| Editorial Review :
Fujifilm FinePix Z700EXR- 12MP SuperCCD EXR, Fujinon 5x Periscopic Optical Zoom, 3.5" High Resolution (16:9) Touch LCD. Dual Direction GUI w/ Auto Rotation, Other features include: Face Detection w/ Red Eye Removal, Face Recognition, Pet Detection, Dual Image Stabilization, High Sensitivity 1600 ISO, 6 Scene - SR Auto Automatic Scene Recognition, HD Movie 720p w/ Sound, Thin Metal Body 17.9mm, Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery.
Customer Review :
Review for those who aren't good with high tech gadgets
This takes really great pictures! Or maybe I just have beautiful kids!...Nah, it's the camera. Seriously, I didn't want to just give it five stars, I sat and thought about possible drawbacks, but I haven't found any. My last digital camera was something like 3 megapixels, and the telephoto lens thingy got stuck and never got unstuck. That will never happen with this one, and the pictures are so sharp, and so beautiful, and I love the touchscreen controls.
I had a little trouble with the menu, but I'm not good with high tech devices, I buy cell phones that don't do anything but make phone calls because I can't handle the camera and other add ons. I did figure it out, which means it must be really easy!
It comes with a large 4 gig SD card, it's easy to charge, it holds the charge a long time, I love the battery life, I haven't tested it with a vacation yet, but based on how often I've had to recharge I think it will be just fine. It's easy to load the pictures on the computer, I never even installed the software that came with it.
It's easy to use, even I figured it out, and I have been very unenthusiastic about digital cameras, I still keep my film camera in easy reach, but it's getting less and less use now. The digital revolution finally embroiled me and forced me to take sides, and I have to admit, the freedom of not using film is exhilarating.
I really like this camera. I'm not worthy of it, I don't know what I'm doing, I can't give one of those technical reviews, (except turn the little flat knob on the ring around the button on top right or left for telephoto or wide angle. It's counterintuitive, but that's how it works, and if it's in the wrong mode, hit the other button on top and it switches.)but it works in spite of me. I have taken some fantastic pictures.
I dreaded reviewing this, because I like it so much I sound sycophantic, but it would be unfair NOT to review it just because I like it a lot and can't find anything negative to say, no matter how I try.
It must be pretty sturdy, because it's held up to family use, we've had it for weeks and had no problems of any sort, even though it's been dropped (hear that, Nikon? Find out what fuji is doing right!) My husband's Nikon didn't survive a small fall onto carpet, but this has been dropped outside and it's fine.
Finally, it's red, I always secretly wanted a bright red digital camera. It's easier to keep track of because of that, and it looks very sharp and stylish.
So that is a totally non-technical review, from someone who is terrified of menus and buttons and gadgets. If you're like me, don't be scared, it's very easy, and if you have problems, find a small child to help you. That's what I do.
Rating : 
A Point-And-Shoot And So Much More!
At first glance, Fujifilm's FinePix Z700EXR looks like just about every other pocket-sized point-and-shoot camera. It comes with a 3.5" LCD wide screen with touch screen capabilities. It also has an internal 5X optical zoom lens, video capabilities, and 12 megapixel resolution for clear photos. Other features include multi-shot capabilities, numerous photo-taking options, and face/pet recognition.
While that's all pretty standard for many similar cameras, Fujifilm goes the extra step by loading up this camera with a ton of features and makes them easy to use as well. One of my favorite features is a with/without flash feature that allows you to take two photos in quick succession, one in natural light and the other with flash, and then have the opportunity to view both on a split screen. You can then delete one or both pics or save them for later. You can also turn on an anti-jitter feature that helps prevent blurred photos. Another nice feature is a slideshow option that lets you view pictures while music quietly plays in the background. There are a number of other features which you may or may not use, including a feature similar to Kodak's Easyshare button that allows you to quickly download photos to Facebook.
Overall use of these features and the accompanying software is relatively easy. Before even looking at the basic manual, I was able to pick up on a number of the camera's features. I took a few test shots at home with the family and then took the camera on the road with us as we spent a weekend together in town. The biggest test so far came during a local science fiction convention where I had the chance to take photos of costumes that ranged from dark-colored Klingons to bright red, white, and blue Captain America. No matter what the setting, the pictures came out very good.
If I have any complaints about this camera, they would have to be the location of lens and the auto shooting mode feature. The lens is right where you'd normally place your fingers while taking a basic photo. It took a little time to get used to pulling back my fingers to keep it from getting in the photo. The auto mode had a tendency to overuse the flash, resulting in some pretty bright photos that would have otherwise looked great in natural lighting.
The camera is packaged with a rechargeable battery that remains charged for a very long time. It also comes with a battery charger, software, a USB cable to connect to your computer, and a basic owner's manual.
It has a sleek look to it and can easily fit into your pocket. I do recommend purchasing a case for the camera in order to product the view screen. Overall, a wonderful camera that's full of easy to use bells and whistles that will not get in your way if you prefer not to use them.
Highly recommended.
Rating :
Stylish camera with excellent picture quality
This camera is a good device by Fuji. I've owned two other Fuji cameras nearly ten years, and have been quite pleased with them. This camera is certainly different, and therefore it has some interesting qualities which I'll discuss here.
Physically: The red color is great. The surface of the camera is high-gloss, doesn't pick up normal fingerprints, and seems a bit scratch-resistant. The door for the battery and memory card compartment doesn't close as cleanly as I would prefer, so this worries me. There's a second door which conceals the USB connection, but you'll need to open the battery cover every time you want to charge the battery. However, the door that hides the USB port is only secured with a strip of plastic and could easily break off and get lost. The camera also seems heavier than most others that I've used.
Touchscreen: This camera has a touchscreen with no buttons to control menu functions - everything is done via the touchscreen. The screen is large and bright. When using the camera, the image is surrounded on the left and right edges by options - so the image doesn't fill the entire screen while shooting pictures. The touchscreen is somewhat responsive, although this isn't the type of touchscreen you'd find on your phone or music device - you need to apply just a bit of pressure to activate sections of the screen. In other words, it senses pressure, and not the static charge of your finger. There's an orientation sensor in the camera that will sense which way you are holding the camera - landscape of portrait - and it will rotate the menu options right-side-up accordingly. I've noticed, however, that the screen is very fingerprint-prone. I'd also call the touchscreen a bit "bouncy" when you touch it. It's not like touching glass, it's like touching a plastic sheet.
It probably goes without saying, but this camera deserves a case to protect it, especially the touchscreen.
Functionality:
To turn the camera on, you have to pull the protective door..."down". This is really counter-intuitive, since it's not the way your hands work when you're holding a camera - it's much easier to pull a sliding door to the left or right. Once you do this, it takes at least 4 seconds for the device to be ready to take a picture. As soon as the image appears on the screen, you can press the shutter release and take a picture within 2-3 seconds. If you leave the camera on "Auto", then it's almost "ready-to-go". The camera will automatically shut-down after a few minutes, and it's not easy to restart it quickly.
The lens is at the upper-left (when holding the camera). There's no indentation that prevents your fingers from getting in the way. I've had several shots that included the edge of my fingers. In other words, you have to hold this camera "just right" to keep your fingers out of the image. There's no independent viewfinder, so you must do everything through the display.
The menu system is simple. Common functions are available while taking pictures. Some options, however, are buried at least two or three levels below the top level, so it's not always quick to get to the setting you need. There is a general setup menu that allows you to choose global settings such as screen brightness, sound levels, etc.
Image Quality:
In auto-mode, you can definitely see the camera working. It will actively compensate for differences in lighting and will choose an appropriate flash setting. You can, of course, override everything and select specific shooting modes. The camera seems to perform fairly well in low-light situations, but still is incapable of capturing distant objects in dark settings. In other words, you won't be able to sit in the middle of the auditorium and capture your child during a recital.
One particularly glaring obstacle is how the camera decides to auto-focus while using "zoom". If you center on an object, then zoom-in, the image goes incredibly out-of-focus until you are done zooming and re-center on the object. Unfortunately, it's very easy to lose the subject when this happens.
12 megapixels really makes a difference. This camera not only features 12 megapixels, but it also has an "EXR" mode which forces the camera to give priority over resolution and noise reduction. All of this is very apparent. I've never been easily impressed with higher-megapixel numbers, but this camera has convinced me otherwise. For example, if I take a picture from across the room of my DVR, and I use the camera's editing features to crop a very small region of image, I can clearly discern the very tiny print on the control buttons of my DVR. What does this mean? Well, if you take pictures without using "zoom", you can edit the pictures yourself and zoom-in (crop) without losing any quality. I've been quite impressed with what I can do ON the camera without using a PC.
"Natural light" pictures are some of the best I've ever taken with this camera. I prefer images without flash, but even when you use the flash, this camera doesn't saturate the image with a ghastly-white glow. In general, the camera does a very good job at detecting lighting levels and compensating accordingly.
Videos can be recorded in high-definition. Unfortunately, the focus becomes "fixed focus" and you also cannot use the zoom functionality. High-definition capability aside, I feel like the video recording is very "casual" in nature and isn't meant as a substitute for a separate video recording device.
Battery-life: Battery life is average. The camera uses a proprietary Fuji battery, so if you are traveling and need a "spare", you'll need to buy one. The battery must be removed from the camera to be charged in an included wall-charger. You can probably expect to use the camera substantially over the course of a day before requiring a charge. Unfortunately, the battery-level indicator on the camera only has three bars, and it seems once it get to the "middle" bar, it heads downward very quickly. It doesn't do a very good job at warning you when the battery is starting to drain. Using higher functions (EXR, flash, face-detection, zoom) only drains the battery even faster. It would be nice if the battery charge indicator had more segments so you could better determine remaining charge. When it turns red, you don't know if you can take 5 more pictures or 100, for example.
Overall, I'm very pleased with this camera. I like how it's constructed, and I especially like the touchscreen. The image quality is superb. Unfortunately, everything related to the battery - from the door to the indicator - keeps the product from being perfect. Fortunately, though, I'd recommend not only this camera, but any Fuji camera, based on what I've experienced so far.
Rating :
Good camera
This camera was my first Fuji; all my previous digital cameras have been Kodaks, mostly in the same price range.
Pros: The camera takes excellent pictures. The view screen is very large and, compared to all my Kodaks, easier to see in bright sun. The camera handles indoor settings in dim light better than any of my Kodaks. The battery life is comparable to my Kodaks, which isn't fantastic, but gets me through a pretty active day of picture-taking. There are several nice settings--I particularly like the one where you can touch the portion that you want the camera to focus on. It's stylish. The software is nicer than Kodak's.
Cons: The camera is a lot less intuitive to use than any of my Kodaks--it took a long time to figure out how to do certain things. Because the camera has on-screen controls, and because the screen takes up most of the back of the camera, I found myself often accidentally touching controls when I didn't want to. To access the port for the USB cord, you have to open a little latch, and it's slightly awkward to get the cord attached just right. Unlike my Kodaks, this camera's battery does not recharge if the camera is plugged into my computer; you have to remove the battery and put it in the charger. That's annoying, and also means when you travel, you need to take both the charger and the cord.
Overall, it's a good camera, and I would recommend it for casual use. I'll be using it for my family vacations.
Rating :
The "No Glasses Needed" Screen
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R99GOK6CXQVY9 I'd been looking at new cameras, so I was thrilled when I received the Fujifilm FinePix Z700EXR through Amazon Vine. This camera has all of the features I was looking for in a camera: it takes excellent pictures, it's great in low-light, the menuing system is easy to navigate, and, something that I didn't even know I needed until I saw it - a screen big enough that I don't have to wear my glasses when I take a picture! If you are of "a certain age" you know what a pain glasses are in regards to cameras - glasses off to see the person you are photographing - glasses on to frame them on the camera and set any menus - glasses off - glasses on, etc., etc., etc.
The screen on this camera is HUGE! And it's a touchscreen so rather than endlessly pushing arrow buttons (up, down, right, left) to move through menus then trying to remember which button to push to select (I always push the wrong one!) you simply touch the menu item, then touch your choice. Ahhh, simplicity!
In the video I try to show the basics of using the camera and a few of my favorite features. I read the entire instruction manual and the list of things that this camera can do is really impressive, but honestly, but I'll probably never use most of them. I just want to take decent quality photos of my friends, family and pets.
I also want to be able to turn the flash off easily because I really don't like the way the flash flattens the image when shooting people (the flash tends to wash out all of the shadows and makes everything look flat and overly bright... think "dear in the headlights") This camera has a feature called "Natural Light & Flash" which, when set, takes two photos in rapid succession every time you press the shutter: one with a flash and one without.
For me this is the most brilliant and most useful feature I've ever seen on a camera! Instead of taking a shot with the flash off, looking at it, realizing that there wasn't enough light, stepping through 15 levels of menus to turn on the flash, then taking another photo, and, by now, the scene has changed and the moment is lost - now I just hit the shutter button and boom, boom the camera fires off two shots, the first without the flash and the second with. It even shows you the two side by side on the screen after it takes them. I love this feature!
This camera addresses my three biggest concerns when buying a camera: it takes good photos, it works well in low light and the menu is drop-dead simple to navigate. But it also slam-dunks two requirements that I didn't even know I had until I used it: a screen big enough to see without my glasses and the ability to shoot a flash/no flash sequence every time I take a photo. My standards have officially been raised.
I've already recommended the Fujifilm Finepix Z700EXR to a couple of friends who, when they saw the screen on this thing didn't want to give it back! But this one's mine, get your own.
Update- 06-12-10
I've had the time to use the camera a lot more and have found that the "Natural Light & Flash" feature, though really quite wonderful, also slows the camera's recovery time between shots significantly. If you are going to be taking a lot of shots, say at a party, you might want to take the first one in this mode, then see which looks best, with or without the flash, then turn off the Natural Light & Flash and take the rest of your shots in the flash/no flash mode that looked best.
I hope this video-review helps,
Claire
PS - It always makes my day to know that people find these reviews helpful. So, please vote (The "Was this review helpful to you: Yes or No" buttons) and leave a comment if you'd like, even if it's just to say, "Hi!" I respond to all comments so feel free to ask a question about the product. Also, when you leave a comment, I will go to your reviews and pay you the same courtesy.
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| Editorial Review :
FUJI FINEPIX S1000FD DIGITAL CAMERA
Customer Review :
Never any clear pictures
I have a Fuji FinePix S1000fd. I bought this camera to replace the old 5200 that I had. The 5200 worked really well. I set everything on auto and never had a problem. With this new camera, I can never get a clear shot unless outside and up close. The zoom is not big enough to take a good shot in the gym at gymnastic meets. My pictures in the house mostly turn out yellow. When I focus, it seems as if nothing is really in focus. I used to have a Minolta, but changed to a Fuji because of its size and portability. I am now going to try the Sony 330 L, because I have lots of lens from the old Minolta. I wish that I had returned this camera within the 30 days. I just hate it when everyone tells me to read the manual, or it is just the lighting. I do know how to work a camera. I have tried every setting on the SP1 and SP2 just to see the difference and still everything is grainy. I can never get a realy clear, crisp picture. Anyone have a Sony Alpha 330 L for sale really cheap.
Rating :
The Fuji Blues
I owned this camera recently, and sent it back. Buy a Canon, or Sony. don't waste your time with this one. The reviews on this one are right on, believe me, I know. I purchased the real deal this time, so should you. Don't buy it.
Rating :
An excellent buy at its pricepoint
I have owned this camera for over a year now, during which I have taken hundreds of photos, including product shots for ebay, performance candids of the musical groups I have been associated with, and various travel shots. Dozens of these have appeared on the web, and two were accepted for publication by the New York Times last summer.
More recently, I have purchased a wide-carriage photo printer and have been running off enlargements, including quite a few 13 x 19's.
My results across the board run from good to excellent. On the minus side, there are no threads for filters; the manual controls can be tricky to use; the shutter lag is a big pain under certain circumstances; and when you blow up a file to 13 x 19 you may notice a little falling off of sharpness and resolution at the edges of your print. But OMG, how much can you expect from a $200 camera? A few years ago, when I was shooting with film, I could only dream of getting extra large prints of this quality from a 35 mm neg.
A fine product at a very attractive price.
Rating :
really good camera
this is a really good camera. it has a lot of features and takes really high resolution and clear pictures. the pictures are too large for my purposes, hard to manage online, but i confess i have not really looked into how to change the settings, and suspect i could shrink it by asking for lower resolution.
the panorama ability is really fun. i would definitely buy this product agian. this is my second Fuji camera. i loved the first one, but was robbed.
my next camera will be a Fuji, i am very pleased with this companies products.
Rating :
Great Camera, Bulky to Hike with
I have used this camera for 3 years now. I really like the control options which are quick to access. I haven't used the shutter or aperture settings much, but use the program and natural setting 95% of the time. The Macros setting produces national geographic results. This is the important part; This is not a point and shoot camera. You must be very aware of the ISO settings, and the display indicating the F Stop and Shutter speed. I have seen a lot of reviews regarding the black results and how the camera is to blame. If you are not aware of the iso setting "thats the f button on the top right" and take a picture on a nice sunny day -with the iso on 800- it will result in a black photo. You can turn around and shoot into a dark creek without changing anything and it will turn out fine. I have learned if you keep it on ISO 64 (slow film for lots of light) and make sure the shutter speed is over 30 the result is a fantastic photo w/o noise. When you go inside change it up for less lighting etc..
- now the bad; I have not had very good results with the auto mode. I hope this helps
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