Fujifilm FinePix 2800 2MP Digital Camera w/ 6x Optical Zoom
List Price: $399.99
Details
- 6x visual plus 2.5x digital (15x total) autofocus zoom lens
- Uses 4 AA batteries (alkalines included)
- Impulsively connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
Description
Fuji Finepix 2800 Digital CamThe Fuji FinePix 2800 Zoom offers an modern design, a fantastic 6x optical zoom, and great image rank--all in an incredibly small form. Fuji has clearly departed from numerous of the usual design cues with the 2800. Most unforgettable is the introduction of the EVF--electronic viewfinder. This replaces the standard visual viewfinder and provides an SLR style experience. The benefits of this are more meticulous image composition (as parallax differences between viewfinder and lens are avoided), a well-advised indication of depth of field prior to taking the shot, and improved freestyle life over using the main LCD monitor.
The EVF is not a perfect denouement, though, as the panel is not as bright or detailed as its optical counterpart, has no diopter castigation for wearers of glasses, and disconcertingly freezes the image while autofocusing. At any rate, the EVF is a useful feature and places the 2800 at the cutting edge of digital camera sketch.
The 2800 is exceptionally easy to use, with manual controls fixed to adjusting white balance and exposure compensation. More mature photographers will miss the ability to fine-tune crevice, shutter speed, ISO settings, etc. The 6x optical zoom is superb and makes an titanic difference to picture quality and ease of composition--it equates to a zoom spread of 38-228mm on a standard 35mm camera.
Fuji has included a movie fashion with sound running at 10 frames per second and at a motion of 320 x 240 pixels. Disappointingly, this is limited to 60 seconds of recording every so often, regardless of the capacity of memory card in use. It also does not achieve use of the optical zoom, relying instead solely on the digital zoom. Other features incorporate voice captioning and, bizarrely on a camera of this specification, a video conferencing form enabling you to use it as a Webcam. A notable omission however, is the lack of a video-out socket.
As you would need from Fuji, the 2800 is straightforward to install and includes rag manuals for both the camera and the supplied software--this includes a elementary viewer/organizer, QuickTime, Videoimpression, and Adobe Photodeluxe. The 2800 uses four AA alkaline (supplied) or NiMH rechargeable batteries. Fuji recommends avoiding lithium batteries as the warmth discharged can damage the camera. --Nick Baxter
Pros:
- Restful to use, with automated controls
- Very good 6x optical zoom
- Electronic viewfinder (EVF) provides more precise image composition
- Bonus feature: can be used as a Webcam
Cons:
- EVF is undisturbed a little buggy
- Movie mode does not allow use of visual zoom, only digital
Traditionally, digital cameras with potent zoom lenses have been restricted to the middle and northern end of the market, but with the introduction of the FinePix 2800, Fuji has brought no laughing matter zoom power to an affordable, simple point-and-shoot.
Optics and Perseverance
The impressive autofocus lens on the 2800 zooms a full 6x--from 38mm to 228mm. In over, digital zoom of up to 2.5x is available, depending upon the sculpture quality setting. If you're taking pictures at the highest resolution, digital zoom is ruined to preserve image quality, but if you're shooting at a lower resolution, then you'll be accomplished to use some digital zoom, too.
The 2800's 2-megapixel sensor captures sufficiently detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For most inferior photographers, 2 megapixels is a great balance between representative quality and cost. Some photographers prefer higher-constancy sensors so they can crop away unwanted parts at the edges of their photos. Of orbit, these unwanted edges are often the result of a lens that can't zoom in far adequate, a situation that's less likely to come up when you're using the 2800. If 2 megapixels isn't adequately detail for you, the next higher-resolution camera that subdue has a long-zoom lens is the Minolta DiMAGE 5.
To compose your images, either use the 1.8-inch LCD flourish or the electronic viewfinder (EVF). An EVF looks like a traditional viewfinder, but when you put your eye up to it, you'll catch that you're actually looking at a miniature LCD display. This is the still and all arrangement used by many camcorders, and it has its pluses and minuses compared to a old viewfinder. The benefit is that you get to see all the extra information that's normally displayed on the strainer (battery condition, pictures remaining, any manual settings you've entered, etc). The imbroglio is that EVFs aren't very effective in low-light situations, which means you'll be confronted with a watch screen that's completely black when shooting at tenebrousness and in dimly lit rooms. With a little practice, you can learn to assassinate quite effectively without the benefit of the LCD screen when this picture comes up--after taking the shot, you can review it on the screen to insure you were pointing the camera in the right direction.
More Features
Like most of the access-level models in Fuji's lineup, the 2800 has relatively few unbiased features, but if you're feeling adventurous, you can adjust the white balance, unmasking compensation, and flash mode. There's also an audio-explanation feature that lets you record up to 30 seconds of audio eat with each picture you take. In addition, the camera can be old as an Internet Webcam when tethered to your computer via the included USB Mailgram.
The camera is made of plastic for light weight and affordability, and it feels reasonably powerful and durable. The lens is protected by a lens cap that's tethered to the camera so you won't yield it. This solution isn't quite as nifty as models with inescapable or sliding lens covers, but it works just as well.
Power
The Finepix 2800 uses four AA batteries--a set of obtainable alkaline batteries is included. The benefit to using standard AA batteries as a substitute for of a custom proprietary battery is that AA batteries are widely close by, so missing a once-in-a-lifetime shot due to dead batteries won't be an emergence.
If you only use the camera several times a year, high-ability lithium batteries are a logical idea, since they'll curb their charge for years when sitting in an unused camera. If you use the camera more instances, then the lithium batteries don't make economic or environmental nuance--we recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a pony. A digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries exceedingly quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display, so they aren't recommended except in a take. To ensure you'll always be ready for action, we recommend having two sets of rechargeables so you can everlastingly have one set in the camera and the other set in the charger.
Movie Mode
In talkie mode, the camera captures 320 x 240 video clips with audio for up to 60 seconds per clout. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this spot won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just pine for to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.
Storage and Transmittal
Images are stored on standard SmartMedia cards, and the included 16 MB be direct holds approximately 39 images at the camera's default settings. SmartMedia cards are reusable, but if you nurse to take more than 39 images per outing (on a vacation, for illustration), then you'll want a bigger card. A 64 MB card is a arrant size for this camera, storing around 150 images. To pass on images to your computer, simply attach the included USB wire between your PC and your camera. Your computer should on impulse recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your vigorously drive.
Size
At 3.7 by 3.0 by 2.8 inches and 13 ounces, the 2800 is surprisingly thick. It's a little thicker from front to back than some models, but this is a measly price to pay for the extra zoom.
Contents and Recommended Accessories
The include includes the camera, four AA alkaline batteries, video and USB cables, in partnership directly strap, 16 MB SmartMedia card, and software on CD.
Everything you beggary to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a haulage case, a higher-capacity memory card, and a battery mount plus a set or two of NiMH rechargeable size AA batteries. Compatible garnishing for this camera are listed near the top of this page. --Shane Burnett
Pros:
- 6x visual zoom is outstanding for its price
- Unusually good movie fashion--up to 60 seconds with sound
- Point-and-shoot manipulation makes it easy for even beginners to get great results
Cons:
- Included alkaline batteries are sole a short-term solution; rechargeable batteries are a necessity
- Inadequacy of manual controls may frustrate more advanced photographers
