» FujiFilm FinePix S3000 3.1MP Digital Camera w/6x Optical Zoom

FujiFilm FinePix S3000 3.1MP Digital Camera w/6x Optical Zoom Reviews

Customer Rating:
Summary: Best camera for under 100 dollars
Comment: I really like this camera, I came across it by chance. This camera is small and compact considering all the features, I did not buy mines new, I bought it online though via eBay and I paid 41 dollars for it plus an elevated shipping amount of 12 dollars. I can say I am pleased at getting a camera that works for a good price.

Note price was my main consideration, it does not have ISO but I will wait and get a Panasonic which has ISO. For now I just invested in a tripod and the camera shoot fine. I don't know why Amazon has this camera for so much I found this camera new on ebay for 75 dollars. Just a FYI for you. I mainly use my camera for taking picture of still object for product listing and auction and I like it a lot.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: This is an excellent starter camera!
Comment: I have used this camera on a semi-professional basis (I shoot for the local paper and have done some product shots for magazines, though I am not a full-time photographer) and I have won photography awards with it. This camera is easy to use, versatile, gets good results, and is reasonably priced.

To see some photos taken with this camera, go to BetterPhoto.com. Click on "photos" at the top, scroll down to "by camera" and enter Fuji Finepix S3000 in the search. It will bring up some links. Click on the name of the camera under "reviews". You will see a product detail and a thumbnail photo to the right of the page. Under it will say, "view photos created with this camera." Click on that to see pix taken with it. (I am not sure if I am allowed to put a direct link here).

What I love about this camera:
1. Its size. I can stick it in my purse and I can hold it comfortably with one hand. It's not too heavy or awkward to grab quickly or to carry around.
2. The macro setting. This has allowed me to get some detailed close-up shots of insects, frogs, toads and other small critters -- even those who aren't always likely to stand still.
3. The optical zoom. I have also used that to get good shots of critters. It's not a super powerful zoom but it is decent. And if you are willing to move around, too, you can get close enough to butterflies or frogs to get a nice photo.
4. In general, this photo does excellent "still life" type photos. I've done some really neat studio-type stuff with it.
5. Less shutter lag than any other point-and-shoot digital camera I have used. Shutter lag is a fact of life for any point-and-shoot digital camera. If you can't work around shutter lag, you need a film camera or a digital SLR, which will cost you at least 3 times as much as this model.
6. It's pretty darned good in low light. It will capture photos without the flash that my film SLR will not. With ANY camera -- even a digital SLR or 35mm -- if you are shooting in low light without flash, you want to use a tripod, brace yourself against a wall or something (and take multiple shots of the same thing), or set the camera down on a table or stack of books. Few cameras have the capability of taking night shots without some camera shake caused by the photographer's movement while the camera takes the picture. See the review by "an electronics fan."

If you buy this camera (or the newer model which is an S700, I think), here are my recommendations:
1. Shoot a lot of frames. I bought the 2 GB memory card and it holds 1300 photos on the highest resolution setting. I have never filled the card! And my family teases me by spoofing the song "500 Miles" as "500 Frames" so it's not that I don't try. :-) I got my butterfly shots through patience and a lot of frames. I did end up with a couple nice shots of just flowers (because the butterfly left before I could get the shot). I just accept that.
2. Get rechargeable batteries. It's about a $30 investment for the battery charger and two sets of AA rechargeable batteries. But it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
3. Experiment. Try different settings for the same subject and see how they turn out. You will get a lot more from this point-and-shoot than any other one on the market, IMHO.

Thanks for reading. I hope this was helpful!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: My first digital camera
Comment: When I first recieved this camera 2 1/2 years ago as a birthday gift, I was excited! I thought it was the best thing ever! That was until I purchased a Cannon digital camera recently. OH....WHAT A DIFFERENCE! This camera(the S3000) eats up batter life like NO tomorrow! In the middle of a concert I would have to change the batteries and that did not make me very happy after a while. I bought a Cannon digital camera a month ago and have only needed to change the batteries ONCE(and I use the camera a lot since I have kids, pets, nephews and nieces). I also do not like the fact that the S3000 only records silent video(very short video I must add). My new Cannon powershot camera records video with sound and it's VERY clear...NO need for a seperate video recorder now!
This camera is good for a beginner when it comes to digital cameras(just might hand the S3000 off to my Mom), but if you are familiar with digital cameras...don't buy this camera!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: My first Digital Camera
Comment: When I received this camera as a christmas present I was a little disappointed. It runs on four AA batteries, and since I had asked for a camera take pictures of local rock bands, I quickly discovered one set of four batteries would not get me through one three hour show!

When we brought it back to Circuit City, they (rudely, never again) informed us that this camera was outdated (it was less than a month in my possession) and they wouldn't return it. We called Fuji directly and they recommended rechargeable batteries. We bought some good ones, and now I can get through whole day festivals. I have had the camera for a year and a half now, and although I have to turn the flash on and and cover it with my hand to get good lowlight pictures, I am really happy with it's performance. If you are looking for a great "day at the beach with friends" camera, this is it. For serious forrays into nighttime photography, you will need to spend a little more money.
My vacation shots are perfect, my band shots are hit or miss.
It is/was the perfect starter camera.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Camera!
Comment: This has been a great camera for me. It has consistently taken very good pics of anything I point it at. The zoom is quick. I have used other 3 and 4 megapix cameras that did not come close to matching this camera in regard to pic quality, auto features, and flash range.
Only one negative...it takes 4 AA batteries, and if you don't use higher quality rechargable batteries you will go through batteries quickly. I use a set of 2000 mAh batteries and have rarely had them give out on me.

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