FujiFilm FinePix S5000 3.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom Review

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(More customer reviews)My dear husband, (a pro photographer) clued me into this camera before it was even shipped from Fuji factory. It compares to the top of the line Nikon Coolpix and Olympus high end digicams costing $800-1,000. But it outshoots all its competitors even though the others cost a lot more $$. I have been shooting this camera for only 3 days now (it was just released for sale last week) and I love it. My husband loves it and is thinking of buying one for himself even though he owns 3 digital SLR cameras and numerous 35mm Nikons. The photos from the S5000 look fantastic even at the 1mb and 3mb sizes. The lens is really sharp and the 10X zoom allows one to compose just about any photo one can envision. The camera fits nicely in the hand, buttons are intuitive and easy to reach, and one can shoot pics one-handed. It is a much smaller camera than it appears from photos, it is shorter than my cricket lighter!
It has a short lag time between pressing the shutter and making the image, as ALL digicams do, but I get around that by using the "best of 5" mode...it can blaze off 5 pics in one second, capturing precious fleeting expressions of my 3 month old son that other cameras would miss. White balance is terrific, skin tones look very realistic to life, metering is right on with what a pro photog would select. You won't regret owning this truly awesome camera. I'm loving it so much I'm ordering a second xd card to take even more pics.
Just buy it!!!

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The SLR-styled Fujifilm FinePix S5000 combines a powerful 10x optical zoom lens with a 3.1-megapixel Fujifilm Super CCD, which is capable of nearly doubling the number of effective pixels that are processed and stored. The S5000 also features a movie mode with audio, high sensitivity settings, continuous frame shooting, and a host of manual controls.
Optics and Resolution The FinePix S5000 features a powerful f/2.8 Fujinon 6x aspherical zoom lens that's equivalent to 37-370mm in 35mm photography and a smooth 3.2x digital zoom. The S5000's Super CCD HR offers 3.1 effective megapixels (2048 x 1536 pixels), which can translate to 6.1 million recorded pixels (2,816 x 2,120 pixels). It also offers 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, and 1280 x 960 resolution modes.
Effective pixels are the number of light sensitive pixels that are actually used by the camera's image sensor (the CCD) to record light. The term recorded pixels refers to the number of output pixels that are recorded to the memory card.
FujiFilm's Super CCD The Super CCD is a proprietary version of the CCD (charged coupling device) system of light-gathering diodes that captures images into pixels. The Super CCD utilizes larger, octagonal-shaped, light-gathering diodes called Picture Elements (pixels) that are laid out in a saw-tooth pattern. Super CCDs can capture more light information than ordinary CCDs.
The FinePix S5000 features the fourth generation Super CCD HR (High Resolution), which is capable of nearly doubling the number of effective pixels that are processed and stored as additional detail in the recorded pixel file.
Movie Mode and Voice Memo Feature The S5000 captures continuous QVGA-quality MPEG video with audio at a length only limited by the size of your memory card. You'll get 320 x 240 pixel video at 30 frames per second. With the included 16 MB XD memory card, you can capture 26 seconds of video.
The voice memo feature enables you to attach short audio recordings (up to 30 seconds) along with your captured photos to help you remember details. The voice memos are saved as WAV files and can be e-mailed along with image files.
More Features The S5000 has an accurate, state-of-the-art, high-speed autofocus (AF) system that makes focusing quicker and more precise. The AF Assist illuminator ensures accurate focus on specific areas in low light conditions. The continuous autofocus feature automatically adjusts focus as the camera moves. The continuous shooting mode enables you to capture 5 frames per second at 6 MP (megapixel) mode, or up to 40 frames at 1 MP mode.
Other features include:
1.5-inch LCD monitor and .33-inch electronic viewfinder
Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, forced flash, suppressed flash, and slow synchro modes
Shutter speed: 2 seconds to 1/2000 second
Still image formats: JPEG and CCD RAW
Exposure modes include automatic, manual, aperture priority, exposure compensation, program AE, and shutter priority auto mode.
Storage and Transfer Images are stored on XD memory cards, and a 16 MB card is included. When shooting images at 6 MP, the 16 MB card will store approximately 10 images; at 3MP, you can store approximately 19 images. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means it can be connected to any USB-based Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.
Power and Size The camera is powered by 4 AA batteries; alkaline batteries are included, but rechargeable NiMH batteries are recommended. It measures 4.4 by 3.2 by 3.1 inches and weighs 11.9 ounces (excluding batteries and media).
What's In The Box This package includes the FinePix S5000 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, 4 AA alkaline batteries, USB and A/V cables, shoulder strap, and lens adapter ring. The included CD-ROM features FinePix View 4 imaging software, Image Mixer VCD for FinePix, QuickTime 5, and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

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Panasonic DMC-L1 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica 14-50mm Mega O.I.S. Lens Review

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(More customer reviews)After holding out for years before making the switch from film to digital, I finally made the leap with the DMC-L1. I have used a variety of DSLRs and digital point-and-shoot cameras prior to this. Specifically, when I was considering the DMC-L1, I was also considering the Canon 30D, and the Nikon D80 and D200 (I already had a number of Nikon lenses).
After trying all of the above cameras, I was completely in love with the DMC-L1's feel and ease of use. The shutter speed dial and aperture ring are extremely intuitive to use. Overall, the camera feels much less "fiddly" than the other models I looked at -- I didn't like having to drill down through multiple menus on the other DSLRs to get to what I was looking for.
Probably the single greatest selling point to this camera is the lens. It's one of the crispest that I've ever used. I have a Nikon 80mm F1.8 that has been my favorite for years, and the Leica lens has almost instantly supplanted it. The zoom range is pretty good for general shooting, and situations where you want to travel light [...].
One of the other selling points include the simple but sensible live-view mode, which allows you to compose your shots on the camera's LCD screen. This is a huge advantage for shooting static or slow moving subjects -- you can really compose your shot, re-arrange elements, and use the depth-of-field preview to get a good sense of how everything is going to look. However, because the mirror has to flip down for the camera to focus and meter, it is too slow for most high-speed action work.
The Mega OIS feature on the included lens is superb -- I've never used anything like it. There are two modes, but mode "2" is the only one I use -- it corrects for camera shake only when you take the picture, rather than continuously as in mode "1". I've taken a number of hand-held pictures at 1/4 of second or slower that would have been disasters with a non-OIS lens. Remember to turn OIS off if you are using a tripod, though.
Being able to save RAW images was a selling point for me, too. This may not matter as much to others, but I like being able to edit the RAW file before "developing" it into an image file.
Ergonomically, the camera is good. I would say that the Canon 30D is a better fit in my hand, but since I'm not going to be holding the camera for 12 hours a day it's not been a problem. I find the buttons and their locations to be sensible, and the thumb-wheel although small, works very well. My favorite elements are the two programable buttons located near the shutter release. Depending on the type of shooting I am doing, I reprogram these to my most often used functions (say EV, ISO, or film type). The film "type" feature is also worth noting, and may have some appeal to those that don't want to both with RAW images. There are a number of pre-programed "films" and two user programable "films" that affect the color and feel of the final images. This is a nice way to generate some decent images without going through the trouble of developing RAW images.
So in summary:
Cons:
OK ergonomics -- people with large hands or short fingers may have difficulties.
View-finder takes some getting used to. Information display is good, but it feels smaller than others I've used.
This camera is not for people who want to take mostly pictures of very high-speed action. It is also not for people who want 20" X 30" prints (because of the lower pixel count).
Pros:
Very intuitive feel, particularly for converts from more traditional SLRs
Fantastic lens
Live View image composition on camera's LCD screen
Mega OIS image stabilization lens
Much less fiddling than with other DSLRs -- more time shooting, less time looking through menus.
RAW + JPEG file formats
Great expansion options with the Four/Thirds lens line
[...].

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Pan dmc-l1 w/leica 14-50mm

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Panasonic DMC-FZ50 10.1MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)In the past, I've owned or used several Panasonic Lumix models. All were good digital cameras. The FZ-50, however, is something very special.
The Leica approved lens design is, as always, superbly sharp. From a butte with a 50+ mile view, landscapes of wheat fields were crisp and highly detailed and the 10 megapixel images withstood enlargement well. Color fidelity is also excellent though a bit on the muted side: easy enough to quickly correct in any image editing program.
The new optical image stabilization (OIS) algorithm which compensates for both hand shaking and subject movement is absolutely brilliant and works incredibly well.
The ability to shoot at ISO values up to 1,600 goes hand in hand with the new OIS abilities. No one could resist testing a handheld digital camera in a dim environment at ISO 1600. Needless to say, the images are noisy. But at ISO 1600, what would you expect? Handheld photos shot at 1/20th of a second at ISO 1600 in a dim restaurant were filled with both detail and noise. Remarkably the color balance was very well-handled: the incadescent restaurant lights were recorded faithfully along with the neon and halogen lamplight streaming in through the blinds from outside. Very, very impressive.
Much of the noise could be ameliorated in Photoshop or similar programs with appropriate plug-ins. The high-speed capability is well worth the trade for noisy images. Purists may want noiseless images at ISO 1600, but it's unlikely they will ever get it. Practical photographers, on the other hand, will definitely appreciate the capability and undoubtedly will exploit it.
Ergonomically, the FZ-50 is practically a work of art. All of the frequently used controls are accessible with the right hand. The enlarged hand grip is just perfect for my large hands and the shutter release is perfectly positioned, something I am not able to say about most of the digital cameras I've used. The electronic viewfinder is sharp and is boosted for low-light focusing. (There is also an AF-assist lamp.) The flip-out LCD may be positioned for high and low angle shooting or reversed for self-portraits.
At about 1-1/2 pounds, the FZ-50 is a joy to carry for long periods.
The menu system is very accessible and quick and easy to adjust.
The few scene modes I tried worked well. Shooting pictures from a car moving at 60 miles per hour worked surprisingly well in the sports action mode.
Shutter lag is remarkably slight: the Panasonic Venus III engine lives up to its billing. Response is not up to the level of a Nikon or Canon DSLR, but it is certainly faster than any other midlevel digital camera I've used. Burst rate of about one frame per second are routinely attainable.
The FZ-50 will do RAW, but it is on the slow side. Either use an extremely fast SD card or avoid RAW where you need to be prepared for one exposure after another. JPEG files at full resolution (3,648 x 2,736 pixels) are quite good and will withstand, in my opinion, enlargement of about 4 - 5x.
I think SD card compatibility may be an issue with 4GB cards. I tried one and the camera refused to boot. A variety of 2GB cards worked without a problem.
The battery is rated for 360 shots between images. The test used by manufacturers uses one shot every 30 seconds, I believe. My experience with the battery didn't allow for more than 300 shots before the warning indicator started flashing. I don't know how many more shots I could have gotten, but I would definitely advise having a second battery for this camera.
I did not try the movie mode, so I can't comment on that.
Overall, the FZ-50 is more than satisfactory in every way. It is not a replacement for a Canon or Nikon DSLR, but is in many ways more satisfying to use. It is lighter than either a Canon or a Nikon; its 12x Leica approved designed lens covers 35 - to 425mm. Image quality is superb and the OIS is fantastic. I would highly recommend the FZ-50 as a travel camera or just for everyday use.
Jerry


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LumixDigital Camera with 10 Effective Megapixel Still Picture Recording and 12x Zoom Black

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Nikon Coolpix P2 5.1MP Digital Camera with 3.5x Optical Zoom (Wi-Fi Capable) Review

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(More customer reviews)I read all these reviews and cannot FOR THE LIFE OF ME understand all the crying and whining about the WiFi mode. I keep hearing how "complicated" and "annoying" it is, but this is just plain WRONG. I actually set my WiFi up yesterday, and do you want to know how long it took me? About a minute. Pop in the setup CD, click "wireless setup only", plug your camera in by the USB cable (you need only do this the first time to set up! The setup CD will give you all the directions, just follow along), install it (takes all of a few seconds), choose your connection mode, name, and icon, and you're DONE. Then unplug the USB cable (you now no longer need it!), rotate the click-wheel at the top of the camera to wifi-mode, click "ok" and VOILA (you'll see the WiFi antenna flash blue). Easy as that, and it will download all of the images in your camera at a fast speed without any wires needed. How in God's name are people making this out to be a big deal?
Read your manual and you'll be fine. I did my homework for literally months and ended up choosing this model. I know cameras and this is easily the best deal for the money. Do get familiar with the scene modes, they're absolutely phenomenal and there is something for every shot and angle. Each scene mode has a choice of 3 different effects, which is really nice. The variety of shots you will be able to take is second to none. 5 MP is a perfect compromise for image quality, resolution, and price. Nikon as always is top-rate. Photography is something that seems to run in the family and when my grandfather approved this camera, I knew it was truly great.
The screen on this thing is AMAZING. 2.5 inches! The loss of the viewfinder is something you won't even notice, the LCD is a far more accurate tool anyway. Erasing pictures is simple, operating the zoom is a piece of cake, and the Zoom Nikkor lense is one of the best on the market, (along with the SchneiderKreuznach lenses on the Kodaks and the Carl Zeiss lenses on the Sonys). Nothing against Canon's Elph line because they're amazing, but the lense on the Nikon is better and I honestly feel that the Canon models are overpriced. Ever picked up an SD400 or 450? They feel far too tiny and almost flimsy. The SD500 and 550 are a bit better, but there's virtually NOTHING to grip. Trust me, when you want to really focus on a subject and get the perfect shot, the LAST thing you want is not to have a firm enough grip on your camera and have it slip. This also increases the likelihood of dropping it, which is never a good thing! Some complain that the red-eye reducer takes too long. The flash will go off three times in red-eye-eliminator mode, so if you're taking a picture of your dog, turn it OFF, (because the subject will have moved by then). For people though, it will be fine. The P2 comes with great software and it will take all of 5 seconds to remove red-eye manually once uploaded if the time before the final flash goes off bothers you too much. I've heard whining about the P2's size...why? Pick one up if you can look at one in person. They're wondefully compact yet still have a heft to them, and a very substantial hand grip that doubles as the battery casing. It's all metal and beautifully designed, the worksmanship speaks for itself. Nikon is a great choice, and I also recommend Olympus and Kodak (Kodaks are the king of easy-to-use cameras).
Even full price for this camera is worth it (400 dollars), though you'll see it advertised from between 250-350, which are very fair prices. You're going to love it, it's a very capable little machine that will take you gorgeous pictures. Nothing is off-limits and there is a scene mode for any situation. I have NO regrets. The rechargable battery is good to have and will save you money. I HIGHLYYYY recommend you purchase LCD screen covers to protect your very-large LCD screen. These can be bought on Ebay in packs of 3 for about 10 dollars with shipping.

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As one of the smaller digital cameras on the market, the Coolpix P2 combines a high-quality optical zoom lens with a range of automatic and preset shooting modes that will satisfy the most discerning of point-and-shoot photographers. With an 5.1-megapixel CCD, and a high quality 3.5x optical zoom Nikkor 3x ED glass lens, plus a 4x digital zoom for a total zoom of 14x, the Coolpix P1 can produce stunning prints up to 16 x 20-inch prints simply and easily. The Coolpix P2 also features built-in WiFi connectivity, which means that you can communicate wirelessly to either your computer or, through the use of an optional Wireless PD-10 Printer Adapter (sold separately), directly to your printer. This unique WiFi image transfer ability not only make it more convenient to off-load your images, it also permits a unique "live slide show" capability that is great for parties, weddings, and any other special occasion. Weighing a mere 6.4 ounces with the battery and memory card loaded, the Coolpix P2 is truly a "take anywhere" camera. With over 16 automatic and preset shooting modes, you'll always be sure to get the precise shot you're looking for. Best of all, "advanced scene modes" are available for 11 of the 16 presets and allow the user to customize the final image by providing a 3-level selection for enhanced creativity and control. Not to be outdone, the Coolpix P2 can also record high-quality movies at a rate of up to 30 frames per second. There are a total of seven movie modes to choose from, including six with the capability to record sound as well as a time-lapse mode that enables the user to capture events occurring over an extended period of time. The camera also features a built-in flash with six modes, and a built-in mic and speaker for including sound in videos and playback from the camera. A large, incredibly bright, 2.5-inch color LCD display and user-friendly interface means that you don't have to take the extra effort to get up to speed with the camera's functionality. Just power it up, and you'll be ready to go in no time. Other advanced features include Nikon's Exclusive Feature System, which helps turns "pictures" into "photographs." An In-Camera Red-Eye Fix takes "red-eye reduction" a step further by remove red-eye directly in the camera. Face Priority AF automatically focuses on faces for great portraits, and the D-Lighting feature offers in-camera repair of dark images. The included rechargeable battery gives you up to 180 images on a single charge. In short, the Coolpix P2 is perfect for novice users or anyone looking for a point-and-shoot camera that produces sharp, colorful photos with great ease of use. For advanced shooters, the P2 can server as a great "take-anywhere" snapshot camera. What's in the Box Nikon Coolpix P2, rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL8, battery charger MH-62, USB cable, audio-video cable, strap, and PictureProject CD-ROM.

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