Customer Reviews

Fujifilm FinePix Z200fd 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I'm amazed there hasn't yet been a customer review on this amazing gadget. The Z200fd is the latest in the Z series from Fujifilm. I've owned the Z1, Z3, and Z10, and first thing I noticed on holding this is that it's heavier. This is due to the more expensive looking and feeling finish; shiny black enamel-like finish to the front, and stainless steel back, which makes me realize now just how cheap the plastic Z10 felt. As ever, the design is eye catching, and the camera is incredibly miniscule for the hefty punch it packs, smaller than a 160gb iPod (though a bit thicker). The Kate Moss of digicams. :-)

Powering on is still by sliding back the front panel, though this time it is done diagonally. Now while this may look fancy (which it is), I find it also makes it more difficult to accidentally turn the camera on while putting it in ones pocket or bag, something I found out rather painfully with the Z10 when I whipped it out at a dinner party to find the battery was totally drained as the cover panel had slid open when I put it in my pocket. The "Z" symbol in front lights up (nice and Star Trekky) for a few seconds and also serves as a countdown timer (for self timed photos) by flashing until the photo is taken.

The major attractions for me were the larger pixels; 10 megapixels (my 1gb XD card takes 207 shots at full resolution or 18 minute movie clips at 30 frames per second at a resolution of 640x480. You can get more images in, or longer movie times by lowering the resolution), the larger, very crisp toughened scratch resistant 2.7" LCD (on which you can preview 4, 9 or up to a hundred images in a 10x10 arrangement, or images as a slideshow), and the larger optical zoom reach of 5x (as with all others in the Z series, the zoom lens is non-extending) which is also wide angle (No more stepping away from the subject and landing in the pond behind :-)).

The rear (made up almost entirely of the 2.7" LCD) reverts to just one wheel (the 2 wheels on the Z10 confused me from time to time) which scrolls, as well as clicks up, down, left or right, through easy to follow menus or images, as well as zoom button, and the menu/playback button.

The camera takes XD and SDHC memory cards, and additionally has 52mb internal memory (good for 10 images at full resolution). Images can be stored in folders; My pictures, Family, Travel, Events, Favorites, as well as a folder that can be password protected, keeping safe those your torrid shots. Battery life is excellent (about 200 shots per charge), I almost always forget I need to re-charge the battery.

Now, onto image quality, what it was built to do. Incredible! Especially in low light conditions; dinners, outdoors at night, etc. There are various photo modes (I noticed there's a new one for underwater shots, hmm!) flash and ISO settings to twiddle with, though not enough for you if one is a pro. Good enough for me, especially the face detection/automatic red eye removal (this now gets a separate button atop, beside the shutter button) which basically takes the photo for you. I still wish there was a separate button though enabling one to switch from still to movie mode. As it is, one has to go through the menu to access that.

You can edit photos too; clip, rotate, reduce to blog size (convenient for emails as file sizes at maximum resolution is close to 5mb) and even send or receive images with other IR enabled cameras by infra red. I tried it with my PC (which is IR enabled) and it didn't work though, shame!

There's an AV cable to connect to your TV to view images or movie clips (it uses the same port as the USB and has a nice little cover for the port on the side), and as ever, the Finepix software is first class. Photos up to A3 size can be printed in crystal clear resolution.

This camera will not please those who are used to extensive manual settings and loads of tinkering with ISO levels, white balance, and other photographic jargon, but if you're like me, and just want to be able to whip out your camera, and without much fuss, capture the moment, this camera is for you. Super!

I am what you call a "technology idiot" so if I can use this camera and figure out the features, anyone can. I am so pleased with this camera. I love the sleak look. It's light and easy to pull out and turn on for fast pictures. I love the features and how easy it is to use. I only have a few complaints... the black smudges easily and gets fingerprints on it rather quickly, so I'm forever wiping it clean. The other complaint/problem I've been having (but maybe because I'm a techno idiot, I can't figure it out) but everytime I upload pics, I only want to upload the new pics, but for some reason, (I checked the settings over and over again) ALL the pics upload... and I don't like that because at 10m, it takes a while... But overall, I'm pleased. I did my research, and was skeptical because it's a new product, but I would recommend this camera to anyone...

This is my fourth Fuju digital camera and my third "Z" camera. I love this camera. I purchased this to take photos I can enlarge and have printed several 16" by 20" prints that look great. I like available light indoor pictures for a more natural look and this camera's dual anti-shake feature makes it possible to take clear pictures indoors without a flash. I have made several videos that look great also. The camera is a great size and a beautiful deisgn. My favorite camera ever, by far. I recommend this camera 110%.

I used to own a Sony Cybershot and it broke in a year.. I take photos every day literally and I guess it couldn't stand that much usage? Anyways, I wasn't happy with it..

But I read some reviews on Amazon about Fujifilm and I bought this camera..

First of all, I hate pink. It reminds me of Paris Hilton and
socialite drama-ness.. BUT, this pink is classy. I like it A LOT.

Second of all, the camera focuses SOO WELL! It focuses SO well even inside in the dark! The face recognition is also terrific! My sony cybershot didn't focus at all inside buildings, so I was VERY pleasantly surprised..

Third of all, the video quality is SOO great.. I payed half the price I paid for Sony, yet the video quality is better and the sound is too!

Fourth of all, it is just so little and compact. and the slider cover is just so cute.. i like that it goes diagonally..

The pictures taken in the dark can have some blue noise (if you zoom in a lot on your computer), but it compensates by focusing extra well!
But when you're outside, it's SOOO pretty! The colors are so vibrant.

Actually, I recently took pictures of fireworks and, even though it was in the dark of the night, the fireworks came out so crisp and clear! so pretty...

Overall, I really LOVE this camera... LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

I have a Fuji S5200 which I couldn't be more pleased with but wanted a camera that I could slip into my pocket, keep in the car or throw into my computer bag on business trips. I've owned the Z200fd for a little over 8 months now. I have used it in so many conditions: snow, rain, bright sun light, at the beach, in the desert, on a lake, landscapes, parties, concerts, fireworks, museums and for auction sites.

The Fuji Film quality is unmatched. I've had film developers tell me that they rarely see such clear, high quality pictures. I've added a couple of pictures I took at a concert to a band's blog and they now use them on their website. Most of my friends ask to use my camera when taking photos at parties even though many people have a camera because of the quality of the pictures. I work for a Fortune 100 company and a couple of my pictures have been blown up to 18x24 and framed outside of our main customer conference room because of the crystal clear quality. Again, these were photos taken with the Z200fd and not with the entry level pro model S5200.

Fuji cameras come with software and a USB connector that make uploading simple. You can buy a mini tripod that screws into to bottom of this camera and make this your camera of choice for every occasion. The camera comes with multiple settings for many of the situations I described above so you don't have to worry about aperture or low-light/backlight situations. It is very easy to use for the novice and a handy alternative for the pro.

Great style and fashion, great pics and nice user interface. Really idiot-proof. The mic seems a little soft on movies but maybe it's my environment, I'm no professional. Black front and screen are super-smudgy, that's what I get for not shelling out more cash for stainless steel. For the price, really nice.

I recently bought the Fuji Z200fd to replace a defective and poorly designed Canon A480 which I returned to Amazon. I'm very happy with my Fuji! It's small and thin but feels heavy and well constructed. Battery life has been excellent, and you can buy a spare battery for it for less than $30, but I've never found a need to do so. I like the fact that it doesn't etend it's lense outside of the camera body, which makes it less likely to catch on anything or be damaged. The lens cover slides diagonally across the front to power it on, making it less likely that you will turn it on accidentally putting it in your pocket or a case. It takes both XD & SD cards which is a plus if you have some of the XD cards around from an older Fuji. Takes very good pictures and has a number of special shooting modes. Menus are a little complicated at first, but you learn them the more you use the camera. Doesn't have an optical veiwfinder, but the LCD has worked well for me. Great little camera!

Excellant camera, compact but takes great pictures. The only problem we have had is that it is somewhat difficult to use in bright sunlight as there is not a 'viewfinder'. All in all we are very happy with the camera

Good color and pictures, but it is not so good when take short distance photos. Overall it is a good product worth what you pay.

I loved this camera. It takes great pictures in low light without flash. I was surprised at how good the picture was without flash. I have used many difital cameras in past, none of this quality.

Pros:
1) Amazin picture quality in low light
2) Many mode selection such as Party, Snow, Underwater (Needs a waterproof cover), Museum etc Which are not there in many leading brands
3) Amazing video quality
4) 5x Optical zoom with image stabilization
5) The shutter to switch the camera on/off is kind of kool.
6) Ability to take 2 pictures consecutively with/without flash. Shows both of them side by side to compare.

.. And Many more.

Cons:
1) Bit tricky to operate the controls and change the settings. Need to get used to it.
2) Not very fast in taking simultaneous pictures. need to wait a little longer.
3) It's MSRP.

Overall A Great camera worth buying.