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Fujifilm FinePix S7000 6.3 MP Digital Camera w/ 6x Optical Zoom | List Price: $799.99
Discount Price: $999.00
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Brand: Fuji
Binding: Electronics
Release Date: 2003-10-31
Warranty: 1 Year Limited
Features: - 6.3-Megapixel SuperCCD HR sensor produces images with 12.3 million pixels (4048 x 3040)
- 6x optical plus 3.2x digital zoom (19x total)
- 1.8-inch LCD, electronic viewfinder, super macro mode for shots as close as 1cm, 5-frame burst mode
- Includes 16 MB XD Picture Card; also compatible with CompactFlash Type II cards and MicroDrives
- Powered by 4 AA batteries (alkalines included, rechargeables recommended); connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1
A classic already! [Posted on 2007-05-06]
The fact that this Fuji Finepix S7000 came out nearly four years ago and is still so highly regarded give one an idea of its good qualities. It is ergonomic - the fingers and thumb find the zoom, AE lock, flash, exposure compensation, viewfinder/LCD toggle without much struggle. The viewfinder is excellent - detailed and has as much info as you could want.
It eats up standard AA batteries, so get some NiCads, NiMetalhydride, or some other type of rechargeable.But they are a good point - available everywhere. I have read that the early models produced have had the problem of the CF card running down the four AA batteries when the CF card is left in the camera between shoots. So, it is a good practice to remove the CF card after using it (it is menu selected as to using the CF or the Fuji xD card). Otherwise you will pick up the camera one day with the CF card in it and find the batteries drained.
Later production may not have this problem. The camera was designed to use the IBM mini disk card, not the standard CF card. But it does, with reservations. For example, I could not get video do upload to Picassa from the CF card. Photos uploaded OK.
I have been astounded at the quality of the images shot at the highest resolution, written to the CF or xD card as 12 megapixel images. The lens, even racked out to maximum telephoto is tack sharp and contrasty. I've used many cameras in my life and this is a favorite. For the amount of money you can get one of these new or used, you can't go wrong. It is a winner.
It also does 30 fps VGA video with the highest quality I've seen so far. Also, although it doesn't seem to have an image stabilization system, I have been amazed how little the images deteriorate due to low shutter speeds or normal camera shake. Maybe it uses a 'stealth' stabilization! Anyhow, I love it and have rediscovered the joy of photography through finding how much I could do with this beauty.
Recommended.
Reliable and a great value [Posted on 2007-06-09]
I've now taken this camera through four years of hard use and it has been terrific. It's been dragged through dusty back roads of Mexico and to snow covered New England mountain tops. Take the time to learn how to take advantage of the control it offers. It provides the power and flexibility of an SLR digital and the convienence of a point and shoot. The zoom and lens optics are impressive. I can highly recommend the S7000 for someone wanting a more serious digital at a great value.
another one on the well-deserved bandwagon [Posted on 2007-06-22]
The Fuji S7000 doesn't disappoint! I have used this camera for about 3-4 years and am still using it. If there is one camera you need to take with you in a hurry for any photography situation, this could be the one. The 6x optical zoom is more than competent for about 95 percent of most pictures, and if you need more then you can bump up the added 3.2x digital zoom (total 19x zoom). With this camera you can put in two memory cards at the same time (CF and xd), but of course it will read/write to only one at a time that you choose. But this gives you automatic backup, just switch to the other card if your primary card is full! Also, it shoots 30 fps video, so it's a good idea to get as big and as fast a memory card that you can. In the macro mode it can get as close as ½-inch, and I have taken many awesome close-ups! The built-in flash also has a rated range of nearly 28 feet at wide angle and 26 feet at telephoto! And it has a hot shoe so you can add a more powerful flash if you wish, if you needed it. I did have a disappointment with it in that because the lens is an external zoom (the lens zooms outward), it is not possible to attach a lens filter to the front of the lens. (When the lens is retracted, it is possible to attach a 55 mm filter, but then the camera won't operate because the lens can't pop out when the camera is turned on.) I believe Fuji sells an accessory tube that can be attached which is longer than the extended lens to allow the use of filters. (I was brought up on film SLRs, where every lens had a UV or haze filter to protect the lens.) Another quirk, which is a "good thing," is that this camera will shut itself down when battery power is low. It happened to me, but all I had to do was restart the camera, and it will continue to take pictures (and then shut down again). I know I am writing this review late, since the camera is already officially discontinued, but I happened to browse this site, and was impressed that the camera has such high rankings and such a loyal user base.
WHAT CUSTOMER SERVICE?????? [Posted on 2008-03-18]
Iowned my s7000 for about 3 1/2 yrs. Usage was lite 3-400 pics a yr. Camera was well taken care of never dropped or abused. All of a sudden for no reason it would not download to the 'puter. Sent it to Fuji, they said a board burned out, WANTED $170 to replace it, WOULD ONLY GUARANTEE FIX FOR 3 MONTHS......I amm buyin a Canon Rebel, and Fuji can eat their LACK OF CUSTOMER CARE>>>>>>>
Near Perfection [Posted on 2008-08-02]
I've been using my FinePix S7000 for about three years now. Overall, I've been extremely please with all aspects of the camera *except* for the following:
1. The electronic zoom control is inoperative in the movie mode.
2. *My* camera requires a re-boot when I switch from a CF card to an XD card. No rebooting is required when I go the other way (XD to CF). Fuji claims this is a problem that could be corrected with a new mother board, however, my camera is out of warantee and I'm not going to pay $175 to fix such a minor problem.
I have taken literally thousands of pictures and I have to say that this camera has consistantly produced outstanding results.
All considered, looking back to when I bought the camera, I made a good decision and would probably do it again.
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