Good camera with 2 drawbacks
Written: Dec 15 '02 (Updated Mar 27 '05)
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Pros: 6x optical zoom, AA batteries, easy point and shoot mode.
Cons: Shutter lag, cant see through LCD/EVF in the dark. #must use flash#
The Bottom Line: Great camera if you need a longer zoom and a great price. Careful of trying to take pictures in the dark though.
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| bobniborg's Full Review: FUJIFILM FinePix 3800 Digital Camera |
When you read this review please realize that I am technically challenged in camera use. I can take pictures, but I don't fully use all of a cameras features usually.
Price:
Fuji finepix 3800 was a 3.2 megapixel camera that was selling for only $300 for Xmas 2002 (most others were in the $380 ). So it was a great buy at the time. *** Update - looks like this is still one of the only 6x zooms for $300. If zoom is crucial this is a good camera for the price. If zoom isnt that important, I think some of the other cameras may be better (Camedia comes to mind) ***
Picture taking:
The fuji has a couple of different modes for taking pictures. It has a dial on top that you just turn to the camera icon and then use as a point and shoot camera (very easy for my wife or to hand to someone to take a picture of you and your family). Then there are also some options that allow you to customize some factors for more control. The camera also has some pre-set choices for sports, landscapes, portraits, etc. that you can select. After using the easy menu to select sports, you can use the camera as a point and shoot camera and it will set priorities for sports related shots (high shutter speed, etc). I've used this for landscape and portraits and I've notice a bit of an improvement from the regular point and shoot mode. I used the sports setting at a Mets game and it seemed to work fine, but I still used the flash(see next). ### Update - because the camera is basically set to ISO 100, you need to use the flash most of the times (except in bright light, usually outdoors). That is a bit of a pain because then the lag time is increased if you are using the red eye flash###
Picture Quality:
I have not yet printed enough prints to review this part, but I will update after I shoot my holiday photos. **** UPDATE **** I printed a few pictures from the holidays and they turned out just as crisp as any other pictures I have printed with a SLR or other camera. I haven't tried any larger picture size yet, but I'll try to remember to update that when I do print one. I did notice that when I edited pictures (cropping, etc) that I didn't get crisp pictures but I think that is my fault, I'm just learning to use Microsoft's Picture It and I think I was turning my pictures into lower quality files (UPDATE - yes it was an operator error, the cropped pics come out fine if you know how to use editing software). **Update - 8 x 10 prints look good too!
Zoom:
The 6x zoom (approx. 200mm in SLRs) is great and the primary reason we bought the camera. I was just frustrated when I was finally able to go to Shea Stadium to watch a Mets game (I live in California) and I had a camera that only zoomed to 80mm (approx. 2x optical in digital I believe). The 6x zoom allows you to sit in the bleaches and take photos that are large enough to see actual people (unlike the ants I got on my pictures). I plan on buying the telephoto add-on to get 12x zoom capability but I would like to hear from someone that has done that if possible. Email me at bobniborg@yahoo.com if you have purchased and used it, thanks!
Setbacks:
The shutter lag is strange to get used to. Ive only used SLRs and point and shoots before so I've never had to push the button and hold still for the 1/4th of a second (or about that) while the camera waits to actually take the picture. I'm not sure how this compares to other cameras but it takes some getting used to. **Update - I've used other digitals now and the lag seems to be the same. The reshoot lag (between your 1st and 2nd picture) seems to be a tad bit longer (1/2 a second or so) than others but the shutter speed lag (the wait time between pressing the button and the picture being take) is normal compared to other digital cameras.
Shooting pictures in the dark is nearly impossible. The flash fires and makes great pictures... but that is not the problem. The problem is when you try to line up your picture in the Electronic View Finder or the LCD you can't see anything. I have solar lights in my backyard by my waterfall, and although they are not bright, I can see the waterfall with my eyes at night. With the camera, you would think that I was taking a picture of a black hole... absolute darkness. **Update - I've noticed this on other cameras also... apparently optical view finders do not do this so if you plan on taking "dark" pictures, get a camera with an optical view finder otherwise you are shooting blind.
Overall:
So far I'm happy with the camera. I needed the 6x zoom. I like the fact that the camera lens can accept SLR filters and the accessories are cheap compared to many other things I've seen (64mb xdisc for $49 while Sony's was $69) **UPDATE - other forms of storage (scandisk) are cheaper.** Also, the Fuji uses 4 AA batteries. So if you buy 4 NiMH batters (DON'T USE NiCAD) and a charger ($29) then you are set.
Printing:
I will update this after the holidays. I plan on using snapfish.com for 29c a picture. **** UPDATE **** I printed a few pictures from the holidays and they turned out just as crisp as any other pictures I have printed with a SLR or other camera. I haven't tried any larger picture size yet, but I'll try to remember to update that when I do print one. I did notice that when I edited pictures (cropping, etc) that I didn't get crisp pictures but I think that is my fault **Update - it was my fault, pics are fine**, I'm just learning to use Microsoft's Picture It and I think I was turning my pictures into lower quality files (each picture is about 1.3 MB on the highest quality, after I edited them they were about 500 KB so I'm pretty sure it is something that I am doing).
***Update - File size: The camera allows you to store images in 4 sizes: 1mb, 2mb, 3mb, 3mb High quality). For 4x6s, I used the lowest quality and didnt notice much of a problem (tiny little blocky effects on some background stuff.. think about the difference between ninetendo and atari). 2mb was fine and of course so were the larger formats. The smallest size fits like 250 on a 64MB card while the larger stores only 50. File size is about 1.3 megs for the highest setting, and down from there.
Durability:
I'm using 4 simply because its the average of the other ratings on the camera. I haven't tested this by smacking my camera around (but if I drop it, I'll post whether it survives or not) **UPDATE - I've had the camera for a year and a half now and it seems pretty durable. I usually keep it in a case, but I swing it frequently from my neck and it has been bumped and still works fine**
On a side note, I suggest buying the little plastic film covers to protect your LCD from scratching. They are fairly cheap and mine has lasted over a year without replacement. If you scratch that LCD it is permanent without that cover.
**Last update** Well, this camera has finally met its match... a tile floor. I have had this camera for over two years and really liked it but it finally got dropped one to many times and now it no longer works. I would still recommend the camera (no camera would survive the repeated drops this one has) so don't questions its durability. I may repurchase the same camera if I don't hear of anything better**
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 305
This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Easy Enough for Anyone to Use
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Epinions.com ID:
bobniborg
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Reviews written: 9
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