With a zoom this long, it has to be good, right? Evidently that's absolutely correct, as the critics over at
PhotographyBLOG adored what the
FinePix S2000HD was packin'. The camera wasn't the sharpest nor most evenly exposed megazoom they'd ever seen, but given the respectable asking price ($269), it was still deemed a winner. More specifically, reviewers found the image quality to be "perfectly acceptable given the build and asking price," and while the video wasn't true HD, it still trumped that of most rivals. In the end, the relatively compact 10-megapixel cam was seen as a perfect option for those not ready to splurge on a DSLR and a decent zoom lens, notching a very admirable 4 out of 5 overall rating.
posted Oct 8th 2008 11:10PM
$269?? dayum may have to look into this one.
So many cameras in the marketplace, it's hard making a decision.
True. But here's some tips:
1. Don't be seduced by the "Megapixels". A 12 MP camera really isn't automatically going to take better shots than a 8 or even 6 MP one. In fact it might be (for a technical standpoint) worse!
2. Go into the store and actually try them in your hands. Compare the feel of the grip as well as the placement of the buttons and other controls.
3. Also, if you've got one, take a memory card with you to the store (most cameras consumer accept SD). Shoot of a bunch of photos with the cameras you're interested in, and then compare these when you get home.
4. If you want Image Stabilization, make sure it's the real deal. Some cameras claim stabilization by raising the ISO sensitivity. The problem is that higher sensitivity = more "grain" (noise).
True. I'm having a tough time trying to decide between Fujifilm's S2000 HD and Kodak's Z1015 IS...so very close in most regards.
Fujifilm:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830122161
Kodak:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830170213
It's interesting that they opted to go with an SD slot only. I guess this means xD is obsolete, at least as far as Fuji is concerned.
Finally. The xD was left in the dust with the first SDHC. My last camera choice was partially based on the exclusion of this format in my decision even though Fuji and Olympus have some good choices.
DROOL!!!
I want this even though I barely use the 6m, 4x one I have, even though it was only designed to be "generic" camera.
This one truly seems to be a "pro-sumer" the specs (DUAL stabilization?) really makes you wonder what the competition will have to come out with just to COMPETE with this in details/price
The only thing I don't like about it is that at first glance it looks like half the camera is missing (give me a couple of minutes and I'll get over that
It's not really "dual stabilized". It has real stabilization (sensor shift), plus automatic ISO adjustment. I would honestly advise against using the latter if it at all possible, since giving the camera any control over the sensitivity just means random pictures will be made hopelessly grainy.
The ISO performance on Fuji cameras is basically superb - good enough to rival a low end SLR in my opinion, certainly trumps just about all consumer options.
So, auto ISO is likely not going to be too bad. If you don't know anything about photography then it'll probably be just fine.
I had this one recommend to me, you guys think it's good?
Not a big fan of the huge zoom but if everything else is good.
I brought this camera last week for my uncle, It cost $300 inclue shipping, at this price, it come with
4G CLass6 SDHC with Card Reader, A Good Camera Bag, 4x2700mah Sanyo Ni-Ch AA battery,, a
e-Benk Fast battery Charger, camera clean kits, LCD protector, nick-chain, a small desktop triple
and a bigger 1.2 meter aluminum triple(with fast-remove platform).
The camera build quality is good, image quality is ok. (compare to my old F20)
15x zoom is very useful, and 720P movie is so good.
My 4G SDHC card can take 1 hour 720p Mpeg4 movie, The Lens motor is quiet so I can zoom
while capture movie). "DUAL stabilization" is poor., and ISO performance is ok. (ISO800 still not bad)
However, I think "4 stars of 5" is correct score of this camera.
Maybe this is yet another "great" superzoom, I don't know, I am not such a big fan for superzooms anyhow.
My favorite (non SLR) digicam for this summer is Panasonic's DMC LX3, with super wide (goes as wide as 24mm) and super fast (f/2.0 at 24mm and 2.8 at 60mm). see at http://www.dprguru.com/?model=257908983.
Although, I admit the S2000HD looks good, certainly better than last year's superzooms, especially with reasonable wide angle capabilities (27.6mm). I never understood how people could get so excited about superzooms with lenses that wouldn't go wider than 35mm.
Pass....I do not like the super zooms that have the lens retract into the camera, plus, you have to wiggle the button for zooming. I prefer "full manual" control of the lens, including focus.
Try snapping a filter, or an extender on one of those retractable lens and see what happens.
I'll stick with my Panny FZ-50
Not exactly a review of the camera, but here is a video that gives a pretty good idea of the S2000HD's main features, check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXUsDrZNssw
I bought this one a few weeks ago. Overall I like it. I have a couple of problems with it.
1. the zoom is not variable. I had come to think that this is standard. It is also noisey. The manual warns you about the noise and suggests digital zoom when in video mode.
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2. The auto focus is not great. At two extremes, it is not very good. I took some great video of lightning in the clouds recently. If zoomed in too much, it goes out of focus very quickly. I think the auto focus should default to infinity when the zoom is maxed out. On the other end, I used super macro to take some pictures of ants in my cabinet that were taking the bait. There is some flower pattern covering in the cabinet and when the ants were in my sight, it wandered over to focus on the flowers.
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So, if you don't often go to extremes, it works great.
What I really like about it is that it has the multiple shot settings. You can click 33 pictures in a couple of seconds. When you choose that setting it takes it down to just below the 3mp setting and shoots away. Then you can do the same thing in 5 or 6 seconds at 5mp mode. Or get three fast ones off in under two seconds at full resolution.
One last thing about what I don't like about the "great" feature list. To plug the camera to a TV costs you $50 for the special cable and remote. Otherwise you get a straight 480i cable with red white and yellow.
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Zoom bracketing takes three pictues and steps them up and down with the digita zoom. You can do this in your proscessing software. I'll give them the fact that the digital zoom is added before the compression down to JPEG, but it is a minor difference.
I like the HD video. Does this have a lens cover?
I have a samsung s730 and I am looking for a really good camera, UNDER $300. Would this be a good choice?????? OR I am looking at the kodak Z1015 IS. HELP!!!!