Features:- 2-megapixel sensor captures 1,600 x 1,200 images for prints at sizes up to 8 x 10 inches
- 6x optical plus 2.5x digital (15x total) autofocus zoom lens
- Included 16 MB Smartmedia card stores 39 images at default resolution
- Automatically connects with Macs and PCs via USB port
- Uses 4 AA batteries (alkalines included)
The Fuji FinePix 2800 Zoom offers an innovative design, a fantastic 6x optical zoom, and great image quality--all in an incredibly small form. Fuji has clearly departed from many of the usual design cues with the 2800. Most notable is the introduction of the EVF--electronic viewfinder. This replaces the standard optical viewfinder and provides an SLR style experience. The benefits of this are more accurate image composition (as parallax differences between viewfinder and lens are avoided), a better indication of depth of field prior to taking the shot, and improved battery life over using the main LCD monitor.
The EVF is not a perfect solution, though, as the panel is not as bright or detailed as its optical counterpart, has no diopter correction for wearers of glasses, and disconcertingly freezes the image while autofocusing. However, the EVF is a useful feature and places the 2800 at the cutting edge of digital camera design.
The 2800 is exceptionally easy to use, with manual controls limited to adjusting white balance and exposure compensation. More experienced photographers will miss the ability to fine-tune aperture, shutter speed, ISO settings, etc. The 6x optical zoom is superb and makes an enormous difference to picture quality and ease of composition--it equates to a zoom range of 38-228mm on a standard 35mm camera.
Fuji has included a movie mode with sound running at 10 frames per second and at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Disappointingly, this is limited to 60 seconds of recording time, regardless of the capacity of memory card in use. It also does not make use of the optical zoom, relying instead solely on the digital zoom. Other features include voice captioning and, bizarrely on a camera of this specification, a video conferencing mode enabling you to use it as a Webcam. A notable omission however, is the lack of a video-out socket.
As you would expect from Fuji, the 2800 is straightforward to install and includes paper manuals for both the camera and the supplied software--this includes a simple 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 heat discharged can damage the camera. --Nick Baxter
Pros:
* Easy to use, with automated controls
* Very good 6x optical zoom
* Electronic viewfinder (EVF) provides more accurate image composition
* Bonus feature: can be used as a Webcam
Cons:
* EVF is still a little buggy
* Movie mode does not allow use of optical zoom, only digital
Amazon.com Product Description
Traditionally, digital cameras with powerful zoom lenses have been restricted to the middle and upper end of the market, but with the introduction of the FinePix 2800, Fuji has brought serious zoom power to an affordable, simple point-and-shoot.
Optics and Resolution
The impressive autofocus lens on the 2800 zooms a full 6x--from 38mm to 228mm. In addition, digital zoom of up to 2.5x is available, depending upon the image quality setting. If you're taking pictures at the highest resolution, digital zoom is disabled to preserve image quality, but if you're shooting at a lower resolution, then you'll be able to use some digital zoom, too.
The 2800's 2-megapixel sensor captures enough detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For most amateur photographers, 2 megapixels is a great balance between image quality and cost. Some photographers prefer higher-resolution sensors so they can crop away unwanted parts at the edges of their photos. Of course, these unwanted edges are often the result of a lens that can't zoom in far enough, a situation that's less likely to come up when you're using the 2800. If 2 megapixels isn't enough detail for you, the next higher-resolution camera that still has a long-zoom lens is the Minolta DiMAGE 5.
To compose your images, either use the 1.8-inch LCD display or the electronic viewfinder (EVF). An EVF looks like a traditional viewfinder, but when you put your eye up to it, you'll find that you're actually looking at a miniature LCD display. This is the same arrangement used by many camcorders, and it has its pluses and minuses compared to a traditional viewfinder. The benefit is that you get to see all the extra information that's normally displayed on the screen (battery condition, pictures remaining, any manual settings you've entered, etc). The problem is that EVFs aren't very effective in low-light situations, which means you'll be confronted with a view screen that's completely black when shooting at night and in dimly lit rooms. With a little practice, you can learn to shoot quite effectively without the benefit of the LCD screen when this situation comes up--after taking the shot, you can review it on the screen to ensure you were pointing the camera in the right direction.
More Features
Like most of the entry-level models in Fuji's lineup, the 2800 has relatively few advanced features, but if you're feeling adventurous, you can adjust the white balance, exposure compensation, and flash mode. There's also an audio-annotation feature that lets you record up to 30 seconds of audio along with each picture you take. In addition, the camera can be used as an Internet Webcam when tethered to your computer via the included USB cable.
The camera is made of plastic for light weight and affordability, and it feels reasonably solid and durable. The lens is protected by a lens cap that's tethered to the camera so you won't lose it. This solution isn't quite as nifty as models with automatic or sliding lens covers, but it works just as well.
Power
The Finepix 2800 uses four AA batteries--a set of disposable alkaline batteries is included. The benefit to using standard AA batteries instead of a custom proprietary battery is that AA batteries are widely available, so missing a once-in-a-lifetime shot due to dead batteries won't be an issue.
If you only use the camera several times a year, high-capacity lithium batteries are a logical idea, since they'll hold their charge for years when sitting in an unused camera. If you use the camera more often, then the lithium batteries don't make economic or environmental sense--we recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a charger. A digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries extremely quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display, so they aren't recommended except in a pinch. To ensure you'll always be ready for action, we recommend having two sets of rechargeables so you can always have one set in the camera and the other set in the charger.
Movie Mode
In movie mode, the camera captures 320 x 240 video clips with audio for up to 60 seconds per clip. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.
Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on standard SmartMedia cards, and the included 16 MB card holds approximately 39 images at the camera's default settings. SmartMedia cards are reusable, but if you tend to take more than 39 images per outing (on a vacation, for example), then you'll want a bigger card. A 64 MB card is a great size for this camera, storing around 150 images. To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera. Your computer should automatically recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive.
Size
At 3.7 by 3.0 by 2.8 inches and 13 ounces, the 2800 is surprisingly compact. It's a little thicker from front to back than some models, but this is a small price to pay for the extra zoom.
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