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135 of 138 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
VERY Nice for the Price!, January 21, 2007
OK, let's start off with what this camera ISN'T:
1. A point and shoot for easy carry
2. A DSLR that costs $1000+
3. A movie camera
OK, now that we've said that, let's talk about what this camera IS:
1. A LONG zoom DSLR-LIKE camera
2. Easy to hold
3. Easy to zoom
4. A RAW-capable, low-noise, excellent color photo machine
This camera is Fuji's answer to the Sony DSC-H5 and the Powershot G series cameras. It has 6MP of resolution in a CCD chip mounted behind a large 10.7x optical, MANUAL zoom. Let's examine some of the points to consider when talking about cameras.
First, resolution is misleading. Many consumers think that higher megapixels mean a nicer photo with sharper details and camera companies encourage this thinking by slapping megapixel numbers on the front of the camera and all over the ads. Keep in mind, though, that megapixels alone do not a perfect photo make. The pixels are tiny dots on an imaging chip and each pixel is only sensitive to ONE of the three colors cameras use to record light information: red, green or blue. Camera manufacturers choose how much of each chip's pixel allotment is assigned to each color, so you may find that maybe 50% is green and 25% each is red and blue. Once that's decided, the chip maker has to determine the number of pixels to put on the chip. Well, the bigger chips (like in DSLRs) can hold more pixels and the smaller chips (like in any camera that's NOT a DSLR) can hold more pixels ONLY if the pixels are made smaller. So, if you have a half-inch chip with 10 MP and a quarter-inch chip with 10MP, the smaller chip has MUCH smaller pixels so it can squeeze them all in. Now, you might think that this is good, since smaller pixels can capture more detail...but you're wrong. When pixels are crammed too closely together, they can interfere with each other and loss of detail (noise) can result. This camera has a 6MP resolution that is well-suited to the size of the chip. The next model up, the s9000, has too many pixels on the chip and the images are noisier as a result. So, in the basic area of resolution, this camera is respectable and, with its MANY modes, scene presets, color saturation, sharpness and exposure control and manual focus, you will be taking nice, sharp, pleasant photos.
The next big thing is the zoom. Bigger is usually better and this is no exception. A large zoom allows for framing shots and the wide angle on this lens is perfect for scenes of mountains or beaches. The manual zoom feature on this cannot be ignored: it is a SUPERIOR form of zoom control. The zoom is fluid-damped, so it's smooth and precise. You also get a manual focus ring if you need to use it and the LCD shows a focus check circle when you do (the "manual zoom" is controlled by your fingers, but it is technically electronic.) The only downside is the lack of optical stabilization. At long zooms, this is critical for a good shot. The digital stabilizer just doesn't work as well.
This camera can also shoot in RAW mode. This is CRITICAL for those professional-looking shots! You can get the image straight off the chip, with NO processing and then edit it with the included software. This means that you can adjust white balance, sharpness, color and the color curve very precisely...almost like being able to take the photo over again! I've done some macro work with the RAW mode and have been very pleased with what a little tweaking can do. This camera encourages you to learn how to use it by being able to take good impromptu photos (with the very functional face detection system) and then allowing you to set whatever manual settings you want to. Note that the JPG mode is good, but the compression of the JPG algorithm inevitably means loss of detail. It's best (though inconvenient) to shoot RAW and convert in Photoshop to TIFF for printing perfect photos.
The camera's other features are nice, as well: big, crisp 2.5" LCD with plenty of pixels for clear viewing, a previous shot mode that shows the three previous shots alongside your current window to help you frame things, a killer 640x480 movie mode with sound and 30fps capture and a long battery life with rechargeable Ni-MH AA batteries. Proprietary battery packs are a pain in the rear if you're caught without a spare or hours to charge. With this, you can, in a pinch, grab some alkalines and get the shots you need! HUZZAH, FUJIFILM!
I've taken hundreds of photos with this since I got it and I can definitely say that, if you learn how to use it and the principles of photography, you can take GREAT photos with this. If, however, you don't care about anything but pushing a button and getting an acceptable photo, then this is probably too much camera for you. You MUST accept the fact that this is NOT a DSLR with a big chip and expensive lenses and it's not a movie camera...but it is very good for what it does and it is a definite recommend.
The only bad point is the ridiculous xD card that is only for Olympus and Fuji cameras. Not only are they more expensive per GB than any other card format, but they currently only go to 2GB. That's a lot of photos, but it's still inferior to being able to get an 8GB CF or a 4GB SD card. The s9000 CAN use CF cards, but this camera, in my opinion, takes less noisy photos and is the better buy for the price.
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83 of 84 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Why do you need a digital SLR when you can have this?, November 19, 2006
This camera was bought to replace a Kodak z740 which had lots of issues with focusing in low light. The s6000fd from Fuji is the same size of the more expensive digital SLRs and has a nice 'sturdy' feel and weight. The fact also that the camera runs on 4 'AA' batteries is nice, on one set of 2500 mAh rechargable NiMH, I have taken around 350 pictures and there is still no sign of weak batteries (it alerts you when the batteries are @ 1/4 charge left).
The manual zoom worried me at first, but since using it I will NEVER go back to the powered (?) zoom. The camera also has a manual focus ring for those that want more control. Speaking of control, the s6000fd has FULL manual control. The ISO range can go up to 3200 ISO, but noise is quite noticeable in this area. The flash has a LONG range and will light up my whole living area. The 'face detection' feature really does work and is nice to have for those of use that take a lot of portrait shots or general people shots. Face detection works by finding faces in a scene and focusing on that, not something else. It can find up to 10 faces in one scene. Natural light mode is also nice, and even though some noise will be noticed on the computer screen, it is not on actual prints. The camera also has a 'Scene position' mode that includes preset settings for beach, snow, parties, museums, fireworks, sunsets, sports, nights, landscapes, anti-blur and portraits. The camera also includes a movie feature, but I can not speak for that since I will not use the camera to make movies. I must say this camera does NOT have image stabilization, but rather the anti-blur mode. The anti-blur works by bumping up the ISO and switching to a faster shutter speed. This works, but optical image stabilization would have been better, then again I have never found the need for either. The LCD is nice and BIG for us aging people. Focusing occurs in a snap and is the fastest I have ever seen on an advanced zoom camera. Remember the low light focusing issue that I mentioned earlier with the z740? Non existent on the s6000fd! I have taken tons of pictures in low light and they all have come out sharp and focused perfectly.
The only complaints are that to delete a picture after taking it is to go into review and delete it from there. There is no way to delete immediately after taking. The only other issue is that it uses XD cards, instead of the more readily available SD cards. Just a side note, when I bought the XD card to use with the camera, I bought the Olympus 1 GB Model H card, its write time is about three time that of the Model M cards.
Make sure to check out a few of the pictures I have posted above for some samples of this wonderful camera's pictures! Enjoy!
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128 of 133 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very impressed, October 6, 2006
The "face detection" feature, which sounds like a gimmick, for me quantifies this as the best digital I've ever used. A green box will appear over your subjects face and if they're like my toddler are constantly moving will actually follow their face (as long as they are looking in the general viscinity of the camera). It will give focus and lighting priority to their faces. It even works on the TV (had to try it). The macro is excellent, and while I wasn't sure of a manual zoom it's way faster and ultimately better than a battery consuming zoom. The ISO of 3200 can take unblurry pictures without the flash in my very dark house and they're still usuable VS the throw away blurrrrr of my canon. I'm really happy I finally pulled the trigger and bought this over the S3-IS. - (From a former S2-IS owner.) Only complaints are it's fairly large, but you can't put any super zoom in your pocket really.. The "on board" memory is about the dumbest thing ever. You can take about 1 picture on the finest mode before it's full. What's the point of that? I don't understand why you would buy a 6.3mp and use low quality shots. BUT the good news is the XD cards hold more per MB than the SD cards and are fast. Use the "M". I got a 1gb card they're quite reasonable and it'll hold about 350 pics at the best resolution (fine). If you want really rapid shots you're probably better off with a DSLR (more money). This will take a shot about every two seconds with the correct focus settings. If you need faster than that.. you're not looking at sub $500 cameras anyways..
To the reviewer before me: It takes one button to use all flash features. Push once for AUTO, then once for Red Eye Reduction, then once for Forced (what yours was obviously on) and once more for suppressed (always off). They use the the lightning bolt icon same as on a Sony, and on a Canon, And it takes one setting to turn off the preview after you take a shot. Landscape setting is only for LANDSCAPES you have a landscape shot in your backyard? Compact flash cards are outdated (too big) compared to SD or XD, and you show me a new digital camera not made of plastic and I'll eat my review. I do know it is sometimes about the "feel" that's a very personal thing.. And I'm not trying to be a jerk here but you should have used "AUTO". Because anyone who doesn't know how to shut of a flash shouldn't be using the advanced settings, and then complain when they don't turn out right. I think you also shouldn't slam a product without reading the manual . It's just not fair to the manufacturers. I hope you like your next one. Cheers!
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