Fujifilm FinePix S2950 14.0 MP Digital Camera - Black

I began using this camera out of the box, on its auto settings indoors; it takes some very impressive photos. I was happy to see that my min pin didnt suffer the usual "I am a vicious red eyed dog" look. To compare the usefulness of the flash, I took photos in absolute darkness and then used the flash. It was great to see that the flash really did its thing without the great wash out effect. The flash worked just as well in regular settings that required it.

I used the other features for the photos I am going to describe in this paragraph. I work in the buildings behind the World Trade Center so taking pictures of the progress from our office is priceless. On this camera, the pictures are the kind that everyone who visits wishes they could take from this view. I had no light "bounce back" from the several floors of newly installed windows on the Freedom Tower (still under construction). The zoom feature is so amazing that I was able to zoom in on a worker cleaning out one of the reflecting pools. It was not a blurry "it could be anything" picture, you can clearly see him, the color of his skin, shirt, jeans and the hose he was using. I also have views of the Statue of Liberty, the surrounding islands and New Jersey. I used the zoom on these photos, again, amazing clear detailed photographs.

I'm still an amateur when it comes to using this camera but honestly you don't need major brains to figure this guy out. There are several settings for babies, snow, beach, flowers, night etc. Every one of the pictures I took with each of these settings came out VERY nice and clear with no doubt of what you just photo'd. You can take videos and also use the view finder. The camera is able to use any size SD card (I have 16Gs in mine) and standard AA batteries (this one needs four). My advice is get two sets of good rechargeable batteries. It is less expensive in the long run and you will always be ready to capture anything you find interesting.

An instruction manual is included for those who may have trouble figuring out certain settings or icons. There are manual settings which are good for those "professionals" who are tired of dragging around their heavy telescopes (I see your types when you come to visit us in NYC) around their necks but still want to get that quality shot.

In my opinion, this is a serious step up for anyone who still owns a pocket camera because of the quality of the zoom, panorama, pixels and other features that pocket cameras lack.

I am primarily a point-and-shoot photographer, and this camera has filled all of my needs. The size and shape is perfect for one-handed point and shoot, with all of the controls placed within a fingers reach. The digital viewer is the real plus in bright daylight, as no display screen, even as large and bright as this, can overcome the desert glare. The AA batteries make it easy to replace anywhere, and provide a little more heft in your hand, a plus for me. Picture quality has been excellent, and I appreciate the 18x optical zoom. Shutter lag is a little slow for the action photog, but a minimal inconvenience for the tourist. All in all, I rate this camera a particularly good buy.

To be fair I didn't have this camera long enough to fully evaluate it, but I ended up with the same brand but slightly better model.

Not completely happy with having to use 4 AA batteries even if you can and do use rechargeable batteries it can be a pain and I generally find that this never equals the performance of a rechargeable battery pack specifically designed for the camera. Especially since you can carry 1-2 fully charged spare battery packs much easier and I find they have longer life.

Have not found out exact reason but I have found that it does not sync as well with my laptops or transfer photos as well as other cameras I've owned, along with other little quirks that are a bit inconvenient.

Overall both fujifilms I have owned are good cameras and will do any job the average person needs but if you make a living with your camera or expect heavy usage I might go a different way.

I had purchased another digital camera and it was stold so when I found this on line for the sale price, I had to buy it. It was about the same price with double the features of the previous one. The only fault I have found is that that the lens cover does not fit. It constantly falls off so without a camera case it could get damaged. It has so many features to it that I still have not tried them all. I would recommend this to be used professionally. The quality of the prints and the options you have with them (various sizes, colors, settings, etc.) is wonderful. I am one of those people who learn better by someone showing me, so having to look up instructions frequently is agrivating. I did not get a manual with it so I went online to copy it only to find it is 141 pages. This makes it burdensome. You should also buy rechargeable batteries or it could get expensive. I purchased the recommended batteries at first and with the length of operating time it did not seem to last very long.

I LOVE taking photographs, and have taken several photography classes. This camera is GREAT if you don't want to take full advantage of the 18x zoom.

Issues:
When you zoom it makes the entire picture blurry (no matter what setting you put it on the picture ends up blurry)

Pros:
(when not zoomed in) can take AMAZING photos! LOVE love LOVE all the features! You can take panorama photgraphs, black & white, micro & super micro, has a video recorder WITH SOUND! You can either use the screen to aline the photo OR use the traditional eye whole to aline your photo. MANY options on this camera!

Overall: Works great if you don't zoom, just wish the zoom didn't destroy the quality of the photo as much as it does.