Ok this review will be for those who aren't into the higher level of the camera! (Not to say I won't use the features but this is a simple review!)
Size and Shape of the camera:
it is a little heavier than I would like, but not bad. I love the actual shape of the camera it fits your hands nicely feels very secure. All the dials and buttons seem to be in the right places. Did take me a little while to get use to the maual zoom. But I must say I now love it! althougth for me I feel it should turn opposite.
flash: Amazing for a camera in this price range. At times it may even be too powerful which that totally shocks me. But the flash is able to be turned down so it isn't as strong. I was able to figure this out so again...simple!
The only draw back with the flash, it pops up on its own. So I need to get use to that. At times I would rather choose whether the flash fires or not.
Face Detection: I thought this was a gimick I wouldn't care for. I had it on another camera (35MM) and wasn't impressed. This one actually is very helpful and works! I took a picture of my kids, my daughter was up front and my son was back. I wanted both kids in focus. I turned the FD on and I got the exact shot I wanted! So it was either dumb luck or this actually works!
I have also used it in a group setting of about 10 kids, it found all of their faces.
natural light....this feature amazes me! The camera will take 2 pictures in a row, one in natural light and one with the flash. IT is very quick so you don't miss the shot and then you can choose what you want. Again very simple to figure out and use.
Low light......this was my biggest concern. My kids are in band, chorus, diving and swim team (winter and summer) I wanted something that I could capture some of this. To my surprise this camera has that power. Granted it has some grain, and the colors especially at the one indoor pool is a wee bit yellow, but it is still creates a usuable picture. The pool walls are a yellow so understandable for the cast.
full zoom. I found I was able to actually use the camera at full zoom. I have tried their anti blur function and really haven't seen a difference between my holding the camera steady and using that function.
Versatility: I think this camera can be used in almost all settings and level of users. I have played with the different settings and options. I found for me the auto settings seems to work best indoors. Out doors I have been using the P setting. I am still brushing up on my manual skills and remembering what those f stops were for and all that other fun stuff.
Manual ring: The camera also has a manual focus ring. But at this point I haven't figured it out or really had a need to.
Soft ware: Haven't installed it. I have photo shop on the PC. But I have heard if you shoot in the Raw format the fuji software is best for converting it.
Overall conclussion: This is a great camera for the price. I think it is a nice stepping stone for those who feel they want a camera that can do more than a point and shoot but don't want to take the leap to a DSLR. I am extremely pleased with the pictures I have taken, the ease of operation and the things I hope to learn how to do. The price makes this camera an excellent choice. I love the fact that it uses AA batteries. The battery life is long. The start up time for the camera is brief since it is a manual zoom.
I will try to answer any questions that I can.
Here are a few pictures:
This was taken about 15 minutes after my camera arrived. It was late in the day.
These guys may look like they are fighting but they are playing:
I am sitting on the top bleacher;
And some snowman:
Size and Shape of the camera:
it is a little heavier than I would like, but not bad. I love the actual shape of the camera it fits your hands nicely feels very secure. All the dials and buttons seem to be in the right places. Did take me a little while to get use to the maual zoom. But I must say I now love it! althougth for me I feel it should turn opposite.
flash: Amazing for a camera in this price range. At times it may even be too powerful which that totally shocks me. But the flash is able to be turned down so it isn't as strong. I was able to figure this out so again...simple!
The only draw back with the flash, it pops up on its own. So I need to get use to that. At times I would rather choose whether the flash fires or not.
Face Detection: I thought this was a gimick I wouldn't care for. I had it on another camera (35MM) and wasn't impressed. This one actually is very helpful and works! I took a picture of my kids, my daughter was up front and my son was back. I wanted both kids in focus. I turned the FD on and I got the exact shot I wanted! So it was either dumb luck or this actually works!
I have also used it in a group setting of about 10 kids, it found all of their faces.
natural light....this feature amazes me! The camera will take 2 pictures in a row, one in natural light and one with the flash. IT is very quick so you don't miss the shot and then you can choose what you want. Again very simple to figure out and use.
Low light......this was my biggest concern. My kids are in band, chorus, diving and swim team (winter and summer) I wanted something that I could capture some of this. To my surprise this camera has that power. Granted it has some grain, and the colors especially at the one indoor pool is a wee bit yellow, but it is still creates a usuable picture. The pool walls are a yellow so understandable for the cast.
full zoom. I found I was able to actually use the camera at full zoom. I have tried their anti blur function and really haven't seen a difference between my holding the camera steady and using that function.
Versatility: I think this camera can be used in almost all settings and level of users. I have played with the different settings and options. I found for me the auto settings seems to work best indoors. Out doors I have been using the P setting. I am still brushing up on my manual skills and remembering what those f stops were for and all that other fun stuff.
Manual ring: The camera also has a manual focus ring. But at this point I haven't figured it out or really had a need to.
Soft ware: Haven't installed it. I have photo shop on the PC. But I have heard if you shoot in the Raw format the fuji software is best for converting it.
Overall conclussion: This is a great camera for the price. I think it is a nice stepping stone for those who feel they want a camera that can do more than a point and shoot but don't want to take the leap to a DSLR. I am extremely pleased with the pictures I have taken, the ease of operation and the things I hope to learn how to do. The price makes this camera an excellent choice. I love the fact that it uses AA batteries. The battery life is long. The start up time for the camera is brief since it is a manual zoom.
I will try to answer any questions that I can.
Here are a few pictures:
This was taken about 15 minutes after my camera arrived. It was late in the day.
These guys may look like they are fighting but they are playing:
I am sitting on the top bleacher;
And some snowman:
