62 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great camera, September 22, 2004
This review is from: Fujifilm Finepix E510 5MP Digital Camera with 3.2x Optical Zoom (Electronics)
This is a great little camera. Even w/ the batteries and memory card, it's still light weight. Sure, there are smaller ones, but the grip on this one made it easy and pleasant to take pictures. Not only is this camera very easy to use, but it also offers great features. The features that I liked are: design/style, 2" led, the use of only 2 AA batteries, button to power on/off (don't like the sliding ones, too many accidents), and it has a dial for selecting picture modes (that's the fastest and easiest way). Since I only paid $225 online incl. shipping for this camera, I found it to be bargain.
Pictures taken outdoors turned out great and very good for those taken indoors. Still, I'm very content. The battery does last a long time. Even w/ the LED on, I was able to take over 100 pics on a single charge before getting a low battery warning.
Why am I rating this great little light weight camera a 4 and not a 5? Because it uses XD cards. Pls be warned that even though XD cards is one of the smallest and fastest memory card available, it's the most expensive. That's the only reason that got me to think twice about keeping this camera. However, after trying it out for a week and seeing the results, I totally love this camera. I went out an bought a 512 xd card because I'm definitely keeping this one.
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41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great camera if you want it for the right features, October 8, 2005
This review is from: Fujifilm Finepix E510 5MP Digital Camera with 3.2x Optical Zoom (Electronics)
For someone looking for a simple point-and-click camera that can be easily operated by the biggest of idiots, this probably isn't for you. The Fujifilm is a good camera for those who are stepping up from the basics, but not yet an avid amateur photographer.
Compared to your basic point and shoot digital camera, like the Olympus D-395, this one has many features at a very good price. It's great for someone looking to learn more about photography but not yet willing to spend several hundred dollars if they're not sure they'll become immersed in the hobby.
However, those that fit that description should note that it's easy to screw up a picture if you screw with the settings without being sure of what you're doing. But once you get the hang of what happens when you change this and that, it's a pretty good camera to use as a learning tool.
As with any other electronic though, you should research carefully and decide what you want it to do the most. For instance, when I decided on a new camera, my priority was to get one with a great macro function. As such, this one was perfect for me. But for those looking for something like night shots as their top interest, I'd suggest something from the Canon A-series.
Alright, enough of that, I'll get to my pros and cons for this camera:
Pros:
- Macro shots. This camera has TWO macro modes- macro and super macro- and they're better than any camera I've ever used. Absolutely AMAZING macro photos. Hell, this is the first camera I've ever used that even HAD a super macro mode, and it was a wonderful addition. If the lighting is good enough, you can take a clear super macro shot without the need for a tripod or any sort of camera stabilization.
- Color and lighting. I rarely ever use flash in photography. My white balance is always on auto, and every single photograph has been an accurate capture of the scene's tones and color.
- Dark objects in photos. One problem I've had with digital cameras in the past was a very grainy, three-toned pixellated pattern on dark objects in photograph (like a black shirt). This camera doesn't give me that.
- Shutter lag. Practically non-existent. You press the shutter button, it takes the picture. There's no waiting, unless you have it on the 2 sec shutter speed, but then, that's not the camera's fault.
- LCD. Not only is it larger than most cameras, but the menus are VERY easy to understand, and Fuji put a durable plastic protector over the LCD, so if it gets stabbed by something in your purse or scratched, the screen won't be damaged at all.
- Optional lens additions. The silver plastic ring surrounding the existing lens is removed to allow a lens adapter, which can be used to hold a telephoto lens, a wide angle conversion lens, and any 43mm filter.
- Portraits and candid shots. This camera does just fine with human and animal subjects, be it a group shot with your friends or a snapshot of the dog sleeping. No worries there. I've noticed others saying that they've had some red-eye shots, but since I don't use flash, I can't really speak on that. However, given the right software, red-eye can be easily taken care of anyway.
- Manual focusing. On any of the 4 manual modes (Programmed auto, Shutter priority, Aperature priority, Manual), you can open the menu and switch the focus option from auto to manual. A pretty cool feature, but it really only does you any good if you're working with a stationary object. Still, it's come in handy before.
- USB interface cable. Unless you have an external card reader or a newer desktop PC that comes with several built-in card readers, you're going to need this cable. And really, there's no use in buying a card reader, because this interface works just fine. It can transfer a good 100 pictures and delete the ones on the card in a matter of a couple minutes.
Cons:
- Flash recycle. If you use the flash, it takes about 5-7 seconds to recycle and charge for another flash.
- Tiny viewfinder. This may just be me, since my 35mm has a HUGE viewfinder. I'm just not used to such a small thing. Not that I ever use it that often...
- The A/V & USB output ports cover is untethered to the camera. I lost mine within an hour. Fuji DOES include a second one, but I didn't bother with it anyway, since the absence of the cover isn't really that big a deal to me.
- It takes a lot of practice to get used to night shots and how to take them. This camera CAN take night shots, but you'll be spending a lot of time learning how to take them to get decent ones. I don't mind the practice so much, but others probably will.
- The slowest possible shutter speed is only 2 seconds, which is sort of weak for long exposure photography (probably part of why night shots are difficult).
- The fuction dial is way too easy to turn. Before you take a shot, you have to make sure it's on the mode you want it on. (I once tried to take a candid shot in a crowd, only to find that the dial had flipped over to night shot! Needless to say, that photo didn't turn out).
- Included software is pretty weak if you're used to having a lot of control, like with PhotoShop or PhotoStudio.
Accessories that are a MUST:
- A tripod if you do night/landscape shots. Also good for some macros. A $20 3-way pan tripod will work splendidly.
- NiMH rechargeable batteries and a charger. This thing will eat through disposable AA's in no time.
- Higher capacity xD card. The 16mb included card will hold 11 photos at 5mp normal. A 128mb will hold between 90 and 100 pictures at 5megapixels normal, and about 50 at 5mp highest quality (5mp normal is just great anyway, so there's not much need to go higher).
- For those who dabble in photomanipulation or basic editing, a copy of Adobe PhotoShop or Arcsoft PhotoStudio is recommended.
- If you dislike wrist straps as much as I do, a cheap case with a shoulder strap or belt loop is a good idea. It'll fit in pretty much any small camera case, so you may even have one already (I use my dad's old Minolta case with a belt loop; fits just perfectly with room for batteries and the USB & A/V cables).
So, as mentioned above, it really depends on how you want to use this camera. Those looking for an inexpensive camera with excellent macros should DEFINITELY consider this one. I have yet to find a camera with better macro shots under twice the price of this one. But those interested mostly in night and very low lighting photography should look elsewhere.
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