Great Little Camera Packs In Value
Written: Nov 30 '03
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Pros: Large lens produces high quality photos. 6x optical zoom is best in class.
Cons: Shutter lag prevents good action shots. Not enough manual features, ie: ISO settings.
The Bottom Line: I highly recommend this camera to anyone who wants to take digital photography past point and shoot. This is an excellent transition to the professional Digital SLR field.
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| tiktok4321's Full Review: FUJIFILM FinePix 3800 Digital Camera |
This is a fine camera for an individual just starting in the digital camera world or a replacement for the seasoned user. Even the discerning user will find that it's simplicity does not compromise photo quality. There is more to just point and shoot with this camera and is thus a great stepping stone for any individual who is eager to enter the professional world of digital SLR photography but doesn't want to break their wallet just yet.
This is my third digital camera to own. I've also own a Kodak DC215 and a Vivitar. The Vivitar is a 2 mega pixel and the Kodak doesn't even break the 1 MP threshold. With these two cameras, though, I knew what I wanted in my next purchase.
There are a few preferences that I look for when shopping for a digital camera. First, I would rather own a digital camera manufactured by a camera company (ie: Fuji, Kodak, Nikon, etc) than one manufactured by a computer company (HP, Sony, etc). The reason for this leads into my next criterion: Optics.
My Kodak consistently produced better pictures than my Vivitar despite it's lower MP rating for one main reason. It had a larger lens. So, my next criterion for finding my camera was to find one with the largest lens in its MP class. This Fuji Finepix fits the bill.
An added bonus to the size of this camera's lens is the optical zoom range. With a 6x optical zoom, this camera has incredible clarity that far out performs other cameras that have a 6x combined optical/digital zoom. In bright lighting conditions, the extra little digital zoom provided by this camera is not easily identifiable as being a digital zoom.
The third criterion I have in digital camera shopping is the battery type. Any camera I use must use AA batteries. 4 is preferred, but 2 is OK. AAA or proprietary batteries is an expensive waste of money in my opinion. It is a pleasure to see that people aren't willing to buy cameras that use proprietary batteries, forcing manufactures to utilize the widely available, highly cost competitive AA standard. A small side note: The alkalines that come with the camera will last about a day and a half. Immediately replace them with at least two sets of NiMH batteries for ultimate endurance.
The final criterion I use in selecting a digital camera is the file storage/transfer system. With a USB flash card adapter, I can transfer my photos from my camera to my computer without any special software, and it doesn't matter if I use my Mac or PC. My favorite format is CompactFlash. This camera uses probably the 2nd most proprietary form factor next to the Memory Stick - the xD card. Other than not being able to use my stash of CF cards, this isn't a problem for me. The direct USB connection works on my Mac and PC. The weakest link here is the software (only Mac version reviewed). It's very pretty, but somewhat dysfunctional. Archiving the pictures and manipulating a duplicate set requires copying files in and out of directories and going in and out of the Fine Pix Viewer. This is frustrating. Very few features provided in the software, though it does have a slide show feature that works adequately. Just for reference, a 128 MB xD card will hold 162 3 MP pics, 204 2 MP pics, 274 1 MP pics, and 995 email sized .3 MP pics. In movie mode, 320x240 holds 60 seconds of action and 160x120 can store 240 seconds.
Finally, some miscellaneous comments. One thing I noticed is that when shooting through glass into a darkened room, instead of using the flash (with the camera pressed up against the glass), better results are obtained without the flash. Action shots are VERY difficult with this camera because of the shutter lag. Best thing to do is get your focal point set pressing the shutter half way and then following the subject. Lots of light is very critical here, and it'll take a while to train yourself to be successful with action shots. The lens adapter allows for use of 55mm filters - a very nice feature. The manufacture doesn't recommend using the flash with the adapter on, but I haven't noticed and degradation of flash fill. The lens cap has a double grip, allowing it to be used to protect the lens with or without the adapter.
Finally, I'm not real fond of the digital viewfinder. It's just a miniature version of the LCD. Though it gives an SLR view, I personally prefer an optical viewfinder.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 299
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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tiktok4321
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