List Price:
$399.99
Details
- On impulse connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
- Uses 4 AA batteries (alkalines included)
- Included 16 MB Smartmedia slated stores 39 images at default resolution
Description
Fuji Finepix 2800 Digital Cam
The Fuji FinePix 2800 Zoom offers an modern design, a fantastic 6x optical zoom, and great image mark--all in an incredibly small form. Fuji has clearly departed from diverse of the usual design cues with the 2800. Most pre-eminent 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 exact image composition (as parallax differences between viewfinder and lens are avoided), a heartier 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 figuring out, though, as the panel is not as bright or detailed as its optical counterpart, has no diopter rectification for wearers of glasses, and disconcertingly freezes the image while autofocusing. In all events, the EVF is a useful feature and places the 2800 at the cutting edge of digital camera design.
The 2800 is exceptionally calm to use, with manual controls limited to adjusting white scales and exposure compensation. More experienced photographers will pass over the ability to fine-tune aperture, shutter speed, ISO settings, etc. The 6x visual zoom is superb and makes an enormous difference to picture grade and ease of composition--it equates to a zoom range of 38-228mm on a example 35mm camera.
Fuji has included a movie mode with enunciate running at 10 frames per second and at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Disappointingly, this is circumscribed to 60 seconds of recording time, regardless of the capacity of thought card in use. It also does not make use of the optical zoom, relying as opposed to solely on the digital zoom. Other features include instrument captioning and, bizarrely on a camera of this specification, a video conferencing SOP enabling you to use it as a Webcam. A notable omission however, is the lack of a video-out socket.
As you would calculate from Fuji, the 2800 is straightforward to install and includes assignment manuals for both the camera and the supplied software--this includes a uncomplicated 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 fieriness discharged can damage the camera. --Nick Baxter
Pros:
- Flexible to use, with automated controls
- Very good 6x optical zoom
- Electronic viewfinder (EVF) provides more with an eye to image composition
- Bonus feature: can be used as a Webcam
Cons:
- EVF is unruffled a little buggy
- Movie mode does not allow use of visual zoom, only digital
Traditionally, digital cameras with weighty zoom lenses have been restricted to the middle and characters upper class end of the market, but with the introduction of the FinePix 2800, Fuji has brought moment zoom power to an affordable, simple point-and-shoot.
Optics and Answer
The impressive autofocus lens on the 2800 zooms a full 6x--from 38mm to 228mm. In additionally, digital zoom of up to 2.5x is available, depending upon the concept 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 accomplished to use some digital zoom, too.
The 2800's 2-megapixel sensor captures enough particularize for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For most amateur photographers, 2 megapixels is a consequential balance between image quality and cost. Some photographers approve higher-resolution sensors so they can crop away unwanted parts at the edges of their photos. Of advance, these unwanted edges are often the result of a lens that can't zoom in far enough, a setting that's less likely to come up when you're using the 2800. If 2 megapixels isn't passably detail for you, the next higher-resolution camera that noiseless has a long-zoom lens is the Minolta DiMAGE 5.
To compose your images, either use the 1.8-inch LCD unfold or the electronic viewfinder (EVF). An EVF looks like a traditional viewfinder, but when you put your eye up to it, you'll find out that you're actually looking at a miniature LCD display. This is the unmodified arrangement used by many camcorders, and it has its pluses and minuses compared to a ritual viewfinder. The benefit is that you get to see all the extra information that's normally displayed on the shelter (battery condition, pictures remaining, any manual settings you've entered, etc). The incorrigible is that EVFs aren't very effective in low-light situations, which means you'll be confronted with a direction screen that's completely black when shooting at tenebrousness and in dimly lit rooms. With a little practice, you can learn to propel quite effectively without the benefit of the LCD screen when this employment comes up--after taking the shot, you can review it on the screen to assure 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 highly developed features, but if you're feeling adventurous, you can adjust the white balance, revealing compensation, and flash mode. There's also an audio-spin feature that lets you record up to 30 seconds of audio lay aside with each picture you take. In addition, the camera can be second-hand as an Internet Webcam when tethered to your computer via the included USB hawser.
The camera is made of plastic for light weight and affordability, and it feels reasonably valid and durable. The lens is protected by a lens cap that's tethered to the camera so you won't be beaten it. This solution isn't quite as nifty as models with ineluctable or sliding lens covers, but it works just as well.
Power
The Finepix 2800 uses four AA batteries--a set of expendable 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 accessible, so missing a once-in-a-lifetime shot due to dead batteries won't be an culmination.
If you only use the camera several times a year, high-faculty lithium batteries are a logical idea, since they'll retain c stop their charge for years when sitting in an unused camera. If you use the camera more regularly, then the lithium batteries don't make economic or environmental detect--we recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a stallion. A digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries very quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display, so they aren't recommended except in a thieve. To ensure you'll always be ready for action, we recommend having two sets of rechargeables so you can evermore have one set in the camera and the other set in the charger.
Movie Mode
In silent picture mode, the camera captures 320 x 240 video clips with audio for up to 60 seconds per section. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this stress won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just penury to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.
Storage and Move
Images are stored on standard SmartMedia cards, and the included 16 MB playing-card holds approximately 39 images at the camera's default settings. SmartMedia cards are reusable, but if you apt to take more than 39 images per outing (on a vacation, for archetype), then you'll want a bigger card. A 64 MB card is a proficient size for this camera, storing around 150 images. To change images to your computer, simply attach the included USB strand between your PC and your camera. Your computer should mechanically recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your grievous drive.
Size
At 3.7 by 3.0 by 2.8 inches and 13 ounces, the 2800 is surprisingly condensed. It's a little thicker from front to back than some models, but this is a paltry price to pay for the extra zoom.
Contents and Recommended Accessories
The container includes the camera, four AA alkaline batteries, video and USB cables, unequivocally strap, 16 MB SmartMedia card, and software on CD.
Everything you requirement 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 mount plus a set or two of NiMH rechargeable size AA batteries. Compatible garnishes 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 manner--up to 60 seconds with sound
- Point-and-shoot company man 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
- Deficit of manual controls may frustrate more advanced photographers
