Expert Recommendation
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Overview
In the budget ultracompact category, there aren’t many cameras that can cover all the bases for portrait photography, especially for fast-moving kids and pets. While the J50 isn’t a stellar performer compared to pricier cameras, it packs the bare basics needed for portraits, including a moderate 5x zoom range and usable high ISO performance for low-light photos.
My Best In Class Pick
Fujifilm FinePix J50
The Fujifilm J50 is an entry-level ultracompact camera (0.9” thick) that packs a big (for its size) 5x zoom lens. Covering the 37-185mm range, the J50 falls just short of the typical 50-200mm range but covers it better than most cameras in this class.
Shutter lag on the J50 is a little slow, making it difficult to react quickly or time your photos precisely. The J50’s high-ISO performance is also slightly below average - while you’ll still be able to freeze motion in low-light situations, the images will tend to be noisy and blotchy.
Comparison with Nikon Coolpix S550
The Fuji J50 is a very similar camera to the Nikon S550 - both sport 5x zoom lenses that cover much of the traditional portrait range, but also deliver underwhelming shutter lag and high-ISO performances. The J50 is a slightly better camera, on account of producing slightly less noisy high-ISO images, and being a bit cheaper than the S550.
Comparison with Olympus Stylus 840
The J50 offers similar specs to the Olympus 840, covering about the same footprint and offering the same zoom range. In terms of performance, however, the J50, though not great itself, is a much more solid performer, especially in low-light situations, where the J50 turns up poor, but still usable photos.
Pros
- +Inexpensive
- +Covers most of the 50-200mm portrait range
Cons
- -Slow shutter lag
- -Slightly below average high ISO
Where to buy
Fujifilm FinePix J50
- Amazon.com : $117.99
- Electronics Expo : $106.61 (Best Price)
- Compare Prices : $106 - $233
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
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| Price | $106 - $233 | $155 - $267 | $162 - $289 | |
| Size (W x H x D) | 3.8 x 2.2 x 0.9 in | 3.6 x 2.1 x 0.9 in | 3.8 x 2.2 x 0.9 in | |
| Weight (without batteries) | 4.9 oz | 4.2 oz | 4.6 oz | |
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Min Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. On any 35 mm film camera, a 30 mm or less lens is considered a wide-angle lens.
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37 mm | 36 mm | 36 mm | |
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Max Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. Larger max focal lengths make distant objects appear more magnified.
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185 mm | 180 mm | 180 mm | |
| Optical Zoom | 5.0x | 5.0x | 5.0x | |
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Image Stabilization Available
Image stabilization features are designed to reduce the blur that results from normal, minute shaking of a lens due to hand-held shooting. However, image stabilization does not prevent motion blur caused by the movement of the subject or by extreme movements of the camera.
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No | No | Yes | |
| Battery Life | 150 shots | 200 shots | 190 shots | |
| Important Portrait Features | ||||
| Shutter lag | Poor | Poor | Poor | |
| High ISO quality | Poor | Poor | Unusable | |
| People/Pet Portrait Rating | Average | Average | Poor | |
Nikon Coolpix S550
The Nikon S550 is a small budget camera - at 4.2 oz and 3.6 inches long, it’s smaller than the average ultracompact. Despite its compactness, the S550 manages to pack in a 36-180mm 5x zoom lens, covering most of the typical 50-200mm portrait range.
Performance-wise, the S550 falls short in the most important categories for children and pet photos. Shutter lag is below average, making it difficult to take photos that require precise timing or immediate reaction. The S550’s high-ISO ability is also below average, producing fairly noisy images in low-light situations when you’re trying to freeze your kids’ and pets’ motion.
Comparison with Olympus Stylus 840
The S550 and Olympus 840 are similar cameras, but the S550 is a better performer in low-light situations, where the 840’s output is practically unusable.
Pros
- +Slightly smaller than the average ultracompact
- +Covers most of the 50-200mm portrait range
Cons
- -Slow shutter lag
- -Noisy high-ISO
Where to buy
Nikon Coolpix S550
- Amazon.com : $169.00
- buyitnow1615 : $155.52 (Best Price)
- Compare Prices : $155 - $267
Olympus Stylus 840
The Olympus 840 is a small, semi-rugged ultracompact (0.9” thick). It offers a 5x zoom range that covers most of the usual 50-200mm portrait range. Performance-wise, the Olympus 840 is a poor performer, with a slow shutter lag and terrible high-ISO quality, making it unusable for pictures in low-light, where quick-moving children and pets will leave your photos with nothing but blur.
Pros
- +Covers most of the 50-200mm portrait range
Cons
- -Slow shutter lag
- -Unusable high-ISO
Where to buy
Olympus Stylus 840
- Amazon.com : $186.13
- GOLDENIT : $162.00 (Best Price)
- Compare Prices : $162 - $289
How It Works
Unbiased experts recommend the best digital camera for you based on the types of photographs you intend to take, your budget, and desired features.
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How to Pick Digital Cameras
- For Travel Photos
- For Photos of Children or Pets
- For Action or Sports Photos
- For Photos in Low Light
