The Fuji FinePix 2800 Zoom offers an innovative design, a fantastic 6x optical zoom, and great image quality--all in an incredibly small form. Fuji has clearly departed from many of the usual design cues with the 2800. Most notable is the introduction of the EVF--electronic viewfinder. This replaces the standard optical viewfinder and provides an SLR style experience. The benefits of this are more accurate image composition (as parallax differences between viewfinder and lens are avoided), a better indication of depth of field prior to taking the shot, and improved battery life over using the main LCD monitor.
The EVF is not a perfect solution, though, as the panel is not as bright or detailed as its optical counterpart, has no diopter correction for wearers of glasses, and disconcertingly freezes the image while autofocusing. However, the EVF is a useful feature and places the 2800 at the cutting edge of digital camera design.
The 2800 is exceptionally easy to use, with manual controls limited to adjusting white balance and exposure compensation. More experienced photographers will miss the ability to fine-tune aperture, shutter speed, ISO settings, etc. The 6x optical zoom is superb and makes an enormous difference to picture quality and ease of composition--it equates to a zoom range of 38-228mm on a standard 35mm camera.
Fuji has included a movie mode with sound running at 10 frames per second and at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Disappointingly, this is limited to 60 seconds of recording time, regardless of the capacity of memory card in use. It also does not make use of the optical zoom, relying instead solely on the digital zoom. Other features include voice captioning and, bizarrely on a camera of this specification, a video conferencing mode enabling you to use it as a Webcam. A notable omission however, is the lack of a video-out socket.
As you would expect from Fuji, the 2800 is straightforward to install and includes paper manuals for both the camera and the supplied software--this includes a simple viewer/organizer, QuickTime, Videoimpression, and Adobe Photodeluxe. The 2800 uses four AA alkaline (supplied) or NiMH rechargeable batteries. Fuji recommends avoiding lithium batteries as the heat discharged can damage the camera. --Nick Baxter
Pros:
- Easy to use, with automated controls
- Very good 6x optical zoom
- Electronic viewfinder (EVF) provides more accurate image composition
- Bonus feature: can be used as a Webcam
Cons:
- EVF is still a little buggy
- Movie mode does not allow use of optical zoom, only digital
Traditionally, digital cameras with powerful zoom lenses have been restricted to the middle and upper end of the market, but with the introduction of the FinePix 2800, Fuji has brought serious zoom power to an affordable, simple point-and-shoot.
Optics and Resolution
The impressive autofocus lens on the 2800 zooms a full 6x--from 38mm to 228mm. In addition, digital zoom of up to 2.5x is available, depending upon the image quality setting. If you're taking pictures at the highest resolution, digital zoom is disabled to preserve image quality, but if you're shooting at a lower resolution, then you'll be able to use some digital zoom, too.
The 2800's 2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For most amateur photographers, 2 megapixels is a great balance between image quality and cost. Some photographers prefer higher-resolution sensors so they can crop away unwanted parts at the edges of their photos. Of course, these unwanted edges are often the result of a lens that can't zoom in far enough, a situation that's less likely to come up when you're using the 2800. If 2 megapixels isn't enough detail for you, the next higher-resolution camera that still has a long-zoom lens is the Minolta DiMAGE 5.
To compose your images, either use the 1.8-inch LCD display or the electronic viewfinder (EVF). An EVF looks like a traditional viewfinder, but when you put your eye up to it, you'll find that you're actually looking at a miniature LCD display. This is the same arrangement used by many camcorders, and it has its pluses and minuses compared to a traditional viewfinder. The benefit is that you get to see all the extra information that's normally displayed on the screen (battery condition, pictures remaining, any manual settings you've entered, etc). The problem is that EVFs aren't very effective in low-light situations, which means you'll be confronted with a view screen that's completely black when shooting at night and in dimly lit rooms. With a little practice, you can learn to shoot quite effectively without the benefit of the LCD screen when this situation comes up--after taking the shot, you can review it on the screen to ensure you were pointing the camera in the right direction.
More Features
Like most of the entry-level models in Fuji's lineup, the 2800 has relatively few advanced features, but if you're feeling adventurous, you can adjust the white balance, exposure compensation, and flash mode. There's also an audio-annotation feature that lets you record up to 30 seconds of audio along with each picture you take. In addition, the camera can be used as an Internet Webcam when tethered to your computer via the included USB cable.
The camera is made of plastic for light weight and affordability, and it feels reasonably solid and durable. The lens is protected by a lens cap that's tethered to the camera so you won't lose it. This solution isn't quite as nifty as models with automatic or sliding lens covers, but it works just as well.
Power
The Finepix 2800 uses four AA batteries--a set of disposable alkaline batteries is included. The benefit to using standard AA batteries instead of a custom proprietary battery is that AA batteries are widely available, so missing a once-in-a-lifetime shot due to dead batteries won't be an issue.
If you only use the camera several times a year, high-capacity lithium batteries are a logical idea, since they'll hold their charge for years when sitting in an unused camera. If you use the camera more often, then the lithium batteries don't make economic or environmental sense--we recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a charger. A digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries extremely quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display, so they aren't recommended except in a pinch. To ensure you'll always be ready for action, we recommend having two sets of rechargeables so you can always have one set in the camera and the other set in the charger.
Movie Mode
In movie mode, the camera captures 320 x 240 video clips with audio for up to 60 seconds per clip. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.
Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on standard SmartMedia cards, and the included 16 MB card holds approximately 39 images at the camera's default settings. SmartMedia cards are reusable, but if you tend to take more than 39 images per outing (on a vacation, for example), then you'll want a bigger card. A 64 MB card is a great size for this camera, storing around 150 images. To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera. Your computer should automatically recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive.
Size
At 3.7 by 3.0 by 2.8 inches and 13 ounces, the 2800 is surprisingly compact. It's a little thicker from front to back than some models, but this is a small price to pay for the extra zoom.
Contents and Recommended Accessories
The package includes the camera, four AA alkaline batteries, video and USB cables, shoulder strap, 16 MB SmartMedia card, and software on CD.
Everything you need to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a carrying case, a higher-capacity memory card, and a battery charger plus a set or two of NiMH rechargeable size AA batteries. Compatible accessories for this camera are listed near the top of this page. --Shane Burnett
Pros:
- 6x optical zoom is outstanding for its price
- Unusually good movie mode--up to 60 seconds with sound
- Point-and-shoot operation makes it easy for even beginners to get great results
Cons:
- Included alkaline batteries are only a short-term solution; rechargeable batteries are a necessity
- Lack of manual controls may frustrate more advanced photographers
1 Not a night camera
This camera looks and works great, and for a long time, I had no issues with it whatsoever. The pictures were sharp, and of decent high resolution. Until I took this camera with me to Las Vegas, to take some night pictures. It worked fine when taking close-up night shots with a flash, but when taking long distance pictures, it became practically useless. First, distant images with flash enabled appear dark and blurry. If you disable the flash, images come out nice and colorful. Except they look like someone with Parkinson's disease was holding the camera - the lights are smeared everywhere - even if you stand still as a statue. Now, I know what you're thinking - "just decrease exposure time", right? I'd love to do that, if that was an available option.
Of the 200 pictures I took, only 2 were useable (and even then, blurry)
2 Only had it for one year and it's broken...
I advise anyone to avoid purchasing this camera! I will say that it worked just fine for the first 8 months, and then I experienced a major flaw that seems to have happened several times to other owners ('zoom error'). The camera lens remains retracted and the camera will no longer function. I was able to somehow get it to work again (after periods of turning on and off, removing batteries and replacing them....etc...), but that was aggravating and I no longer had a reliable camera. It now does not work at all no matter what I try.
After reading reviews from other disappointed owners, I am not even going to check into repairing it and I will never buy a fujifilm camera again.
3 design flaw
I've had this camera for a couple of years, and up until now have been pleased. The last time that I powered it up, the lense housing extended at a crooked angle, and I got a "zoom error" message. The camera is now inoperable. It seems many others on the web have experienced this as well. I contacted the nearest Fuji authorized repair center and was quoted $120 to fix the camera. I might as well buy a new one for that money (not a Fuji though).
4 Great camera with a great price
I bought this camera after much research and after purchasing(and returning) a few other cameras. This camera takes very good pictures and is very easy to use. It comes with a detailed and easy to understand instruction manual. I would recommend this camera to anyone, especially for first time digital camera buyers. The only bad thing about it is it only came with a 16 MB smart media card, so if you take tons of pics you might need a larger card. I would also recommend rechargeable batteries!!
5 higher megapixels...who needs them?
For the money this camera is an excellent value. My first digital was a FujiFilm FinePix A201, with only a 2.5 digital zoom and 2 mp, great for starters but I really didn't like any of the pictures taken with it. I guess the magic is in the zoom, because the 2800 takes crystal clear, super sharp pics that I thought were only possible with either a 35 mm or a ridiculously-overpriced camera with 3 times the megapixels. I like the 35 mm-style casing, it makes it look like a much more expensive camera, and of course FujiFilm's very simple to use menus. The interface with my computer is quick and painless and I had a beautiful shot, from shutter to printed copy, in less than 5 minutes. My only complaint so far has been the delayed shutter speed, not very good for taking pics of animals that don't stay still long, but I can live with this. Others complain about the viewfinder being too dim indoors, and this is also true, but like another review pointed out, the film is cheap while you experiment.
For beginners who want professional-looking prints, this is the camera to use.
6 Great camera!!!
This is my first digital camera. It is a little big for a digital camera more comparable to a 35mm in size. It is simple to operate and even simple to download pictures on computer! That is one of the reasons I got it is to email pictures to friends and family, it is perfect for that. I keep it on the lowest megapixel setting to be able to email more pictures, otherwise it is too big to send. I purchased a 128 mb card and have taken more than 200 pictures with still more room available!
The only negative area is the ability to see what you are taking a picture of in low light setting. You just have to aim and shoot and hope you didn't cut off anyones head! Make sure to use the auto focus or your pictures will be off focus! Found that out the hard way! Not good for action shots, You miss the picture by the time you focus and take the picture. Someone needs to make an affordable camera that takes action pictures better.
The zoom is AWESOME!!! It makes editing even better!
The next digital camera I would get would be smaller and I would want quicker shutter speed. Other than that I think this camera is great!!!
7 Cheap, Flimsy, Not made to last!!!
I had my Fuji Finepix for 6 months before I set it down to answer the phone one day and came back to it a few minutes later and the power would no longer turn on. No problem, I'm thinking - Its under warranty. I took it in for repair and one month later I was told that the camera had had water damage and the motherboard was fried and the warranty was voided and it could not be repaired.
First of all, there was no water damage. I had used it outside earlier that day for about three minutes when it had been lightly snowing. A couple of flakes of snow hit this thing and its fried? What a piece of crap! My old digital camera, an Olympus, had had an entire cup of water accidentally spilled on it - to the point where it had water inside the screen for a week, and is STILL working 3 years later.
Its OK because I never liked this camera anyway - it was 3 years newer than my Olympus, but was less sensitive to light and took blurry pictures, (even outside in full daylight!) which my Olympus never did. I was always frustrated with it and this gives me the perfect excuse to buy another brand - I'm just very upset that I lost all the money I paid for it 6 months in!
8 JUNK CAMERA BROKE DOWN SAVE YOURSELF FROM TROUBLE
I bought this camera two years ago for $400. It was taking good pictures except those issues with indoor and pictures at night. Now i suddenly get this zoom error and my camera refuse to retract the lens. I send it to fuji for repair. They want $140 for repair. Camera itself costs 200 now with one year warranty. I think this is junk camera with some cheap parts. don't buy this just, keep yourself away from the hassels.
9 Good Value, Good Pictures/Movies
Howdy again folks. I have to say that this Camera is worth its gold. I bought two 2800's for Xmas on Ebay and another dealer, and I like to say that I tested the cameras (after they were opened) and after testing the longevity of the batteries, I will say the batteries last and long time, compared to some digital cameras that eat batteries for lunch (Canon A60 for example. My friend and my sister both loved the little camera and said it was so cute, and there friends loved the smallness.
The quality of the pictures are great, considering that it is a 2.0 MP camera. But with Fuji film, they almost always make pictures sharper then what they should be. I will always give thumbs up for Fuji film for its picture quality, no matter the MP limit.
I will have to say, even though this camera is small and cute, its not meant for putting in your pocket or shirt pocket (unless you want this big lump on your chest). But that would be my only complaint. I haven't tested this camera for dropping (since everybody always drops there camera at one time or another). But judging from the design of the camera, if you drop on the sides, you are fine, but I don't know what would happen I you dropped it on its front.
Movie mode is nice. The sound is vibrant, and the speaker picks up little things that you might not catch normally.
Other then that, good camera. Highly recommend for outdoors and reliabilty.
10 No good
I bought this camera and treated it very well. After a year and a half of low to moderate use, the lens won't retract.
11 It keeps breaking down
I bought the camera 18 months ago (June/02). It has broken down twice. The first time (under warranty)was unable to download pictures from the camera to the PC. The USB cable would not seat properly where it connected to the camera. In any event, I had to send the camera to the Edison repair facility. It took 2 months for the camera to get back to me - no charge except the cost of shipping. The camera broke down again in September 03 (out of warranty). This time, no power - simply stopped working. So, once again, off to Edison, NJ for repair. I'm still waiting for the estimate.
Maybe I have a lemon. I like the camera when it's working - it just seems to be spending as much time in the shop as with me.
12 A good friend
Well what can I add on the subject of this camera.
It looks good, performs good, and by God it is good for the price.
I bought mine after a lot of searching on the net regarding reviews.
By the way mine was bought in Hong Kong and a lot of dealers tried to upgrade me to a more expensive one but I stood firm as this was my first digital camera.
I have had it just over one year now and thought I would upgrade to a more expensive one, but changed my mind because this does what I want it to do with great results and is a good friend to me as a novice.
By the way the finepix software is also very good for a learner to get by with.
No camera case at this price is no big deal either, along with a 6* zoom and 60 secs of movie with sound why sell on as it will be missed as the first you have tried?
Anyway mine will be given as a gift to a novice family person when I decide to part with it.
A word of warning is that this camera is small and clumsy to handle for a person with big hands like me, and I think one drop on a hard floor will see it off.
I use the neck strap for extra protection.
Forget the mentions of the little things like lcd light and no case.
At this price and a first digital camera Fuji have done a good job, and the pictures, well just WOW for a novice like me, and others to show friends.
13 Versatile and performant.
I love this little gem. It is versatile, performant, lets you fine-tune all the settings or automate the whole picture-taking process. Powerful zoon, crystal-clear shots in Macro mode. There are a lot of features to play with. You gotta try it.
14 Very good pix
I got this camera from DELL as a mistake. This camera is only 2.0 mega pix and the one they were going to send me is a 4.0 mega pix. The sent me the new camera, a kodak easy share with 4.0 mega pix...I cannot tell the differance. ALSO, I find the FinePix easy to use and has a 6x true zoom, unlike the kodak that has a 3x true zoom, then digital up to 10x. So in other words, buy this one. I just licked out and got both for the price of one. One bad thing about the FinePix is that it takes batterys and cannot use other lenses, both suck if you are a camera nut. The Kodak can take many new lenses and is rechargeable.
15 Cute Camera!
This camera is really cute. it has the look of a mini-camera but actually works great! the only bad thing is that there is a short delay between when you press the shutter button and when it actually takes the picture. Also, it needs a lot of extra memory because it only stores 30 pictures with the built in memory. The camera is easy to use and small and has the video feature which is very convienient. I would recommend the camera to beginners and amateurs looking for a cute, fun camera.
16 Finepix 2800
Excellent camera for anything but low light! Excellent results with the movie mode, which has sound. It will also playback movies with sound. can also replace a camcorder. I have had this camera for almost 2 years. 6X optical zoom is handy.
17 UPDATE
Though I still loved my camera till the day I killed it, you need to be careful with the extended lens. I set mine down on the seat in my boat and it fell while turned on, and the lens twisted, giving me ZOOM ERROR. It still takes pictures at non-zoom settings, but it will cost the price of a new camera to repair. So take it for what it's worth... just keep in mind that the long extended lens is a delicate item.
My next digital camera will most likely be a Fuji because you'll have a hard time beating the quality of photos that I've been printing up for almost a year now.
18 Amazing value and quality
I wanted a digital camera to keep my folks and in-laws at bay with regard to frequent demands for pictures of their grand-daughters. The USB connection to the PC and the nice all-around FinePix software that this camera comes with, allows me to do that with no hassles. The software also can e-mail photos directly, and it automatically makes the photos a manageable file size for attachments. So, for example, a 300kb photo will e-mail as a 80kb photo and still retain great quality in the e-mail.
I was also looking for a camera that had decent optical zoom capability because we are often outdoors and I like the flexibility of close-in as well as wide shots. This camera has a very capable 6X optical zoom which I have enjoyed using.
Finally, as any parent of young children knows, it is really difficult to get them to sit still. This camera offers a 60-second video capability, which has often come in handy to capture my kids at play or doing something silly.
I have received a lot of compliments on the camera's images.
Some minor drawbacks - in dark conditions, the camera has trouble picking out images to auto-focus on. I get around this by pointing it a nearby light source that is roughly the same distance to the camera as my subject. In addition, there can be a maddening 1 to 2 second delay in capturing and saving an image. But you learn to live with it - and sometimes what you clicked on is not what you get in the image, but you get used to that, and many times the image you got is better than the original. Also, it is not slim enough to fit in a purse - so it usually goes at my side in a pouch or in a backpack.
Overall an excellent and highly recommended all-around digital camera.
19 I Love My Camera
I really can't say enough good things about this camera. I have used it in many different lighting situations. Including taking pictures of fireworks. The macro feature is great. I have always loved taking experimental close ups of my flowers but was prohibited by the cost of film and developing. The camera does work longest and at its best with rechargeable nimh batteries but they too are worth the price. Even if I choose to upgrade to a higher mp camera, I'll still keep this one. Its easy to use and a lot of fun.
20 This is one heckova camera
I love it, I absolutely love it.
I have had the camera for just over 3 weeks. I took it on vacation with me and never having read the instruction book
I was able to figure out how to use it in minutes. Quality of photos is outstanding and the 6x zoom is increadable. I took a lot of seascape photos as well as some beach shots and that zoom really came in handy.
I had no problems with the viewfinder as others stated they have, perhaps because I didn't take any night shots but inside shots were no problem.
What really surprised me was that it is not necessary to install the software that comes with the camera so long as you are running XP. I simply plugged the up usb ports and XP found the camera, no program to mess with.
Even with all of these positive comments the reason I rated it a 4 instead of a 5 is because of the way the shutter button and the off/on button are located. I continually pressed the off button instead of the shutter button until I got used to it.
At this point in time I feel this is a great camera and for the price, I paid less than half of the going price, and I really rate it a 4.9
21 Great Camara... except for low light situations
I've had this camara for a few months now and it takes great pictures! Fantastic color. The 6X zoom lens works fabulous. The only downfall is it's operation in low light situations. Your target is difficult if not impossible to seen through the electronic view finder and the flash doesn't always sense that it needs to go off.
22 Best camera I've ever used!
This camera takes great outdoor photos and beautiful portraits. I recommend this camera to any amature photographer who is looking for a good camera with a low price. HAVE FUN!
23 2800 camera
If it worked I think it would be great
24 Compact little powerhouse with great looks too
This is my first digital camera, and based on my experience, I would definitely stick with the Fuji brand for my next upgrade.
Everytime you take it out people comment on how small, and how well designed it is, and because of this you can take it anywhere easily, and whip it out at a moments notice.
I find that it takes the best pictures at high resolution, but of course you have to get extra memory cards and rechargeable batteries. (You'll need them)
In low light conditions you don't see your subject very well, so it's mostly guesswork, but you just take lots of shots and delete what you don't like. I had some red eye problems on lower resolutions.
When you use the flash, I find that it takes too long to reset,causing some missed shots. It's also difficult to take pictures of a moving child, and I've taken a lot of blurs and empty frames to prove it. I sometimes find my son "too fast for digital" when trying to take pictures of him.
This camera is excellent for travel photos, especially scenery, and the zoom feature is impressive.
You need to be careful when you're zooming, because if something (like a child's hand) accidentally hits the barrel, you can damage the roller, the lens can no longer move to focus, and the camera has to be sent for repairs. (This is from personal experience)
All in all a great "idiot-proof" camera that can be used by amateurs, yet gives great results, especially panoramic views.
25 No Regrets
Until now I have always been a die hard Nikon fan, but this Fuji has really impressed me. I get compliments all the time from people who sees the prints it makes, and when I let people borrow my camera, they always like it.
I bought this camera when it 1st came out, and paid $400+ for it. Even at that price, I have no regrets whatsoever about purchasing this gem of a camera. It is a perfect size, and takes beautiful pictures. I bought it mostly because it has a through-the-lens viewfinder, but I also enjoy all of the many features I wasn't even expecting. The macro feature is super. My home printer is not great, so when I want really good prints I take my memory card to my local Kit's Camera. The prints I get back are not grainy at all - they look just as good or better than the pics I take with my old Nikon 35mm SLR.
It is fully automatic, but also has manual overrides if you want to use them. The auto settings are usually great unless you're doing something artistic. You can even take pics indoors, and they will not look yellow. I take pictures of architectural models indoors, so a colorbalance feature was important for me.
VERY easy to use - much easier than most other digital cameras out there. You should also get a battery charger - it will save you money in the long run (only negative point about camera is that it goes through batteries quickly). I also bought a card reader, and it makes transferring the pics to my computer really easy. Card readers go for $20 at any electronics store, and plug into a usb port.
I think this camera is worth every penny I paid for it. I reccomend this model to anyone who wants the convenience of a digital and the clarity of a traditional 35mm SLR.
No Regrets!
26 Fuji FinePix 2800 Zoom Digital Camera
I love this camera! I recently used it at my sons kindergarten graduation and was the envy of the crowd. A couple of people inquired as to what type of camera I was using. I took both still and movie pictures. My family loved the short films and pics that I was able to quickly send them via email. This camera makes taking pictures fun again! Good job Fuji.
27 great performance for the price!
this camera is an excellent choice for either your switch from a SLR or just as your first digital camera. Its easy to use and has excellent quality. The 6x optical zoom and digital view finder are great. the digital view finder allows additional battery life instead of using the battery hungry LCD screen. mpeg playbacks and sound bites are fantastic. other cameras with these specs cost so much more. this is a great buy. just make sure you pick up some rechargeable batteries and a larger memory card before you start having fun.
28 Great camera-great price
I Purchased this camera late July 2002. I used it heavily through the holidays. It goes through a set of 4 batteries about every 16 to 20 mb of pictures give or take for flash or not. I bought a 128 mb card for it and it's good for 266 pics in the medium mode. I think I used 4 sets of batteries for the whole card. I am very pleased with this camera. It is very user friendly. It takes high quality pics even on the medium setting. I print very nice 8x10 pics from this camera, 4x6 even better. Would I buy it again? You bet I would.
29 Best I can find for this price
I love this small silver camera. It takes pictures with really high quality. I also bought 4 1200ma batteries and a 128m memory card for it. When I went out for a field trip the batteries lasted for more than 3 days. I took hundreds of pictures. Although I did not take pictures with the highest quality this camera can make, they look excellent. It is amazing. All I can say is that I made a right choice.
30 Best I can find for this price
I love this small silver camera. It takes pictures with really high quality. I also bought 4 1200ma batteries and a 128m memory card for it (about $80). When I went out for a field trip the batteries lasted for more than 3 days. I took hundreds of pictures. Although I did not take pictures with the highest quality this camera can make (only 1megapixel), they look excellent with bright color. They are very sharp. It is amazing. All I can say is that I made a right choice.
31 A camera for just about all basic needs
Well I've taken about 150 pictures now and I am completely impressed. Picture perfect colors and crispness. LCD is hard to see in darker settings. In most settings pictures come out great. Even when zoomed in all the way, pictures are still sharp and clear. Dim flourescent lighting can produce dark pictures but other than that, it's a great camera. Get it if you can find it!
32 Great Camera! Great Price!
I went to several big name (and supposedly reasonably priced) electronics stores and found this camera priced...higher. I got it here for almost [a lot] less than the big name places. Some stores didn't have this model at all. I love this camera! Easy to use (my 11 year old can use it without help), it's compact and produces FABULOUS pictures. I didn't care for all the extra software that got loaded onto my computer by the FinePix software program CD. It doesn't even give you a choice as to whether you want all that extra stuff. We just loaded it, then deleted what we didn't want. Other than that little inconvenience, it's a great camera.
33 Takes great picture!
I love this camera. It's not another 2MP digital camera. It takes amazingly great picture with great color. This is my first digital camera, and I compared mine with my friends' camera, and this is definitely the best for the money.
34 Awesome little camera
I have had this camera for about 24 hours, so I hope I am not jumping the gun. I have put it through all the tests, and this is a very remarkable camera. Everything is easy to use, pictures are crisp, camera is nice and lightweight, USB connection was a snap (w/XP) and EXTREMELY fast compared to my last digital camera (a very nice surprise). The reviewer from Arizona was doing something wrong, because I live in AZ as well, and as soon as I read her review I brought the camera out in the sun and the pictures came out awesome.
The reason the camera lost one star is because everything they say about low light or night photos is true. Its the cameras only downfall. The LCD and the viewfinder become useless. More than likely, the autofocus won't work either. If it wasn't for that, this camera would have gotten a 5 star rating.
35 terrific!!
We received this camera for a wedding present and it is absolutely wonderful. The pictures are clear and defined, even in zoom. It is also quite easy to operate and the size and shape of the camera make it comfortable to hold. We paired it with a new HP photo printer and the images are equal to or better than that of 35mm. Really!!
36 I have to vote thumbs down....
This camera has some wonderful features, especially for the price. However, the big down fall is Fuji failed to incorporate an optical viewfinder. This makes it nearly impossible in very bright conditions (like the Arizona sun) and dark conditions (any indoor activity with low lighting) to see what you are shooting. You can point and re-take as many times as you need, but I missed too many shots this way. This was my third digital camera, and I returned it because although the prints were beautiful and clear, and I loved the zoom, it wasn't worth sacrificing my compositions for. I played with all the controls to try and adjust, but the only solution was either a tripod or bring your own lighting. I exchanged it for a Canon and am very pleased with it. It has less features and zoom, but at least I can set my picture up the way I want it, the first time. I do miss the XP picture card though- that was extremely fast download and shutter time.
37 All my friends envy me
All I can say is that I love this little camera. All of my friends envy that I can make simply excellent pictures with it. Excellent optics. Especially valuable is the 6x zoom feature. The only thing that I miss is the ability to see objects in my camera when its dark (when you take a shot in a drak room you do not really see what you will picture). But it is manageable.
38 Great camera!
This is my 2nd digital camera. My first was the ephoto 780c by AGFA. No zoom, with just under 1mp, took decent pictures for a no frills camera. After dropping it one too many times, it was time to get a new camera. After reading a ton of reviews, I decided on Fuji's 2800.
When I first picked it up I thought it felt too light, almost toy like. This is no toy! Going from under 1mp to 2mp is a huge jump. The pictures are crisp, clear and with vibrant colors.
My only complaints are,1) the view finder/lcd is usless in low light. This makes taking pictures indoors or at night pretty much a guessing game. Very surprising coming from a camera of this caliber.And 2)you cannot preview the picture you just took and disgard it if you want before going on to the next picture. You'll have to change the setting, look for the picture and then delete it. If you aren't paying attention, you could erase the everything! Who wants to sift though a bunch of BAD pictures if you can get rid of them from the get go?!
Other than those 2 things, this camera rocks!
39 Works for me!!
This camera was my first digital camera purchase. My decision was between this Fuji and a Kodak that has received good reviews. I'm glad I went with the Fuji. I love the way this camera fits in your hand. I haven't had any of the problems with the lens cap that other reviewers have mentioned. It's a little quirky in low light coniditions, but I think almost all digital cameras are. I also really like the video feature - and I actually use it! Great camera.
40 Nice camera for just about anything.
I did a lot of research before making this purchase and read a lot of reviews. The most important feature in my book was the 6X optical zoom. The auto focus is right on and the pre-focus option, (holding the shutter button down halfway) is a nice touch. One of my friends was so impressed with mine that he ordered one yesterday, (and Amazon still has the best price). I must say that although the camera is everything I hoped it would be there are a couple minor details that can be a little bothersome.
I find that it is difficult to take action shots while using the zoom. Much like a Single Lens Reflex camera, when the shutter is released the viewfinder goes black (something I hadn't considered) so it is nearly impossible to track a moving target. With some practice however I found that with good lighting the photos are crisp and clear. As long as the camera is kept still, it performs well in low light conditions and the flash is more than adequate. I don't care for the software but that is just my opinion.
I suggest that you buy a 128 MB card and some high capacity Nickel Metal Hydride batteries and charger. I used this camera every last week and I haven't changed them yet. I can't wait to take it on a hike this spring.
By far my biggest problem with the 2800 is that I don't get enough time with it since everyone else wants to use it ;)
Anyone who wants an easy to use camera that takes excellent photographs should consider this one first.
41 super buy!!
This is a super camera, so easy to use. From out of the box to snapping pictures was a matter of minutes. Install the software FIRST as instructed, then quickly plug in the USB cord, it will open the images, load them to a website, email them or your can send them to your harddrive. It opens a fold in My Pictures for you. You just check which pictures you want to keep and which you want to get rid of. You have the option of keeping the images on the smart card or you can erase them.
So from box to shooting a few minutes, about 5 to install and reboot. Second to plug in to the computer and instant pictures of SUPER quality. I could not believe how sharp the images were.
You are able to chose to look threw the lens to set it up as with regular SLR. Or you can compose by looking at the LCD image. Once the image is snapped it shows you a copy on the LCD viewer so you can see the shot. It has 6 times zoom and auto flash. Even has microphone setting and you can take small movies with and play them in quick time.
Do recommend adding the 125MB smart card and you can snap till your hearts content!
This is just amazing for this price!
42 love this camera!
I've been putting off buying digital. I liked my old trusty 35mm. In December I bought the FinePix 2800 from Amazon. It is great indoors and out, snow/water/pets/people - it takes great pictures. DO buy the rechargeable batteries and a back up set They last much longer than the regular batteries, and the power cord for downloading is a necessity. It was easy to learn how to operate it. There is a slight difference in taking a picture of a moving object but I got the knack of it after a few photos.
43 Terrific camera, great value
If you want a great camera, amazing zoom, enough resolution and [inexpensive] memory - nothing can beat this camera.
Extremely simple to use, with very powerful features, it produces excellent images and consumes very little battery power - especially if you use NiMH batteries. It even works on Linux without a hitch. Can you ask for more?
Yes. It does not have manual high speed shutter controls. Bummer, but I can certainly live with it. This device rocks!
44 Fuji Does It All
I am very pleased with all the features this camera offers. Very smart choice indeed. It has great zoom as well as close ups. I was able to take super sharp pictures of honey bees on the flowres. Consider adding more memory and a tripod for ultimate capacity and precision. With some mastering it takes special effect photos too. Go For it.
45 Fantastic
I had been researching digital cameras in the under [price] range for over 6 months. I wanted something with awesome resolution and something that catches color realistically. I finally found it in this little beauty. It defiantly had the "most bang for your buck".
I am so thrilled with the Fuji FinePix 2008Z and after having a lesser dig. camera several years ago, the technology has certainly improved by leaps and bounds. I am happy with my second digital camera. The range, versatility, ease of operation & dynamic colors can't be beat. I can't put it down! Plus the software that accompanies it is easy and helpful.
The only thing you need to look out for is lighting while using its nifty digital camera feature. Make sure you can get as much light on as possible while filming indoors or the 60 sec film looks terribly dark & bleak.
Other than that, the size is wonderful, (it fits very comfortably in hand); the sexy silver body is so darned cute I leave it out near my computer so I can look at it all the time! Don't worry about not liking this camera; I don't think it's possible.
46 Highly recommend!!!
This is a GREAT camera. The comments about the dark viewfinder are true - it is very hard to see in low light. The image is being viewed thru the lens, not thru a clear glass like non-electronic viewfinders. Otherwise, the camera is exceptional. Most all the controls are automatic, but this setting takes perfect pictures in all light situations. FINALLY - a digital camera with a healthy zoom!!!
47 Great Entry Level Family Digital Camera
I did not have alot of knowledge about Digital Cameras but knew that it was time to try one. After reading many reviews, I decided to go with this one based zoom capabilities, personal recommendations and of course, price (which was about $50 more when I bought it 6 months ago!) I had been using a nice little 35mm point and shoot and was afraid I would sacrifice the zoom and clarity. I have been very turned off by the grainy resolution of digital photos that my friends get from their digital cameras so I was PLEASANTLY surprised to see that I get NONE of that. Especially when using my zoom lens - which limits how much cropping I would do. The only negative thing I can say about this camera is that taking pictures in dark or very dim lighting is difficult because of the EVF which is not a lens that you can view through. The pictures still come out okay, but you have to see them after taking the picture. The size and shape of the camera took some getting used to but I absolutely love it now.... Also, I have found that it is more cost effective to take my smartmedia out to print my photos or upload them to an online photo center. You would never know that the 4x6 prints are from a digital camera, and that's what I wanted.
I do reccommend a 64mb smartmedia or larger (2 64s would be ideal!) Video takes up alot of space. NIMH rechargeables are a must.
48 Excelent Camera
I take pictures with this camera for my personal use and for my website and works great! The color and resolution in the photos are excelent. The 6X Optical Zoom made the photos clear and brilliant and the movie feature it's ok for a digital camera. I use a lot the feature bonus (Webcam) to videoconference and is a great plus. This camera worth the price.
49 Great Camera for the price
Just received my camera and could not wait to start taking pictures. Nicely packaged and easy to get out of the box. Once out of the box it was easy and quick to learn how to use my new Fuji. I started with some inside photos and then some outside photos, and I could not beleive the quality of the pictures. When I transfered them to my CPU I was quickly emailing photos to family and friends of all the snow. The zoom brought some birds eating in the snow way closer than my old Cannon ever could. Even though that is and always will be a great camera. I recommend the 64 MB smart card even though I never exceeded the 16 MB capacity. I cannot wait to take the camera to a sports event and get some great pictures. Way to Go FUJI, great camera for the money.
50 Fine Aperture - but for what?
OK, in a nutshell- This camera takes great quality photos rich in color. The detail really does rival that of higher MP cameras.
Much of this can be attributed to two factors. First, the 6X Optical zoom allows the photographer to bring the shot to them without the distortion that is caused by a Digital zoom. Second, the lens Aperture, the size of the lens opening, is by far the largest of any digital camera I have seen in this price range. This large aperture gives the camera a greater light gathering ability and contributes to vivid color reproduction.
The camera's case is made of plastic, which may seem flimsy to some, and will probably scratch if not handled carfully. If you plan on accompanying the 'crock hunter' on an outback photoshoot any time soon, I recommend finding a camera with a metal casing.
The on-screen menus are logical and easy to navigate. The menus can be seen via the LCD (display screen) or the EVF (viewfinder). This camera has many amatuer features and they all work great. The movie feature has decent quality video (for a digicam) and good sound.
Because the viewfinder is electronic and it's source is the zoom lens, this camera is effectively a digital SLR, which means that the image you see is exactly the image you get -a great plus.
Considering this cameras large aperture lens, it is surprising that this camera's main drawback is it's display performance in low light situations. Both the LCD and EVF are useless at night, and indoor shots may become difficult under low light conditions. This may make it difficult to take advanced shots, as it may be impossible lock the focus on your subject properly. The flash will ensure that the pictures come out great, though, and its not like your wasting film if your subject isn't centered properly. Just fire away! Still its a major shortfall.
Software works fine, but you may want to use something you're more familiar with.
Get a set of Nickel Metal Hydride rechargable batteries. The higher the mAh the better as this determines how long the batteries will last per charge. I have found a set of 1800mAh batteries and they work great.
51 Great option for the novice
Purchased this camera after weeks of searching for the best deal. The general consensus is that the camera performs poorly in low-light situations which is true however my experience leads me to believe that it's the type of light that the camera is picking up. Regular incandescent bulbs are for somereason hard for the camera to pick up while the same low light in a flourescent bulb is picked up very well.
I began using the camera immediately upon arrival without so much as opening the instruction manual. Camera receives 5 stars for ease of use. The pictures are superb, clear, clean and vibrant. Batteries do run down very quickly so I do recommend purchasing rechargeable which can be done very inexpensively.
The options found on this model including the 6x optical zoom are a great bargain. Other than low light performance you will not be dissatisfied with your purchase.
52 A Big Mistake
After doing a lot of research on the Net, I thought; "ok the lighting is not good and the display is dark, but a lot of people really liked the camera", plus Radio Shack has them on sale this week .... Well I should have taken these reviews more seriously.
I bought the Fuji 2800 camera to replace my old trusted Kodak 240 digital camera. I wanted better zoom and a newer camera with the cool new features.
What I got was a camera that did not take low light pictures very well at all and many of my pictures were out of focus. You might say, well I can live with the low light, I COULD NOT! I need a camera that produces quality pictures regardless of light. And my pictures were fuzzy. NOT good Fuji! Did you rush this one out the door or what.
After calling Fuji's Customer service they told me that I had a defective product and to return it.(Being in denial I thought, maybe I was doing something wrong, because this camera had the zoom I really wanted.) I did not really want to look at another Fuji after that dissappointing ordeal.
...
53 Great Little Camera
This camera takes excellent photos in all quality (image size) settings.
Downloads are easy and the program offers a slide presentation which is useful when viewed by a large group.
My only complaint is that this little unit is power hungry. Alkalines and rechargeable last about the same amount of time allowing 30 - 50 shots depending on shooting mode (flash vs. no flash).
54 An Inside Disappointment
I was so excited when I first got this camera in the mail. I was impressed with how simple it was to use and the amenities it offered. And then I tried to use it inside. Under normal lighting conditions. That's when my excitement turned to disappointment. The electronic viewfinder and the LCD came out very dark, almost to the point that you couldn't see what it was you were taking a picture of. No matter how much light I added, it wasn't enough. Oddly, it did not suffer under flourescent light (I found out when I went to the store to see if it was just my camera or what). Since I bought a digital camera to use primarily for snapshot purposes, I needed it to be suitable in snapshot conditions. To its credit, the pictures turned out fine with the flash and even with a little longer exposure, but not being able to see clearly what I was shooting in the beginning was very frustrating. The electronic viewfinder doesn't leave you with any way to get around the darkness, as a glass viewfinder would. The problem with the dark scenes was too much for me. I returned this camera and opted for one with a glass viewfinder to be safe! Aside from this problem, I would have loved this camera, but it was too big a problem to ignore or work around for me.
55 Well worth it!
Best photo quality and features for the cost I've seen yet!
Small, lightweight, easy to use and long battery life. I saved almost $100.00 over " Discount Store " prices at Amazon!
Only two drawbacks that I've noticed are; 1. The image in the electronic viewfinder freezes for a second while focusing.
2. Having to navigate through menus to do most things like macro shots. But these are minor and easy to get used to.
Put this camera together with a 128 Mb Smart Media card and Ni-MH rechargeable batteries and you've got one heck of a unit. I'm loving every shot!!
56 Prefer this camera to my Canon Powershot A40 (I own both)
I'll keep this review short and sweet. As a bit of background, I have been shooting and developing my own 35mm film for the past 29 years (strictly as a hobbyist), shooting mostly with older, manual-focus Olympus and Canon SLR's. I purchased both this camera and the Canon Powershot A40 from Amazon in the summer of 2002. I definitely prefer the Fuji. Why?
1) Superior optics (in my humble opinion). I shot dozens of pics
of the same subject matter, at the same distance, with the same
focal length and lighting within seconds of each other in order
to compare the results side-by-side. The Fuji pics were in all
cases noticably sharper and more accurately exposed. Colors
with the Fuji were also more accurate, and with better
saturation. Shadow details are better w/the Fuji also.
2) Macro capabilites. The Fuji's focusing distance in macro mode
is closer than that of the Canon A40 and again, the Fuji
produced sharper, more accurately exposed pics.
3) Focal length. The Fuji wins hands down with a 6x optical zoom
versus the Canon's 3x optical zoom.
4) Ease of use. Again, the Fuji has the edge. Simpler operation
(especially for novices and casual users)than the Canon, though
admittedly lacking some of the Canon's more advanced features/
options.
Don't get me wrong, the Canon Powershot A40 is a decent camera and offers manual operation, which the Fuji does not (albiet in a somewhat limited manner with only a couple of shutter speeds available when shooting manually). I would also say that the Canon's low-light, night shot capabilities are superior to those of the Fuji as long as you're using a tripod. Canon's photo stitch technology is also a nice touch for super-wide panorama shots. Those pluses aside, I feel the Fuji FinePix 2800 is the overall superior camera for the reasons I have stated above and should be on your short list if you're looking for a simple to use, point-and-shoot digital camera capable of taking razor-sharp pics at a reasonable price. Add to that the only 6x optical zoom in it's class, and you just can't do better than the Fuji.
Now what was that I was saying about keeping this short and sweet? ;)
57 too DARK!
This camera is easy to operate and simple to the point which is a PLUS in my book. However, the LCD and the view finder is too dark. For example, I would take a picture indoor at night and after adjusting the manual option on EV, white balance, and brightness on LCD and view finder, I still could not find the object on the LCD or view finder I wanted to take. It was pitch black even after I had the whole place lit up. After taking the picture guessing where everyone or everything is, the picture result is too bright. Most of them turned out to be a white blurr. This is not a camera I will recommend to anyone. Sorry.
58 useless
This camera is totally useless in low light situations. Only good for outside. It also takes too long to take the picture after you press the button. I took it back and got an Olympus and it is 100% better
59 Great camera with one flaw
Love the camera. Easy to use. Takes great quality photos. However it is Awful in low light conditions and if I had to do everything again that would make me look elsewhere.
60 I love this Camera
I have found this little camera to be a GREAT buy...
My pictures are clear and detailed, close ups are
"Fantastic"........I would highly recommend this
product...!!!
61 Great - got what I expected
I didn't want anything fancy, so I didn't feel like shelling out the $999.99 required for most of the "good" digital cameras out there. I think I lucked out with this unit. I've had it for about three months now and love it. Wonderful colour, convenient and as versatile as I need it to be. Sure, as other reviews have stated, the LCD is a little dim (or black) in low-light conditions, but I can deal with it. If I'm desperate to take a picture in the dark I'll use my tripod, shine a light on the scene to get proper focusing, and off I go. By the way, I've been able to get fantastic dusk/night shots with a tripod.
I can't complain about the picture quality - sure, it's not as good as other cameras, but I doubt I'll ever look back and regret having used this camera to document my year.
62 Good condition & sharp pictures Fp2800z (Koray Mutlu)
+ easy shooting on automatic mode.
+ clear and sharp photo
+ video recording with sound.
+ with speaker (watch and listen video file)
- manual mode is less.
- bad focusing in night shoot.
63 Issues: lens cap, on/off buttons, no image sequencing
I love the design of this camera. It fits perfectly in your hands! The interace on it is easy to understand, too - even without reading the manual, and I love the zoom lens capabilities. You can close in on your subject's relatively quickly... I took it out shooting wildlife photos and the images were extremely clear and professional despite the animal's movements and the overcast sky. I do have three issues with this model, however.
1) the placement of the on/off button and the shutter are easily confused. I've often gone to snap the shutter and have turned the camera off altogether!
2) the dangling lens cap is annoying. It dangles on a string and you always feel like you're going to lose it somehow since it's not built-in.
3) there appears to be no image sequencer on this, so your smartmedia files all have the same id numbers and you can't put two cards on the same file on your computer because you'd be saving over your files.solution? Create new folders each time you download a card of images. When you go to catalog the images, though, the fact that you have multiple images with the same file names (i.e. card 0001.jpg and .0001.jpg is a big pain!)
64 Issues: lens cap, on/off buttons, no image sequencing
I love the design of this camera. It fits perfectly in your hands! The interace on it is easy to understand, too - even without reading the manual, and I love the zoom lens capabilities. You can close in on your subject's relatively quickly... I took it out shooting wildlife photos and the images were extremely clear and professional despite the animal's movements and the overcast sky. I do have three issues with this model, however.
1) the placement of the on/off button and the shutter are easily confused. I've often gone to snap the shutter and have turned the camera off altogether!
2) the dangling lens cap is annoying. It dangles on a string and you always feel like you're going to lose it somehow since it's not built-in.
3) there appears to be no image sequencer on this, so your smartmedia files all have the same id numbers and you can't put two cards on the same file on your computer because you'd be saving over your files.solution? Create new folders each time you download a card of images. When you go to catalog the images, though, the fact that you have multiple images with the same file names (i.e. card 0001.jpg and .0001.jpg is a big pain!) If I've missed something here, and there is a way to do image sequencing on this camera, please email me! I'd love to know how.
Thanks!
65 Pitfalls - image sequencing, on/off button and lenscap
I love the design of this camera. It fits perfectly in your hands! The interace on it is easy to understand, too - even without reading the manual, and I love the zoom lens capabilities. You can close in on your subject's relatively quickly... I took it out shooting wildlife photos and the images were extremely clear and professional despite the animal's movements and the overcast sky. I do have three issues with this model, however.
1) the placement of the on/off button and the shutter are easily confused. I've often gone to snap the shutter and have turned the camera off altogether!
2) the dangling lens cap is annoying. It dangles on a string and you always feel like you're going to lose it somehow since it's not built-in.
3) there appears to be no image sequencer on this, so your smartmedia files all have the same id numbers and you can't put two cards on the same file on your computer because you'd be saving over your files.solution? Create new folders each time you download a card of images. When you go to catalog the images, though, the fact that you have multiple images with the same file names (i.e. card 0001.jpg and .0001.jpg is a big pain!) If I've missed something here, and there is a way to do image sequencing on this camera, please email me! I'd love to know how.
Thanks!
66 zoom error
I had the same trouble another reviewer did. I was shooting pictures and suddenly zoom error came on and the camera refused to work. Until this happened I had a favorable review, but now I would say DO NOT BUY!
67 Good digital camera with a great zoom lens
My husband and I looked at reviews and digital cameras for almost a year before I finally just bought this camera. I have had it for almost 2 months now, and I haven't picked up our regular camera since. The menu is easy to surf and the quality of the pics is very good. I like to take pictures of the birds visiting our backdeck, and the zoom lens lets me get right up to them. The only drawback that I see for this camera is the pause before the actual shot is taken. That took a bit of getting used to. I have 5 year old daughters who have learned to hold their smile for a brief second more before relaxing. I have taken lots of pictures of butterflies, birds, zoo animals and children with this camera, and I have been very happy with the results. It is especially nice to have a camera where you can view the picture right after taking it, and see if you need another shot.
I would definitely recommend getting a larger memory card. I got a good deal on a 64 mb card on Amazon[.com] when I purchased our camera, and it has plenty of room for us. I would also recommend buying rechargeable batteries and charger. We got a 1 hour charger that is great.
Have fun picture taking!
68 awesome camera!
with the 128MB smartmedia card at 1280x960 resolution, you get an amazing 398 photos before having to clear off the card. at 640x480 rez, you get almost a thousand photos. the features on this camera are like having an slr without having to deal with film and developing. an awesome camera!
69 Fuji 2800 is a fantastic buy!
I've had this Fuji 2800 camera for about 1 month now and I simply LOVE it. I took it on my recent trip to Key West Florida where I got some FANTASTIC quality shots. Zoom works wonderfully, but be very careful on full zoom... even the slightest movement will result in blurry pictures. The 6X zoom is why I bought the camera, and I quickly learned the difference between the digital zoom and optical zoom. The optical zooms in physically (you feel the lens move) while the digital gets you closer like on the monitor of a computer. Every time I zoomed to the full max, I set the camera on a stable surface and got incredibly nice photos!
My suggestion is to buy a 128MB card, or two, and take all your pictures at the highest quality. Your choices for quality are BEST / High, mid, low... or MEDIUM / high, mid... or LOW / regular. That's 6 choices. If you have the space available on your card, why not get the best shot? The camera comes with a 16MB, I bought a 64MB, and on my week in Fla., I ended up lowering the quality to accommodate more photos, and when I viewed my pics at home, I saw a difference that didn't please me. If I had taken them all at mid quality, I may not have noticed, but size does matter! Capture the biggest image!
As far as the video clip capabilities, I was pleasantly surprised. Takes up tons of space though. And don't expect fine detail. Add the sound and you end up with a jumpy at best, rough video of your cherished moment. If it's video you're after, take along a video camera. I did run home and e-mail the .avi file to all my friends and they were surprised too, simply at the fact that a digital camera can record video with sound.
I have used several other digi-cameras that were slim and credit card sized, and I didn't like them. I am a big guy with big fingers, and I like the bigger camera. I can carry it in my front pocket in relative comfort, but then again, I wear big shorts. The camera is 3" x 3.5" x 3.5". A cube. It has a nice grip to it, and it feels secure in my hand when I am on the boat. It comes with a lanyard for hanging on your neck but I never attached it. The lens cap is on a string, so be careful the string is out of the way when you snap the shot. My last digital camera had no lens cover, and the lens got scratched eventually.
As far as not being able to see through the viewfinder at night or indoors, it is true, but you can almost always see something distinguishable, and in no time, one gets used to it. You see the captured image for a second after you snap it, so you can see if you cut someone's head off. The biggest problem is when you ask someone to take your picture for you, they get caught up on the fact that they can't see you clearly. Better off just using the self-timer, which is easy to use. I use it often.
Pictures are easily and quickly erased if you want to erase them. So easy though, you can erase ones you didn't want to! There is no `undo' button... once they're gone, they're gone.
One more feature I fell in love with is the suppressed flash. It allows you to take pictures of cityscapes, sunsets, etc., where there is a subject in front. I took a picture of my wife in front of one of those fabulous Key West sunsets, and it turned out incredibly. I took another of her in front of downtown San Francisco at night, and it too came out awesome.
I have read people suggesting the AC adapter, but I see no reason to buy one. A full 128MB card can be downloaded into your computer within 2 minutes, maybe less. The camera, when turned on, automatically opens the image software, but several times in that process, my system has malfunctioned (Win98). I remedied it by simply opening the FinePix viewer first, then turning on the camera. Pictures pop right up, then I select them all, and drag them to another folder. Since pictures on a Smartmedia card are numbered from 0001 to the last, the folder should be empty, otherwise the computer tries to replace like-named pictures. As soon as they're moved, turn the camera off! It's that simple. DO buy some rechargeable batteries. Digital cameras can eat up disposable ones fast.
This Fuji 2800 camera is the best buy for your buck, hands down.
70 Fine Pix sometimes
I am still learning all the aspects of my Fugi...and in most ways I have been very pleased. Picture clarity and the zoom is very good. I have noticed some trouble with reds and oranges coming out too dark. I am very dissapointed that what you want to capture while zooming is rarely what comes out, due to the delay in pressing the button and it taking the picture. Maybe with practice that will improve, I hope so. Well, after spending more time with my camera, I am now able to give it higher ratings. If you follow their directions about taking zoom photos, you can capture what you are trying to without missing much in the process. Pictures are clear and sharp. I still think reds and oranges are a bit off, but overall the camera is excellent.
71 Super Value and Great Pictures
This camera is perfect for the amatuer photographer who would like to own a nice camera that takes beautiful photographs with stunning clarity!
72 Flash Card by Simple Tech
The camera works fine other than in low light conditions where the image isn't visible in either the viewfinder or the lcd display. Don't make the mistake I made and buy a FLASH CARD. I thought this would increase the memory and it did not fit this camera. If you want memory purchase a memory card. Since I opened the card package and returned it, I'm sure it will be a costly mistake. If I were to do it all over again I would buy the Fuji 4800 for a few bucks more.
73 Great product .......but
I have had the camera for 6 weeks and have taken several hundred photos, mainly of the America's Cup qualifying races in Auckland.
One reviewer complained that the power button and shutter are easy to confuse. I fully agree, and have lost a couple of action shots through the confusion. My biggest problem is with the physical strength of the camera. I was taking pictures from a boat, and the lens gently nudged a bulkhead. This was a gentle nudge, but enough to dislodge the lens, which fell off completely when I shut the power down. The Fuji distributor in Auckland was fantastic, and repaired the camera promptly, and without charge. It was not the first time they had seen the problem, so be warned! I have a 64meg card, and this is more than enough.
74 Fuji Finepix 2800 - Incredible! I am impressed and sold!
After having been used to manual professional cameras (35 mm and medium format) and being very picky about results, I was extremely reluctant towards digital photography. However, this little camera has not disappointed me. It does everything extremely well that it is said to do, and I was stunned by the beautiful results when viewing them on my computer.Now I wonder why I had not done this sooner. I can highly recommend this little powerhouse to anybody who is doubtful about switching to digital. I have, and there are NO REGRETS! Go for it!
75 What an awsome Camera
I was wowed by what this camera can do for the price. It is so easy to use. It is a bit finiky over procedure to download the pictures but that is all that I have found to be hard to deal with. It is so small and light wieght which is good. It takes some great 60sec movies, and the sound that it captures is great. I would recommend that you buy an extra memory card so that you can take lots of pictures. This camera is good for the beginer to the semi advanced. You can definetly grow with this camera. Mac users will love the ease of this camera. The best camera that I found for the price.
76 Good until something went wrong
I bought this camera before my trip to Australia because I really liked how it felt and the quality of the pictures it took. Everything was going pretty well with it until suddenly, it can't take a good picture when the flash is required. Something is wrong with the sensor. So now any evening or night time pictures are extremely fuzzy or blurry which really puts a damper on how I can document this trip.
I have a couple other problems with it:
*It is a little larger than most cameras, and even though it is pretty light and the zoom compacts down pretty far and it is comfortable to use, it is cumbersome in the fact that it doesn't fit easily into a small purse, and it is hard to find a small case for it.
*It isn't the easiest camera to use, so if you want people to take a picture of you, often times you will find yourself explaining the camera and how it works for a few minutes before you finally get around to taking the photo.
*If you are using the higher quality mode on the camera, it often takes awhile for the camera to save it, which is annoying because you have to wait before you can take another.
But a plus of this camera is how well it captures light and color. It can take pictures of sunsets that are absolutely amazing. The camera makes the sunset look ten times prettier than it actually was.
If there wasn't something wrong with the flash on this camera I would probably give it a four, maybe even five stars, but I am fored to wait until I return home from this country until i can get it fixed, which is really annoying.
77 The Fuji 2800, a great little camera
This camera was my second digital camera The reason I bought the Fuji 2800 was its small size and it's rather extraordinary 6X optical zoom. I have taken both cameras with me on trips and have found that they perfectly compliment each other. The Fuji is available for those quick shots and can be used as a point and shoot
The Fuji 2800 is a great camera that is simple to operate and has the ability to take a picture that will print out sharply at 8 x 10. It has a very good autofocus and the 6X zoom will let you get in close. The flash has 6 different modes and there is also a white balance feature. You can choose from a variety of resolutions but I normally keep it on the highest 2 megapixel setting (with a 64 mb card I can shoot about 80 pictures).
On the down side, the view finder is poor in low light conditions; the autofocus still works ok, you just can't compose your shot with the view finder. Action shots are also a bit tricky due to the electronic viewfinders quirk of freezing the view during autofocusing.
Other than that, this is an extemely competent camera that takes great pictures, is simple to use, and offers great features at an affordible price.
78 Great camera
I just got it last week and have taken more than a hundred pictures. Beautiful color recovery and nice focus. Some problems at low light condition for view finder but fine for a digital camera since you can take as much as you want and delete them if you do not like them. Flash gives good compensation in dark, so the quality of picture is not affected. You need to press the shutter half way down to focus but it is a nice feature for me since if the lense is covered in the photography mode, the camera does not try to focus on nothing which bothers me a lot when I was using a olympus with aoto focus. One of my friend who just got a SONY S85 highly appraised it since the color and image are much better from fuji 2800 with ... less on the price tag. Highly recommend for people who want to get a nice point and shoot digital camera.
79 Anyone notice?
Has any one notice the confussion between the shutter & power buttons??
Or is it only me???
I keep hitting the power (off) button when I want to take a picture, therefore loosing the picture.
Good thing I haven't tried to take "once in a life time" photos yet.
This is my only real complaint, enough for me to return the camera.
I rate 3 stars due to the power button, 5 stars for everything else
Otherwise I agree with everyone els that this has great features and photo quality, for the price
80 Decent Digital Camera for the Price
I purchased this camera in haste with a vacation pending and little time to shop around. I wanted something compatible with the Smart Media cards I already had from an earlier Fuji camera. The 2 MP file size is ideal, giving an perfect balance of image quality and quantity.
Pluses:
Shape of the camera -- fits in the hands like a conventional 35mm SLR camera (although smaller). This is helpful for those who are used to using 35mm cameras and don't adapt well to some of the funky new digital camera shapes that are available today. Also can be held with one hand if desired.
6X Lens -- Great range, allowing for perfectly framed pictures of most subjects.
Simplicity -- not much here to complicate matters.
EVF -- it is nice to know you will be taking an image of exactly what you frame up in the view finder, however...
Minuses:
Low light performance of EVF -- There is no way around it, the Electronic View Finder does not function well in low light (like during an evening wedding reception). Leave the camera on a wide angle, point and shoot, and review the image. Repeat as necessary.
Lens cover leash is too short -- When the camera is turned on the lens extends out a bit. The lens cover leash can get caught around the corner of the camera body, inhibiting the lens from extending during startup.
Auto focus "freeze frame" -- When depressing the "shutter" slightly the camera auto focuses on the subject inside of two yellow brackets in the EVF. The camera freezes the image for a split second, temporarily blinding you from your subject. If your subject has moved you will have to re-focus. This has an up side to it though -- the freeze frame gives you a split second to review the part of the image the camera is focused on. As long as you don't let up on the "shutter" button the camera will remained focused on that part of the subject. This allows you to focus on subjects that aren't in the middle of the frame, by pointing the camera and locking the auto focus directly at the part of the image you want as the primary subject, and then reframing the image so you subject isn't always in the dead center. This makes for good picture composition.
Overall, this is a great value in the ever changing world of digital cameras.
81 Great little camera.
After an exhaustive review of camera's in the ... price range to replace my lost Olympus D-100, I chose the Fuji FinePix 2800 mostly for the 6x zoom. Some of the review had me worried about certain aspects of the camera, but I went ahead and bought it.
I was VERY pleasantly surprised when I recieved the camera. The 6x zoom works very well, and the camera is a joy to use. It's not perfect, but the features (and price) far outweigh the negatives for me.
Pluses:
- 6x Zoom
- Great color and image.
- USB camera port works flawlessly with Linux for image transfer.
- 60 second movies with sound.
This is the one that surprised me. I knew about the ability
to take short movies, but the reality is much better than
than I thought it would be. It reminds me of the old
Super8 home movies my grandparents used to take.
Minuses:
- No active autofocus. Autofocus doesn't do well in low light.
- Lenscap instead of door to protect lens.
- LCD viewfinder. Actually, it works pretty well, even in lowish
light situations, if you turn up the brightness setting. I had many more problems with the autofocus. But the viewfinder does take getting used to, and the pause in the viewfinder screen during autofocus is a bit annoying.
I haven't had any problems with it eating batteries, since I bought some good high capacity NiMH rechargables. The camera is somewhat short and squat which makes finding a camera bag challenging, but it is comfortable to hold due to a nice right hand grip.
All in all, it's a great little camera at a great price. The 6x zoom and image quality is worth the price, and the mini-camcorder feature is just icing on the cake. The autofocus can be annoying sometimes when indoors, but other than that I love this camera.
82 Gives you what it promises
Have had this camera for nearly 6 months and it has taken some fabulous shots. For the price tag that it comes in at - it is a neat buy. Also the 6x zoom (which was the feature that made me buy it) is just perfect (for me). On the downside it seems to have problems in low-light conditions (as almost all digital cameras do) and that is an area which leaves some things to be desired. Also since the 6x zoom is not stabilized you can use it only in the best of lighting conditions.
All in all a great value for money and a good buy for enthusiasts who do not want all manual controls but do desire a lot more zoom power.
83 1st time buyer
This is my 1st digital camera. I probably read too many reviews by disgruntled camera buffs. I've had it for a few days and love this thing. It takes great pictures and is very easy to use. Even on 1MP setting, I was able to take sharp and colorful photos for printing at home. The EVF is not a big deal, just have at least one light on if shooting indoors at night. Get a card reader for your computer, rechargeable batteries, and your set! I am very happy with my purchase, and excellent price from Amazon.
84 First Camera I Have Purchased Since My Polaroid Instamatic
Nice unit, It is not only great to be taking pictures again, but with this camera it is great fun. I researched digital cameras extensively before I purchased this one. Within Five minutes I was taking great pictures. It was very easy to figure out how to use it. I just kept saying "WoW" every time I downloaded another picture.
85 This is a great choice
I didn't have time to conduct any special surveys or waste time at computer stores. Luckily, I bumped into this cool digital from FujiFilm and got excited. This piece is great, very small yet powerful and of great quality. Images are sharp, even on low-mode, the 60 sec video option is great and the web-cam ability is even cooler.
Installation on WinXP is a snap, menus and configurations are pretty straight forward. I personally didn't look at the manual AT ALL.
This is a great camera for your money! Be sure to include re-charging batteries and another memory card at your purchase. Both gets empty pretty fast.
And no, I don't work for Fuji :)
86 I LOVE THIS CAMERA!
We bought this camera as an upgrade from our first digital which was only 0.8 megapixels. This camera takes awesome pictures and the flash card makes downloading a snap. We have an HP Photosmart printer that the card just pops into and reads as a removable drive, so we don't even need the USB connector. The pictures are very clear and the menus on the screen are easy to use. I would definitely recommend this camera to anyone!
87 Only 1 problem that I see so far
I have never written a review and am a true digital novice so I will stick to the basics. I bought this camera because I liked the way it felt in my hand. Also my son has an older fuji digital that has taken some great pictures with less resolution so I thought this would be a great starter camera. I used it for the first time at a wedding and it did take great pictures outdoors and indoors but and this is the big one, in low light and darker (the all important decorating of the car) you can NOT see anything on the screen or in the viewfinder. I found myself pointing and shooting blindly. Amazingly the pictures turned out ok, not well lit but ok, but it is my major complaint. Other than that, I have found it easy to use and I found myself taking alot more pictures and I think that is the whole idea.
88 Great for a beginner
Its excellent value for money. The 6x zoom is awesome.
But those are looking for more creative control over shutter and aperture, etc. this is not the camera for you. It only gives manual control over exposure value and white balance. Although by playing around with these values you can take some excellent shots too.
89 First Digital & I love it
I've been a photo hobbyist for Several years . Have owned several 35mms with a new Nikon my latest purchase just 2 years ago. Was not a big fan of digital but was sold when in the carribean and saw a realtime comparison of several different cameras. I SOLD !
Very easy to use right away, great, clear images. Love everything about it. Sorry I didn't buy one earlier. I still love my 35. but now have a new traveling companion.
90 Great Camera/ Poor View Finder
Yes, it is a great little camera if you limit your shooting to the outdoors or well lite indoor locations. If you're thinking of taking this to a wedding or some other indoor affair, forget it, unless you want to estimate the location of your subject or keep your other eye open to try and compose a decent shot and then go back to the view finder, all the time hoping the party hasn't ended in the meantime.
I would have given it 5 stars except for this terrible and practically non-functional view finder in low light.
91 av ports
I have just purchased the Fuji 2800 2MP, which is my first digi camera, and I'm having a whale of a time ,being able to email the shots to all my mates the same minute is really a bonus. The only down fall I can say is that you can't show the pic's via the TV, as is has no AV ports built in which would be positive advantage, so you show them via the usb port on your home computer,and then plug in AV cable from there to your TV, but say you visit someone who in this year 2002 has not got a computer at home, what then!!!easy huddle around the camera, it's cosy
92 Great Digital Camera
This camera is an excellent value for the price. The 6X zoom is very useful and lets you take high-quality photos from any reasonable distance.
I read complaints about low-light situations, but have had only two photos that disappointed me and that may have been because I might have suppressed the flash.
It is a lumpy little camera, and finding a carry case required some looking, but I found one that works and I take the camera everywhere. You have to get used to holding it, because of the funny shape, but that is easilly learned.
Battery life is quite acceptable on JPEG settings, which I use a lot because it makes E-mailing pics better for down-load time to my friends. My first pic was of my garden on 2M setting. My friends on dial-up chewed me out because it took over 2 minutes to download. For prints and blow-ups, though, this is a wonderful setting, though it uses a lot of memory. I also conserve batteries by using the viewfinder for most applications instead of the screen.
I suggest buying an extra set of rechargable NiMh bateries and keep them available.
I bought an after-market card reader to conserve batteries at Radio-Shack for [a reasonable price].
I would like to see polarizer filters and IR filters available to help with hazy outdoor conditions.
It is pretty much point-and-shoot for most situations, but there are a lot of nice features I plan to learn how to use soon.
I would like clearer markings on the battery box for us old folks to read better.
93 Great deal
This is my first digital camera and I must say I'm impressed. The only downside I can see for this camera is the poor visibility on the LCD display in low light conditions. If you can work around that though this is a great camera for the price.
94 High quality, easy to use, reasonbly priced digital camera
This is my second digital camera, my first being an early model Kodak DC210 Plus model. The Kodak is a fine camera, but I was attracted to the 6X optical zoom and increased resolution of the FinePix 2800. I also did not want to pay an exoribitant price. After reading a number of reviews, I decided to give this camera a try. I have used it for a little more than two weeks and have been overjoyed with its performance. It is small, light, has plenty of features and the zoom performance is excellent. I could not find anything similar in this price range. For a beginner or amateur photographer, I don't think you could ask for a better camera. It is simple to set up, has a wide variety of picture quality settings, plenty of options/features and is just pleasure to use. I also liked the built in USB interface (USB cable and software included). I would have liked to have seen an AC power supply included, but for the price I can't complain about the included accessories. I purchased a 128M SmartMedia card with the unit and can get over 350 pictures in the 2M Normal mode, which gives great resolution. This unit also seems to be a lot faster than the Kodak I own. The 2800 also supports video and voice over, although I have not tried either of these features. For video, I use my Canon ZR25M. With no reservations, I rate the FinePix 2800 as an exceptional camera and very reasonbly priced. I highly recommend it.
95 Best Investment!
We have had the Fugi FinePix 2800 for 2 weeks now and am still getting familiar with all the features. It takes the most clear and crisp pictures we have ever seen. There is no need to touch up anything. It is very EASY to operate. It's smaller and lighter than I had antisipated. We also purchased the rechargable batteries and charger and upgraded to a 32mb memory card. This was also a great idea. I would suggest getting the bag, too. This is the best investment we've made in a long time!
96 View finder
I recently purchased this camera and have found it to be everything that I need with one big exception. I find it difficult to view the image that I am trying to include in the picture with either the viewfinder or the LCD display. This is especially true when there is dim light or there is dark objects around the subject. Otherwise, the images are sharp, the memory that comes with the camera exceeds that of most cameras and with the additional memory that I purchased I can take more than enough pictures even at the highest resolutions.
97 Exceeded my Expectations
I spent way too much time deciding which digital camera to purchase. But if I'm going to spend $500+ on a product that I want to keep for a long time, I'd better make the right decision the first time. I looked at the Fuji Finepix 2800 Zoom and a few of the popular 3mp cameras. I was very leary to get the 2mp over the 3mp but figured with the 6x zoom and the way lower price that it may have an advantage. Let me tell you, I made the right decision. Here's why:
Photo Quality: Incredible. Better than I could have hoped for. More than enough. You can't crop down to nothing, but I printed a few 8X10's and it looked like an actual photograph. 2mp is enough for me. PLUS, you usually don't even set the camera on the 2mp setting anyway, 1mp is usually plenty.
Controls: The automatic controls are very accurate. I have used a 35mm Nikon SLR for years and it's nice not to have to fuss with all the manual settings. This is primarily my wife's camera anyway and she appreciates just being able to point and shoot. You do have to get used to the 1/2 second delay, but it's not a big deal and common with digital cameras.
Viewfinder/LCD - Yeah its dark in low light, but you can still see an outline of your subject in most cases; unless its really dark, but I haven't had much of a problem and the one time I did get my 1 year old out of center I just took another shot.
Overall - I'm very happy with this camera. I can't say enough. If you're leary about this camera like I was, don't be, it will exceed your expectations. Oh by the way the web cam feature works great too. Oh and make sure to get rechargeable batteries, and ac adapter for web cam and download and you'll be set.
PS - I estimated that I saved about $200 by going with this camera over some of the other 3mp and in my opinion it can't be beat.
98 Good camera in this price level
1. I bought this camera 2 weeks ago. I love it. Considering its price, the optical 6x zoom is very attractive while digital zoom will decrease your resolution. Fuji's color is so vivid, I think no one will be disappointed by its quality, --- I took many photes of flowers(with macro mode), birds(with opt.zoom), and my kid's lovely face,... they are almost 1st-level quality.
2.This price is only for 2M. Maybe, 3-5M camera is sure better considering the resolution while they often require more dollars. I think pay 250--350$ for top-level 2M digital camera is a good idea because our printer today is in such a level. One who need higher resolution may buy this one now and buy another 3-5M camera in next year, ---- I think totally you pay the same money for 2 cameras compared with buying one 3-5M camera today.
Further more, a 3M camera with 3x optical will down to 2M or even less resolution if it has to use digital zoom while 2800 can keep its 2M level with 6x Opt.zoom. That's why 2800 is [more] than 2600. That's why 2800 stands the top-level 2M digital camera.
3.Many complained that the dark viewer. I do not think it is a problem. In fact all the cameras with such kind of viewer have this problem ( not only Fuji). I took some photos at night and they are all OK.
4.I have a complain: Fuji should include charger/re-chargable cells/AC-adapter in the package even they raise the price a little bit. it is a joke that they put AA-cells into the package because no one will really use one-time-cell as a power source in such a camera. So, to do something convenient for customers, ---- my words to Fuji.
I bought it after many days' comparation serfing online. I mark 2800 highest with price and function balance.
Generally, this is a good camera for us to buy in this year.
I do like it. If I had to choose once more, I would like to focus on it once more.
99 Great camera
This is a great camera for the price. I was looking for a camera with movie mode (I don't own a digital camcorder), and really wanted sound with it. I didn't need a ton of manual options. I wasn't planning on printing 8x10's or larger, so 3 megapixels and up wasn't necessary. I was turned off by Sony's proprietary media. When it came down to it, it was between the Canon S200 and the Fugi 2800. The only pluses for the Canon was the sturdier body (metal) and the small size. But the 2X optical zoom was worthless.
I like the 4AA's over other batteries, because in a pinch, I can find them anywhere. I bought some rechargeable NiMH and am all set. The 6X optical zoom is great. After having it, I wouldn't consider another camera without it.
The only thing I can bash on the camera is the size and the plastic body. It is a little bigger than some cameras, but a small price to pay for the zoom. After a few weeks, I got over the plastic body, but I still worry about dropping it.
Get a USB card reader with this (~$30), and you don't need to use the camera to download pic's.
100 Great camera for anyone!!
This is our first digital camera and we love it. The 6X zoom has allowed us to take some outstanding vivid pictures of birds at the feeder and closeup of flowers and people. The colors are vibrant and true. We are happy with our decision to add 128 mb card and NiMH rechargable batteries ($20 for 8 batteries and charger at SAMS). The only disappointment was that the camera bag recommended by Tamarac does not fit the camera and we had to return it.
