Digital-Camera Reviews

Fuji for some reason puts out useless kits to make money and this one's no different. ...

The case is generic and too big for 2650/A203/A303/A205/A210 etc. The tripod is not useable. The batteries don't hold charge for long. A useless kit and total waste of your time and money (even after rebate or any other offers). Avoid any accessory from Digipower and Fuji kits.

Fuji does have a better fitting leather case but its hard to find in stock anywhere. Brand name NiMH batteries are better found at your local store.

This kit is not worth the money unless you're getting a rebate on it. The camera bag is much bigger than necessary for most cameras and has no way to be attached to a belt. The tripod is tiny, but does do the job. It's only about 4 inches high, no kidding! The best surprise was that the rechargeable batteries were better than advertised, mine shipped with batteries rated at 1950 miliamps. That's the highest rating I've seen for AA batteries! I'm still using my first pair after almost a month of use without recharging.

Needed a case for a 3800 I bought for personal use. Priced buying all the included items seperately from a variety of manufacturers and this was competitive before any rebates are applied (none were offered when I bought). Bag is larger than needed for a 3800, but the space comes in handy for storing the camera with the protective lens cone on and any accessories you want with you (wide angle lens, filters, tripod, etc). I feel comfortable with the protection the case gives my equipment. The tripod is kind of goofy, but most that size are. It has come in handy on several unplanned occations for longer exposure night shots or timed portrates.

I need to get another digital camera for work stuff. I am getting another 3800 and this kit.

The s7000 has the essential features I wanted : large 6 Mpixel sensor, dynamic range of light (no more white-outs!), excellent resolution and colors, value for money, 6x optical zoom, external flash hot shoe, standard AA batteries and compactFlash memory cards. The camera is very easy to operate, including with gloves. (tried it outside in winter!)

The image quality is great when using the best settings (12M pixels fine or RAW, ISO 200). The AUTO mode, the default sharpening, and the JPEG compressor for 1-3 MPixel images produce artefacts or boost sensor noise.

I just changed the rating of the camera from 4 to 5 stars after seeing what the raw format is capable of (not using Fuji's bundled software). Note that the s7000 is not a 12-MPixel camera: it has 6 MPixels. For a fair assessment of the s7000, use at raw files converted using a lossless format (e.g. TIFF) before magnifying the image at a 1:1 ratio on your monitor.

If you use the best settings, you will have excellent pictures. However, the s7000 is not comparable to cameras with larger sensors. If you really want to remove the noise, the "advanced sharpen" tool of Picture Window Pro 3.5 will clean it up. Resolution is great. Chromatic aberration is very low but can be noticed (by a purist) when viewing pictures at high magnification.

The viewfinder is comfortable and accurate. The delay for taking pictures is better than my other digital camera's (Canon S10). To aid focusing, you can hit a Focus Check button that pops-up a magnified area of the image. The macro photography modes allow for extremely close shootings (1 cm); the auto-bracketing works fine; the last-5 frames continuous capture is a great idea for action shots.

Video quality is awsome, and there is no limit to the duration of the videos. I don't need another video camera, since the s7000 is good enough for my needs.

Missing features:
- a tool for rotating images in the camera
- a mode for taking pictures to be stitched (panorama)
- 24 hour time format is not supported
- range of flash adjustment should extend beyond -0.6 EV
- 16 or 24 FPS video rate (only 30 FPS is supported)
- Zoom is not enabled during video shooting
- sensitivity cannot be set manually lower than ISO 200
- bundled RAW converter has no controls, and is not taking the best out of the RAW files. Use alternatives!

Minor annoyance:
- RAW setting should be available from the "F button" for Image Quality (not the SET mode).
- LCD display is fixed (many other cameras have an articulated extension)
- Audio annotations to photos require tedious manipulations

Nice Surprise:
Third party RAW converters are available on the web. For example, s7raw has more controls than RAW Converter LE that comes with the camera, and it can output 16-bit TIFF images. dcraw is also very good, and you can experiment with its source code.

rawgem (my own converter) is also available for download, and produces PSD 24/48 bit or BMP 24-bit files.

Problem
The histogram shown during picture taking in manual mode is different from the actual histogram of the picture taken. It can be way off -- don't rely on it for setting the camera aperture/speed.

I Started about 5 years ago with Black and White photography. That being my main forte I was looking for a good transition to digital. I did massive amounts of research and landed upon the Super CCD Fuji. The noise issue did give me some concern, however, dealing with film I feel it gives it a more realistic quality. I can't wait till Fuji masters the Super CCD just think the octogonal constructions is way ahead of its time, perhaps too far. However. After using this little bugger for 3 weeks now I am in love with it. The night capabilitys are amazing. It says maximum sutter time is 15 seconds, but, with a release cable, it can stay open for hours. It has "B" mode. Awesome. The macro cababilitys are also killer. Now to get a shot that I can only get with film just use the manual override. That way you have total control. Sorry, I can't keep my hands off this little bugger. Good luck on your research.

Go for it. I purchased 3 weeks back, taken 1200 snaps. Most of them superb. I am no expert ( used a 1.3 mp for some time), but I am sure, I will grow with this one. The Auto mode is decent. Even 3 MP pics in Auto are excellent unless u r looking for massive prints. Macro/Close Up mode is grrreat! Hope this works ok, and then I will really have a nice time.
The Good News : Any Novice can easily use it and churn out great photos.

However, get at least 256 Mb if not 256 in both slots. Forget Movie Mode, though it is clear, takes too much memory. Contrary to Review, the Battery lasts long enough. Get a rechargable in course of time. Also, think of a Bag to carry it around. It is quite big, bigger than my Sony TRV 19 MINIDV.

Worry : Why are prices falling fast ? I got for 590 less 100 mail in fr Fuji ( yet to get rebate).Now rebate is gone, but Amazon sells for 499. Buydig gives for below 450!!! What is Fuji upto?

As an user, I have to give it 5 Star. Its good, budd. Happy times!!!

Okay okay ... You can get this from several Z-shops sellers, starting at $438 (as of 12-26-03). There are some small errors in the description, which you may clear up for yourself at the Fujifilm.com site. But compare this to the S5000, which you can get new, here, for about $340. And if you hunt diligently, today you can grab it for $296. I am not repeat not talking about some auction sight, either. (Nor in Japan, where I live at the moment, though there is a place here I must check tomorrow just in case. Besides, delayed gratification is not my strong suit.)

The Fujifilm site gives a detailed description of their CCD (Charge Coupled Device) pixel array that to me sounds like the best thing going in what the working class like me can afford. The S602 is Fuji's 3rd generation CCD, the S5000 is their 4th generation. The 602 has 6x optical and 4.4x digital zoom (26.4x), the 5000 had 10x optical and 2.2x digital (22x). If that extra 4.4 turns your head, then shopping for a telephoto is probably something to consider. I find the greater lens power more attractive, and sould give clearer photos, at 22x side by side with the 602 at a comparable setting.

If you want to spend serious $$$ for something that has 5 to 8 megapixels, more power to you. But the S5000 is a better Fuji for less money ... the S602 is really last year's news. My hard earned greenbacks are on the S5000.

I previously owned a Kodak DX3900, and my gripe about that camera was that their were little to no manual controls on the camera. Heck, the lowest shutter speed was 1 second. So.. the next five months I researched loads of cameras. And I finally narrowed it down to a few choices: Minolta 7i, Coolpix 4500, Canon G3, Olympus C-730 .. and the Fuji.

I chose the Fuji.. and here's why:

In simple, the Fuji offered the most of what I want. It has all my manual controls, it has nice focusing controls, it has adequate megapixel count, firm body, compact flash support, nice grip, decent software, good zoom, dual-media drives, superior movie mode ..

The only downfalls to this camera: It's only 3.1 Megapixel, no matter what anyone tells you. But, for me, that was enough. I never print ANYTHING larger than 8 x 10, and if I ever plan to, I can use the interpolated 6 MP mode. AND no auto-focusing assiting lamp. But the manual controls this camera offers more than make up for it.

Do yourself a favor and buy the Fuji. Don't be fooled by what you think you need. Longer zoom isn't that big of a deal. 6x is plenty, any farther and you get camera shake. Megapixel count is excellent for just 3. It's certainly enough for the average consumer. It might look clunky, but it fits snuggly in my purse.

What more reason did you need?

If you like traditional reflex photography and are looking for a digicam this is, in my opinion and after long research, one of the best options. The camera is an upgraded version of the highly popular FinePix 6900 with some of the problems solved: the best electronic viewfinder in the market, AA batteries.

You will have a superb camera with excellent photo quality and also a true 30 fps video camcorder, all in one. It feels like an SLR camera with all the features the enthusiast photographer could expect.

Pros:

- 6X optical zoom lens
- Full manual or automatic controls
- Industry-leading movie mode
- Very good image quality
- Great macro mode
- SmartMedia and CompactFlash Type II slots
- Overall camera operation feels quick
- Support for external flash
- Feels good and solid, nice ergonomic touches
- The best electronic viewfinder
- Good battery life
- Excellent software

Cons (minor problems):

- Poor low light auto focus
- No indication of battery life status. So, always carry battery backup

Conclusion: excellent camera even for professional use.

We were previous owners of a Kodak and were looking for a step up from the basic digital point and shoot. We are very happy with this Fuji model. The 10x zoom is awesome. We took it on a beach vacation and got great action shots from far away. The camera is smaller than you think. It fits in a palm and is pretty light. Granted, it won't fit in a pocket, but that is trade between size/convenience and higher photo quality. The flash is much better than our Kodak; it is much more powerful and does a better job filling in the light indoors. Indoor pictures of our kids are much clearer and have truer color. The flash does drain the batteries quicker, but when used outdoors, we can easily get several hundred photos on a single set of AAs. I don't care much for the included Fuji software; I have chosen to use a third party one instead.

Just bought my Fuji S5000 a month ago and am extremely pleased with it!Out of the box I was taking impressive, detailed pictures!Although daytime shots are taken best with this camera, with some setting adjustments nighttime shots can be pretty good.I have taken most of my shots on the 3 mp setting and they have turned out great.Although in order to use the Raw format you have to use the 6 mp setting.The zoom is great. I used it taking pictures from a moving vehicle and you couldnt even see a blur.I found by reading the book and experimenting most of the problems people have can be overcome.Only cons with this camera is you tend to get a lot of blur on low light shots. And lastly the included software isnt the greatest

With this camera, Fuji apparently decided to put the bucks into features rather than megapixels and to build the best 3mp camera they could -- like building an expensive Audi with a 1.8-litre engine -- resulting in a product that is extremely versatile at the price. Really, few will ever need more than 1mp for typical picture-taking, and the sharpness and accurate color balance this camera produces even at that "low" resolution are more than satisfying, even in low light conditions. And, at 1mp, you can shoot and store a number of photos equal to approximately twice the meg rating of your memory card. The lens is sharp and as good a quality as I've seen in any consumer camera, even at its vaunted 10x optical zoom (where you'll need a tripod or other solid brace -- it doesn't have the digital stabilization found on pro cameras). Photos download in a few seconds direct from camera to computer. I like the locked-down flash -- it doesn't fire off inadvertently when you're inside a museum -- and the battery life is as good as I've ever seen on a digital camera. It's unlikely, but should your rechargables ever expire while you're in the field, you can pick up a set of ordinary AAs. The digital WYSIWYG thru-the-lens viewfinder with diopter adjustment is superior to the typical optical rangefinders found in this bracket of cameras. A full range of manual priority settings, the ability to shoot black-and-white and "Kodachrome" (color-saturated)photos and a lens hood that accepts standard 55mm filters complete this very attractive package. Drawbacks: the camera, while small, is oddly shaped and is too large for the typical digital camera case or your pocket but rattles around in a 35mm camera bag. The zoom motor is a bit too fast and difficult to fine-tune. And it could use a remote shutter release.

My husband bought me this camera for Christmas 2003 after I could no longer live with my old Olympus D520 digital camera. Over the years I've settled on features in digital cameras that work for my needs, and this one meets them all. The breakdown:

Pros:
* Sturdy. Early after getting this camera, my cat had a run-in with it where the strap got hooked around his neck, something spooked him and he took off, camera crashing around behind him. I'm pleased to say that both cat and camera lived, and neither were damaged in any way. Hat's off to Fujifilm for making an indestructable digicam!
* Picture quality is excellent. I need a camera with a hefty optical zoom and this one has it. Recently I was able to capture a photo of my friend recieving her diploma... From high up in the bleachers and over 500 feet away from her! The picture is crystal clear, too!
* Good with all lighting conditions. Daylight, low-light, indoor, outdoor, this camera performs well under all conditions.
* Fast recovery period between snap shots. There is between a 2-3 second recovery period between pictures, which is nice. It insures that you're able to get a series of photos fired off in a quick succession, which is great if you're taking pictures of people in action.
* Easy to transfer photos from the camera to my computer. I use a Mac, and this camera works flawlessly with it. The software is basic... I don't use it for major picture editing (that's what Photoshop is for), but the software package will crop and resize, orient, etc.
* Print quality is excellent. I can upload my photos via the net to my photo processing store and they print them out using a high-quality printer on photo paper for 11 cents a print. The prints from this camera are crystal clear and look indistinguishable from ones taken with a film camera.

Cons:
* Size. I thought at first that I wouldn't mind the size of the S3000, but after having had it for several months, I'm starting to bring my crappy Olympus with me places where I don't have the space to haul around a clunky camera. Even though it's a fabulous point-and-shoot camera that comes through time and time again, it's quite a bit bigger than most point-and-shoot digicams which can make it a little awkward to lug around.
* Battery life stinks. The one good thing I can say about my Olympus D520 is that it has great battery life, and this is one area where the S3000 just doesn't impress me. It takes 4 AA batteries and sucks them dry in no time, despite supposedly being more efficient than the previous version.

All in all, I'd have to say that the pros far outweigh the cons with this camera. If you're looking for a sturdy digicam with tons of optical zoom and great print resolution, you can't go wrong with the A3000!

This was our first digital camera and we are very pleased with it. The documentation includes a "quick start" page to get you going right away. After reading it and installing the batteries, we were taking very nice pictures in less than an hour. The camera is lightweight and can easily used with one hand. The controls and menus are easy to use and simple to learn and remember. One small complaint regarding the LCD monitor that can be used in place of the viewfinder. The image in the monitor apprears washed out if you are not looking directly into it. This does not affect the photo image and is a very minor annoyance.

We have taken indoor pictures in a variety of lighting conditions using the built-in flash and every picture has been great. We also went outside on a sunny day and took pictures of a snowman in a blindingly, white, snow covered, yard and the pictures again turned out great. The zoom options are very nice and easy to use. The autofocus feature works great.

Downloading the pictures into the computer is also very easy. The included software installed flawlessly. Then, using the included USB cable, connect the camera to your PCs USB port and turn on the camera. The rest is automatic. The software downloads the pictures from the camera to your computer's hard drive. The program also gives you various option for cropping or other tweaks you may wish to make to improve your pictures.

This is a great digital camera package for the price. Certainly, you can spend a lot more for a lot more camera, for professional applications. But if you are just getting started in digital photography or are looking for a second, better digital camera, to take family or vacation photos or photos around the house, take a look at the the Fuji S3000.

I purchased this camera several months ago, and every time I use it I'm more and more impressed! The photos are amazing! I'm still exploring the different modes (sport,scenic,potrait...). I use rechargeable NiMH batteries and they last a LONG time! I think this camera is a great value for the money. I fought going digital for so long, and now that I own this camera I feel so foolish! The software accompanying the camera is also quite good, although the slideshow function takes a few practice runs. Overall, I think this camera is fabulous, I've recommended it to everyone (my brother-in-law has already purchased one after seeing the photos I e-mailed him!). He is also now an Amazon customer! Buy this camera, you won't be disappointed! I honestly cannot gush enough over the ease of use, and more importantly, the photo quality.

I have currently a Nikon CoolPix 775 2MP.A Sony DSC P92 5MP.A Sony DSC P72 3MP an HP C500 2MP.a Canon Powershot S230 3 mp... and this Fuji F700 and have owned a Sony DSC S75 3.2 MP and a Canon S410 4MP...and others. I wont go into why I have so many but will concentrate on my review here of the F700. The controversy is that this is really an 3.2 mega-pixel camera and not a 6mp. I agree with the 3.2 camp. Compared to all the cameras mentioned this Fuji F700 takes just as good or better than any in Auto mode, inside or out.(I use auto mode as a test because with proper adjustments all cameras can be made to take improved pictures but this takes experience and testing that many of us dont want to do, though some simple setting adjustments will help for 98 percent of your pictures). Test pictures were taken of the same subject matter from a stationary camera using the timer to avoid any camera movement as well as freehand shots with and without flash. I find that my best pictures are taken in the 3MP setting. Even taking them in "RAW" or 6MP setting doesnt make a noticeable difference.... indeed... sometimes it is less detailed. You should see improvement in enlarged or cropped pictures using RAW or 6 MP settings though I havent experimented much in printing 8x10 or larger.(Ink and gloss paper prices make me cry). Actually... the Sony 5MP P92's 5mp pics were worse than their 3 mp pics ( i almost think I may have a bad sony cam), and the F700 is better on both settings. I wanted to move to a shirtpocket size camera because I was missing a lot of shots not wanting to tote my bigger cameras. By the time they are in a case its like carrying a purse. This F700 I carry everywhere except to bed. The plusses for me... Size... great movies,but only 7.5 minutes on a 512MB picture card, The continuous shooting mode which lets you take continuous pics but only at 1 MP.... the 5 shot pic mode,add sound clips to pics, 1.8 inch viewfinder, focus assist lamp, RAW mode, speed, very easy to navigate settings, easy to remember and change. The 2 main drawbacks and reason I may still try another camera is I really want a larger than 3 power zoom and this camera wont accept any additional lenses. I knew this going in but thought I could live without this feature... You either miss lots of photo ops because you dont have your cam with you because its too big or you miss them because of the lack of a large zoom. Thats my quandry. This Fuji F700 has as many or more features and as good as picture quality than ALL the cameras I have owned.I slip it into a babys mitten then the plastic bag it came in(humidity will form on camera when in pocket under exertion).then into my pocket( I plan on sewing my own waterproof bag someday). If you get this cam get the FUJIFILM xD-Picture Card over the SanDisk... the trnasfer rates are way faster. microwavedave@sbcglobal.net

After owning a Sony DSC s70 for 3 years i was waiting for a camera that would 1)quicker on start up and shots 2) more compact(could fit in front pants pocket) and 3) run unlimited timed movies(limited to only size of memory) and closer to video camera quality. Well the F700 hit all of these. I have had the camera a month now and am 100% satisfied.

I've own a Olympus C-40zoom for 2 years and I do like it a lot, the only problem I have with it the the sloooooow startup time, looooong wait between shoot to shoot, so I put in on eBay and ready for my next one. I've tried 4 different cameras (Leica D-Lux, Casio Z3, Olympus D-560, Fuji F700) and finally this is THE one. SUPER fast start up, quick charge from shoot to shoot. Very easy to operate and excellent picture quality. to be honesy I don't know and don't have "expectation" for what the Super CCD SR sensor will do, but I know the output is definitely satisfy what I am looking for. A little bit expensive, but metal body gives it a high quality feeling. Over all, good camera and does deliver what I need.