Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd

I did a lot of research before purchasing this camera. My major requirements were high quality photos and a zoom lens. I finally decided on this particular camera because it looked like I was getting a lot for my money, and I believe I have. I took it on a trip within a week of receiving it and took excellent scenic photos, both close-up and with the powerful zoom, with almost no learning curve. I was pleasantly surprised that even with all of its power, the camera is not heavy and bulky, and its design makes it easy to hold. I also love the size of the screen and that I have the option of using the viewfinder or the large screen. I highly recommend this camera.

I was hesitant to buy the Fujifilm S8000fd because there were a few reviewers who found problems with the pictures it produced. I considered other cameras in the same genera and discovered there were a few reviewers who were not all that happy with those either. It was clear to me that pictures shot with the Fujifilm S8000fd were at least equal to those made by its competitors and it had a lot more features and capacity.

I think the people who fault the quality of photos taken with the Fujifilm S8000fd are either unable to read the instruction manual or are so "picky" about their pictures as to be neurotic. I have had my Fuji S8000fd for about a month and find the pictures I am taking are just great. I am not a professional photographer, but I have been an advanced-skills hobbyist for decades.

This is my forth Fuji digital camera and it is the best of the bunch. I researched my head off prior to buying the S8000fd and concluded that it was the best in its class and price range. There are really only three cameras currently occupying this "hybrid-SLR" group--the Fujifilm S8000 of course, the Olympus SP-560 UZ and the Panasonic FZ18. For my money--the Fujifilm S8000fd wins.

By the way, the price on this camera on Amazon.com is almost fifty dollars cheaper than it was when I bought mine only a few weeks ago.

This is my first Fuji Camrea. I owned a Canon G2 for 5 years.

My Initial test on the camera was disppointing as I was shooting most pics in Low light condition in Auto Mode, P mode with very low ISO setting 100. I decided to return this camera.

Before returning I wanted to give it one more try with all combination of ISO and SP modes. I took lot of pics with differnt ISO setting in P mode and all Kinds of SP modes. In P mode I have got very good pics both in Low and Day light conditions.

Here is my recommended settings on P mode. In Bright Day lights Set ISO to 64. In low light conditions set ISO to 400 or 800 depending on the brightness of light. Set the Sharpness to HARD for Lowlight if you are lover of sharp pics. Also take pics by boosting the Exposure little bit if needed. Lowlight pics taken with these settings produced very less noise, vewing 100% on computer screen was not that bad at all. The Print qualtity will be still good if we stick to 6x4/5x7/8x11 size.

Get closer (4-6 Feet) to the object in Low light conditions even if you decide to use flash.

The AUTO and SP modes are not useful. The Pics taken with these modes shows lot of noise when viewing the Pic 100% on the computer.

Stick to P mode always in Day or Lowlight.

The Macro mode is very good, Excellent job done by the camera. I have shoot pics on morning dew set on the window in macro mode, I was stunned by the quality of the pics.

The Image Stabilizer worked very good.

The Face Detection works very well.

The N and N plus Flash is a very good feature on this camera.

WORTH THE MONEY. I cannot expect anything more on a NON SLR Camera.

This camera qualifies for 5 Star rating. I have given 4 Stars because the qualtiy of buttons feels very cheap plastic and the Battery door is very Flimsy. People with bigger fingers may find it diffcult to feel the buttons. The buttons on Panasonic FZ8 is very good.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED......

If Fuji used their Super CCD in this camera, it would be the best in the market.

I have had the camera for 4 days, it meets my basic needs in a digital camera.

The Good:
18x Zoom, SLR like features, 8MP, regular batteries (why? this is good for travel where you are not sure if you will be able to charge the unit, just throw in or bring more batteries and you are good to go).

If you have a limited budget this camera fits between a good subcompact with some feature of a dSLR and has an all in one lens (you cannot change lenses). Overall easy to use.

The Bad:
Picture quality is ok, not great. Some functions are slow in operation.

Buy it if you want a camera that does is all, but look at the Canon S5 IS first....also uses regular batteries.

But, if you have the cash, buy a real dSLR from Canon or Nikon and then maybe spring for a good subcompact for times when you dont need to drag a full size camera around.

My suggestion is a Nikon d40x or D80 if you want to learn how to take real pics....and then a Canon Powershot subcompact.

For $327, I cant complain about the Fujifilm S8000fd, but I expected just a little better picture quality.....the Fujifilm S700 would perhaps come very close to this camera in overall functionality and the S700 is under $200 now.

I have had the exact same experience as J.Maxwell's commnets above. Bought this camera to replace a 4 year old HP with 8X zoom and 4MP. I like to take wildlife and bird photos. The new Fuji does an excellent job on scenery, but can not take as sharp of pictures as my old HP of birds. I actually used them side by side and there is a difference in sharpness. Fuji suggests that I can't use the zoom without a tripod, since I am moving more than the "advanced" image stabilization can handle. Yet my old HP will work decent within the 40 digital zoom range beyond the optical zoom when hand held. I actually had the oportunity of a lifetime last week to take several pictures of a Bald Eagle eating a road kill deer. The bird let me get to within 18 feet and I took many photos with this new Fuji. The photos came out OK, but not as clear as a photo of an Eagle from 18 feet should be. It was suggested that background was bad and the camera had trouble with focus. My comment was that it was a 2 foot tall large black and white object against a light brown background of the deer and soil. Something easily focused on that my old HP would have made beautiful and produced several perfect shots. The camera does do a super job on macrofocus mode (super close up).