About FinePix Digital Cameras

To be frank, I'm not fans of fujifilm digital camera.  I'm more to Canon.  Anyway, it is not hurt to know about other brand as well. :) 

Fujifilm started out as a manufacturer of photographic film.  Their films are well-known for producing vivid but natural colors.  Branching into other areas of business, Fujifilm soon came out with their first digital camera in 1988, the DS-1P.  FujiFilm now offers a growing number of digital cameras under the FinePix brand name.  These cameras range from point and shoot models to the more expensive digital SLR models.

The majority of Fujifilm cameras are designed for beginners, although the company also offers digital SLR-type cameras for intermediate photographers.  A few full SLR cameras are available for professional photographers.

FinePix A and J Series

The A and J series are aimed at beginning photographers.  The FinePix A and FinePix J series feature an ultra compact camera body with basic features.  The camera body typically measures less than 1 inch thick.  Newer models now have larger-than-average optical zoom lens.  Some models also have wide angle capabilities.  This entry level digital camera series costs $100 to $200.

FinePix Z Models

The Z models of Fujifilm FinePix cameras are known for their colors and styles.  These cameras come in pink, red, silver, green, black, purple, blue and orange.  They do not have as many features as some FinePix models, with a resolution of 10MP or less.  Z digital cameras cost $125 to $200.

FinePix F Models

FinePix F model digital cameras have a minimum resolution of 12 megapixels in an ultra compact camera body.  F series models cost $250 to $400 and make use of EXR technology.  The newer F200EXR uses an advanced CCD image sensor technology called Super CCD EXR.

FinePix S Models

FinePix digital cameras in the S series are aimed at intermediate photographers.  The S model cameras are similar to DSLR cameras, with the look and feel of a digital SLR camera minus interchangeable lenses and high prices.  FinePix digital S cameras are equipped with at least 12x optical zoom.  They cost between $400 and $1,000.

Pro Models

Fujifilm offers a number of true DSLR cameras with its Pro models.  These cameras cost a few thousand dollars.  Some models are capable of shooting pictures in infrared or ultraviolet light.

At present, Fujifilm continues to manufacture film for traditional film cameras and for one-time-use cameras.  Other related products include photo-finishing products, graphic arts, microfilm, motion picture film, and digital and VHS video storage media.  Digital camera accessories are also available through their website.  The company continues to maintain its position as one of the leaders in digital camera technology as they develop newer and more advanced FinePix digital camera models.

Read More

Fujifilm FinePix S1800 12.2MP Digital Camera Review

Let’s face it; a point-and-shoot digital camera can only do so much. On the other hand, a DSLR camera that produces professional quality pictures can be prohibitively expensive. This is where the FinePix S series comes in. In particular, the Fujifilm FinePix S1800 12.2MP Digital Camera with 18x wide angle optical dual image stabilized and 3-inch LCD screen bridges the gap between a compact camera and an SLR.

Features of the Fujifilm FinePix S1800

This 12-megapixel digital camera is compact and lightweight and comes with powerful Fujinon long-zoom lenses. Its wide angle lens starts at 28mm and extends to 504mm at 18x zoom. In addition to its extra large 3-inch LCD screen, it also comes with an electronic viewfinder that comes in handy when taking pictures under bright sunlight.

The FinePix S1800 has dual image stabilization provided by a CCD sensor and high ISO sensitivity. This means that blurring effects due to hand-shake and subject movement are reduced. The resulting pictures are extremely sharp and clear even at long zoom setting or low lighting conditions.

The digital camera does all the hard work for you using its automatic Scene Recognition mode (SR Auto). It can automatically adjust camera settings according to the scenery type and shooting conditions. Image results are optimized so you can take good pictures with hardly any effort. This new S model can even capture HD videos ad HD stills that you can playback on an HD ready television.

Even fast action shots are easy to take with the new Tracking Auto Focus that allows you to capture your subject in perfect focus. It Face Detection and Automatic Red Eye Removal system now has a Smile & Shoot Mode and a Blink Detection warning.

With the Panorama mode, you can take a continuous shot of a landscape or a big group of friends. Scene modes include Portrait, Landscape, Night, Sport, Fireworks, Beach, Sunset, Snow, Flower, Party and Text. Using the Natural Light with Flash Mode, the camera will take two shots in rapid succession. One shot uses a flash and one uses natural light. You simply compare the two and choose the image that you like best.

The FinePix S1800 is intelligent enough to take the most amazing pictures, but more advanced users can use the Manual Mode with extensive focus and metering options.

A very convenient and useful feature of the S1800 is the Auto Picture Rotation. You’ll always be able to view your photos the right way in playback, whether they were taken in portrait or landscape mode because the image will automatically rotate on the screen.

Things You’ll Like About the FinePix S1800

There are many things that you will like about the Fujifilm FinePix S1800. It’s larger than a compact digital camera but significantly smaller than a DSLR. All the same, it’s light and easy to carry around. The camera controls and settings are well placed and easy to locate, so you can quickly switch between the different shooting modes.

The electronic viewfinder is something experienced photographers always look for in a camera. It’s useful whenever you want to take pictures outdoors where bright sunlight may interfere with the LCD display. A viewfinder is also helpful in framing your shots. The Dual Image Stabilization produces sharp images and is one of the camera’s best features.

It may not seem like much, but it’s great that this camera takes AA batteries. That makes it easier to replace old batteries with fresh ones.

It’s easy to take good pictures with the S1800, as even full Auto Mode takes great shots. The 18x zoom lens is fantastic and produces quality pictures, although there is a slight reduction of clarity at full zoom. It also has features that are very useful, such as facial recognition and burst mode, where several shots are taken in rapid succession. Burst mode is important when taking pictures of action-filled events such as sports.

Zoom bracketing, where several pictures are taken at varying focal lengths, is also a great feature that lets you pick the best possible image. All in all, the S1800 produces good pictures and is easy and fun to use.

The Weak Points

Perhaps the biggest weakness of the Fujifilm FinePix S1800 is the shutter lag. It takes too long to focus, so you could end up missing your action shots. In addition, there are occasions where shots taken in dim light come out fuzzy. And although the LCD screen is big, the image is grainy especially under dim lighting conditions. The blink and smile detection does not work perfectly all the time.

Recommendation

Most consumers agree that the Fujifilm FinePix S1800 is a great camera. At less than $160, the camera is a steal. The software is easy to follow and the camera is easy to operate. Experienced users of digital cameras lament the fact that it does not produce a RAW format. On the other hand, the majority of users who opt for the S1800 are happy enough to simply point and shoot, knowing that their shots will come out great.

The Fuji FinePix S1800 is a perfect blend of a compact digital camera and a DSLR. For the price of a point-and-shoot camera, you get features normally found only in more expensive DSLR cameras. Available at Amazon, this camera will get you started towards owning and appreciating a DSLR someday.

Read More

About FujiFilm FinePix Digital Cameras

If you are looking for point-and-shoot digital camera that lets you take great pictures without a lot of fuss, then a FujiFilm Finepix digital camera could be exactly what you are looking for. With 10MP to 14MP resolution and 3x or more optical zoom, you can get crystal clear images that rival any picture captured by more expensive cameras. 

Whether you are a newbie looking for an entry level digital camera or a more experienced photographer, you’ll be able to find a FinePix compact digital camera that suits your needs.

A FujiFilm FinePix digital camera produces pictures with excellent color saturation so that they come out sharper and with a better view. From close-ups to wide-angled scenes, you’ll be able to get great details in all your shots. Some FinePix models offer an in-camera panorama photo mode that stitches a series of photos together to create a single large wide-angle photo.

Fujifilm FinePix Entry Level Cameras

FinePix point-and-shoot digital cameras typically come with 12MP resolution and 3x to 10x optical zoom, with retail prices ranging from $100 to $250. Unlike most entry level cameras, some FinePix models have sensor-shift image stabilization. A number of camera settings are available, including portrait, landscape, night, macro, night portrait, and backlit portrait. Pictures are clear and vividly colored, even in artificial or dim light.

FujiFilm offers the following entry level FinePix digital cameras: AV100, AX200, JV100, JZ300, JZ500 and JZ250.

Fujifilm FinePix Mid-Range Digital Cameras

Mid-range cameras cost from about $300 to $400 and feature high performance EXR for a higher resolution image. They also use sensor-shift image stabilization but they have no in-camera panorama mode. Mid-range camera models include the F70EXR, F60fd and F200EXR.

FujiFilm FinePix Superzooms

Superzooms models have zoom ratios of 14x up to 30x. They are equipped with sensor-shift image stabilization. These cameras retail at $230 to $600. 

Superzoom models include the S1800, and S2550HD. Just keep in mind that at larger zoom ratio, the image quality deteriorates.

Some superzoom cameras, like the HS10 and S200EXR, have a hotshoe for external flash units as well as an electronic viewfinder in addition to the LCD display. A viewfinder is useful when taking pictures in bright sunlight which can overpower the LCD display. They cost twice as much as the other FujiFilm FinePix digital camera models.

Read More