List Price:
$399.99
Details
- Mechanically connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
- 6x visual plus 2.5x digital (15x total) autofocus zoom lens
- 2-megapixel sensor captures 1,600 x 1,200 images for prints at sizes up to 8 x 10 inches
Description
Fuji Finepix 2800 Digital Cam
The Fuji FinePix 2800 Zoom offers an pioneering design, a fantastic 6x optical zoom, and great image property--all in an incredibly small form. Fuji has clearly departed from various of the usual design cues with the 2800. Most VIP 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 careful image composition (as parallax differences between viewfinder and lens are avoided), a less ill indication of depth of field prior to taking the shot, and improved mobile life over using the main LCD monitor.
The EVF is not a perfect explication, though, as the panel is not as bright or detailed as its optical counterpart, has no diopter punishment for wearers of glasses, and disconcertingly freezes the image while autofocusing. Nonetheless, the EVF is a useful feature and places the 2800 at the cutting edge of digital camera undertaking.
The 2800 is exceptionally easy to use, with manual controls circumscribed to adjusting white balance and exposure compensation. More sagacious photographers will miss the ability to fine-tune hole, shutter speed, ISO settings, etc. The 6x optical zoom is superb and makes an prodigious difference to picture quality and ease of composition--it equates to a zoom index 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 accuracy of 320 x 240 pixels. Disappointingly, this is limited to 60 seconds of recording on occasion, regardless of the capacity of memory card in use. It also does not get use of the optical zoom, relying instead solely on the digital zoom. Other features catalogue voice captioning and, bizarrely on a camera of this specification, a video conferencing trend enabling you to use it as a Webcam. A notable omission however, is the lack of a video-out socket.
As you would envisage from Fuji, the 2800 is straightforward to install and includes line manuals for both the camera and the supplied software--this includes a above-board 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 animate discharged can damage the camera. --Nick Baxter
Pros:
- Affable to use, with automated controls
- Very good 6x optical zoom
- Electronic viewfinder (EVF) provides more correct image composition
- Bonus feature: can be used as a Webcam
Cons:
- EVF is quieten 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 capitals end of the market, but with the introduction of the FinePix 2800, Fuji has brought unsmiling zoom power to an affordable, simple point-and-shoot.
Optics and Decision
The impressive autofocus lens on the 2800 zooms a full 6x--from 38mm to 228mm. In above moreover, digital zoom of up to 2.5x is available, depending upon the ikon quality setting. If you're taking pictures at the highest resolution, digital zoom is impaired to preserve image quality, but if you're shooting at a lower resolution, then you'll be adept to use some digital zoom, too.
The 2800's 2-megapixel sensor captures passably detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For most bungling photographers, 2 megapixels is a great balance between embodiment quality and cost. Some photographers prefer higher-staunchness sensors so they can crop away unwanted parts at the edges of their photos. Of despatch, these unwanted edges are often the result of a lens that can't zoom in far adequacy, a situation that's less likely to come up when you're using the 2800. If 2 megapixels isn't enough respect for you, the next higher-resolution camera that still has a sustained-zoom lens is the Minolta DiMAGE 5.
To compose your images, either use the 1.8-inch LCD show or the electronic viewfinder (EVF). An EVF looks like a traditional viewfinder, but when you put your eye up to it, you'll assign that you're actually looking at a miniature LCD display. This is the word-for-word arrangement used by many camcorders, and it has its pluses and minuses compared to a accustomed viewfinder. The benefit is that you get to see all the extra information that's normally displayed on the movies (battery condition, pictures remaining, any manual settings you've entered, etc). The maladjusted is that EVFs aren't very effective in low-light situations, which means you'll be confronted with a perspective screen that's completely black when shooting at edge of night and in dimly lit rooms. With a little practice, you can learn to dart quite effectively without the benefit of the LCD screen when this place comes up--after taking the shot, you can review it on the screen to certain you were pointing the camera in the right direction.
More Features
Like most of the entr-level models in Fuji's lineup, the 2800 has relatively few ahead of its time features, but if you're feeling adventurous, you can adjust the white balance, laying open compensation, and flash mode. There's also an audio-shiny finish feature that lets you record up to 30 seconds of audio not working with each picture you take. In addition, the camera can be hardened as an Internet Webcam when tethered to your computer via the included USB wire.
The camera is made of plastic for light weight and affordability, and it feels reasonably complete and durable. The lens is protected by a lens cap that's tethered to the camera so you won't dissipate it. This solution isn't quite as nifty as models with self-acting or sliding lens covers, but it works just as well.
Power
The Finepix 2800 uses four AA batteries--a set of throw-away alkaline batteries is included. The benefit to using standard AA batteries in place of of a custom proprietary battery is that AA batteries are widely at one's disposal, so missing a once-in-a-lifetime shot due to dead batteries won't be an event.
If you only use the camera several times a year, high-condition lithium batteries are a logical idea, since they'll reduce their charge for years when sitting in an unused camera. If you use the camera more oft, then the lithium batteries don't make economic or environmental purport--we recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a mount. A digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries to the nth degree quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display, so they aren't recommended except in a run in. To ensure you'll always be ready for action, we recommend having two sets of rechargeables so you can in perpetuity have one set in the camera and the other set in the charger.
Movie Mode
In moving picture mode, the camera captures 320 x 240 video clips with audio for up to 60 seconds per cut short. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this attribute won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just fancy to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.
Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on model SmartMedia cards, and the included 16 MB card holds take 39 images at the camera's default settings. SmartMedia cards are reusable, but if you keep an eye on to take more than 39 images per outing (on a vacation, for specimen), then you'll want a bigger card. A 64 MB card is a significant size for this camera, storing around 150 images. To move images to your computer, simply attach the included USB strand between your PC and your camera. Your computer should intuitively recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your distinct drive.
Size
At 3.7 by 3.0 by 2.8 inches and 13 ounces, the 2800 is surprisingly concentrated. It's a little thicker from front to back than some models, but this is a slight price to pay for the extra zoom.
Contents and Recommended Accessories
The combine includes the camera, four AA alkaline batteries, video and USB cables, avoid strap, 16 MB SmartMedia card, and software on CD.
Everything you requisite to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a moving case, a higher-capacity memory card, and a battery steed plus a set or two of NiMH rechargeable size AA batteries. Compatible side dishes 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 method--up to 60 seconds with sound
- Point-and-shoot mission makes it easy for even beginners to get great results
Cons:
- Included alkaline batteries are just a short-term solution; rechargeable batteries are a necessity
- Fall short of of manual controls may frustrate more advanced photographers
