Camera expiration date on box?
Written: Mar 16 '05
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Pros: Brilliant colors, easy to hold and use, 6x optical zoom
Cons: Breaks easily (mine after 1.5 years), poor autofocus in low light, large size, poor construction
The Bottom Line: Buy this camera if you're truly a beginner, but don't expect it to last
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| pshie's Full Review: FUJIFILM FinePix 3800 Digital Camera |
I purchased the 3800 in 2003 and like everyone else, I've done quite a bit of research before purchasing this camera. I was primarily looking at Canon S45's reviews but when I picked up the Fujifilm 3800, I thought that this would be the one.
The camera is easy to hold, I'm not afraid of dropping it, it fits -very- comfortably in my hands. The buttons are very user friendly and ergonomic, things make sense. When I take out the camera, I look like a photographer, not a tourist. :)
Although the camera is not fully manual (unlike the S45), it'll do what a novice/intermediate photographer wants to do. The colors are amazing and the pictures I've taken looks as good or better than more expensive cameras.
I use Adobe Photoshop to touch-up the pictures (mainly to add contrast to give it more color) then print it at
Costco, the pictures look as good as 35mm, if not better.
The color of the pictures are brilliant, definitely better than some of its competitors.
The battery life is decent but it'll be more economical and environmental if you purchase a battery charger and/or AC converter.
6x optical zoom is great, although tripod will help stabilize the camera. The video mode is good, but wish that I could use zoom during taping.
The set-up for computer is very easy, just plug it and you're done. The software included isn't that great but it'll do the basic functions. Cannot use for modifying pictures. But it will rename files for you so that you can rename a group of pictures with ease (great function!).
Problems
Size: This is definitely not a pocket camera. You'll need a fairly large camera bag for this. I bought a lowepro bag that -just fits- the camera without the adaptor because I didn't want to carry a huge camera bag.
Construction: It is very plastiky, crack easily (where I attach the tripod screw).
Low Battery Signal: This comes on very late, and when I usually don't realize that my batteries are low before the camera shuts itself down.
Focus in low light setting: It is impossible to focus when the light source is not great (e.g. indoor). So you can just pray and hope you get a good picture in the dark.
Would be nice to have remote control, at least a 128mb card included, AC converter included, fully manual focus.
BIG PROBLEM: IT BROKE AFTER 1.5 YEARS.
I handled the camera like a baby, but one day out of the blue it just wouldn't work properly. When I turn it on, there's a red blur over the subjects in the viewing box and LCD screen. I don't know what happened, but for a $400 (at that time) camera, I wasn't expecting it to have an expiration date.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 450
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Fool-Proof for Absolute Beginners
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Epinions.com ID:
pshie
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Reviews written: 4
Trusted by: 0 members
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