digital technologies to capture still images up to 2048 x 1536 pixels and record 320 x 240 motion video sequences with audio that can be played back on the camera's LCD or any television set.

The upgrades include an all glass, 3X zoom lens (35-105mm equivalent in 35mm) with a 2X digital zoom option. A new "Day Fine" 1.6-inch TFT color LCD monitor which makes it easier to view images while outdoors in bright light. The display utilizes a dual backlight design that lets ambient light pass through and is then reflected back through a special filter. The lithium battery has an increased capacity of 1000mAh and along with the power saving function it extends battery life to approx. 180 minutes of playback time. Capture up to 160 still images on a full charge, using the flash 50% of the time. 320 x 240 movie recording time has been extended to 30 seconds (160 x 120 up to 120 secs.) and audio is now simultaneously recorded.

The Finecam S3L stores images, movies and audio on postage-stamp sized SD or MMC cards, the latest in digital storage technology. Still images are saved in Exif JPEG compressed format with one of two quality levels. The macro mode allows the camera to focus as close to 4.8 inches to the object. Five flash modes handle all lighting situations: auto flash, red- eye reduction auto flash, fill-in flash, flash-off or nighttime portrait. Other exposure options include: color (color, sepia, b/w), white balance (auto, preset, daylight, tungsten, cloudy, fluorescent), sharpness and chroma. Exposure compensation is also adjustable.

The Finecam S3L features Epson's revolutionary new PRINT Image Matching technology, enabling it to work perfectly with the newest generation of EPSON Stylus Photo printers.  With PRINT Image Matching, critical image specific parameters for printing are recorded by the Kyocera Finecam S3L and saved in each image data file.  PRINT Image Matching-enabled Epson Stylus Photo printers use this information to ensure that they accurately reproduce the image created by the camera.

Finecam S3L Features

• Compact and durable stainless steel body
• 3X optical zoom with 35-105mm equivalent coverage
• Macro focus as close as 4.7" from the lens
• 3-Megapixel CCD for images up to 2048 x 1536
• 320 x 240 motion video with audio for up to 30 secs.
• Shutter speeds 1 sec to 1/2000 automatic
• Long shutter speeds of 2, 4 or 8 seconds
• Multi-area, center-weighted and spot metering
• Program AE or Aperture Priority (wide open or fully closed)
• Wide area AF, Spot AF or Manual focusing
• 1.6-inch "Day Fine" color LCD monitor
• 5 Flash modes (Auto, Red-eye reduction, Fill, Night Portrait or Off)
• Color modes (Color, Sepia or Black & White)
• ISO Sensitivity: Auto or 120, 200 or 400 fixed
• White Balance (Auto, Daylight, Tungsten, Cloudy, Fluorescent, or Preset)
• Audio and Video output (NTSC or PAL format)
• High capacity 1000mAh lithium battery and charger
• Epson PRINT Image Matching compatible

The Finecam S3L is available now with a street price of $399.

Physical Views

The Finecam S3L compared in size to a standard CD.

Finecam S3L Specifications