Fujifilm FinePix S1800 12.2 MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-Inch LCD Description:
Fujifilm FinePix S1800 - 12MP, Fujinon 18x Wide Optical Zoom (28 - 504mm), 3.0″ LCD + Viewfinder. Other features include: Face Detection w/ Red Eye Removal, Face Recognition, Tracking Auto Focus, Dual Image Stabilization, High Sensitivity 6400 ISO, 6 Scene - SR Auto Automatic Scene Recognition, Panorama Mode, HD Movie 720p w/ Sound, Instant Zoom/Zoom Bracketing, Smile/Blink Detection Mode, 4-AA Batteries.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #95 in Camera & Photo
- Color: Black
- Brand: Fuji
- Model: S1800
- Dimensions: 3.90″ h x 5.50″ w x 6.70″ l, 2.00 pounds
- Display size: 3
Features
- 12.2-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CCD for photo-quality poster-sized prints
- Fujinon 18x wide-angle optical zoom lens (28mm wide-angle to 504mm telephoto); Dual Image Stabilization
- Capture movies in HD quality 720p resolution
- 3.0-inch high-contrast LCD and Electronic View Finder
- Track a moving subject automatically for still picture capture
Customer Reviews:
A lot of camera for your money.
If you are one of those digital camera users who want some of the high end features of an SLR without the big price tag this might be right for you. It is so new hardly anyone knows it is slowly coming out on the market. Got mine at a special launch on HSN. Though there have been mixed reviews as to how good it is I don’t have any complaints. Like zoom capability? The Fuji S-18 has as much as anyone practically needs. My only knock is you have use a tripod when using full zoom power unless you have a steady hand. The super Macro feature is great too if you like getting things really close up. Amazing resolution overall. The 3 inch LCD is nice but like all LCDs is hampered in bright light conditions, super sunny days. Thats where the good old Standard View finder comes in handy. It is better than most and works great in all conditions, even if you have wear glasses like me. Indoors or on less sunny days the LCD is just fine. There are a lot of really great features that are easy to use and figure out even if you don’t ever read the operation manual you can upload on to your computer. Good all around product if you are looking for an upgrade or even a first time buyer. At the price point it sells for you get a lot of camera for a very good price. Though it uses AA batteries, alchaline or rechargables, and they seem to last a long time. Got a great little battery from Amazon that brings your batteries back to life in almost no time at home or on the road. You don’t have to worry about fidling around with your camera settings and killing your batteries befor you take a picture….like me. Check it out. Nice camera based on Fugi’s S-15 with a couple of extras thrown in. Recommended!
DSLR features, point and shoot price
The Fuji S1800 is a a nice tweener, filling the gap between pocket point-and-shoot cameras and a DSLR. It’s larger than typical point and shoot cameras (thanks to the 18X zoom lens) yet smaller than a DSLR. Despite the extra bulk, the S1800 is light and compact enough to carry around for extended periods. The plastic body is sturdy and light. The camera is powered by four AA batteries (alkaline or rechargeable). All of the controls are very well placed and settings are easy to locate. The top dial allows for quick switching between automatic, manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, or programmed scene shooting modes. There is a button on the back for switching between the LCD or the electronic viewfinder. The flash performs well and has a slow sync feature. There is no input for an external flash (or any other accessories other than a tripod). Shooting with the S1800 is a joy. Although it’s best to learn how to make the most of this camera’s capabilities, even full-auto mode can produce excellent results. The 18X zoom lens has great range and good quality from wide angle to telephoto. In one particular shot, I photographed a medicine bottle approximately 15 feet away in dim lighting. I had no problem reading the smallest print on the bottle in the image. Auto mode isn’t perfect (just like every other camera out there) and there were some occasional focusing and exposure issues, but overall, I took more good pictures than bad, even in challenging lighting. Some of the features, like blink and smile detection, seem to be more of a gimmick than actually useful. Blink detection seems to randomly pop up at will, even if there are no people in the picture. Blink and smile detection aside, the S1800 does have several features that are really useful, such as a burst mode (several rapid photos taken in succession), facial recognition, zoom bracketing (several pictures taken at varying focal lengths), and more. The S1800 is so user-friendly, these features are useful for beginners and experienced alike. The S1800 lacks a raw mode. In-camera compression is usually spot-on, but I had a few shots where it went all in, resulting in soft shots. Overall image quality was very good, with the S1800 holding its own against several of my more expensive cameras. Although my Canon XSi is still the champ of my household, the Fuji compared well to my Canon G10. I tried several different SD and SDHC cards in the Fuji. It recognized every card except one, an ancient 8MB generic SD card that came bundled with a camera I purchased nearly a decade ago. It did recognize a newer generic 32MB SD card that also came bundled with a camera.
Video mode is okay but nothing great. Videos are stored in AVI format. HD mode is pretty good compared to the standard resolution but doesn’t come close to the performance of a Flip or dedicated HD video camera. You can zoom during filming, but the zoom motor creates a noticable buzzing noise in the video. It’s not even the same sound heard when actively zooming the camera. About the best way I can describe it is similar to the sound made by a hand buzzer.
The large LCD display is decent when shooting in good light and during media playback but it’s a little noisy when shooting in reduced lighting.
The Fuji offers DSLR image quality and features for the price of a higher-end point and shoot. It has a few minor flaws, but considering everything Fuji packed into this camera for the price, you can’t go wrong. It’s a perfect step-up if you’re eager to explore the realm beyond basic point-and-shoot but not quite ready to take the plunge into DSLR territory.
S1800 Boom or bust
I purchased the 1800 after seeing a HSN demo on the camera. First, I must be honest by stating I am a retired journalist who shot her own photos, and a long time Nikon owner and more recently a digital Canon SLR owner. I still shoot and sell my work, mostly scenery and automotive photos.
The camera interested me because I was looking for a great camera, small enough to fit in my handbag. What the S1800 offered was a pretty good camera, not real great, but really nice. My beef is there is no RAW capabilities, but I guess that was to be expected at that price. Unlike above reviews, I think it is a battery hog and unlike my Canon, I can’t plug the battery into the wall socket overnight. I purchased this camera because HSN really pushed the video. Eh, not so great. If you want great videos break down and buy a dedicated video camera. The video capability is good though if you chance upon a rare opportunity to shoot something. A lot of shake with the video. Finally, the lens cap wants to fall off all the time giving way to a possible lens damage while toting it in my handbag.
Now the plus side. It shoots a great image, especially in the wide lens mode. Great panorama when you need it. The camera is way above the little boxy point and shoots for stabilization because of the hand grip style. The telephoto is as good as you are going to get in a non SLR. I compared it side by side with my Canon’s lens and it gives the lens a run for its money, but I also must agree a tripod is almost a must for the long shots. After you learn all the whistles and buttons you will have a pretty nice camera for the price. Half of the features could be eliminated like blink and smile, but it is likely a consumer driven factor.
All in all I gave it four stars. For my professional work, I will of course stay with my trusty Nikon film and Canon digital SLR, but for a fun camera with compact features–go for it.I have recommended it to all my point and shoot friends as a step up camera
From the Manufacturer
Sporting a 12-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch CCD, a powerful Fujinon 18x wide-angle optical zoom (28mm-504mm equivalent) and an extra large 3.0-inch high-contrast LCD and electronic viewfinder, the FinePix S1800 is perfect for advanced amateur photographers who want an affordable, step-up digital camera that will still fit in the palm of their hand.
Finepix S1800 Highlights
HD Movie Capture
Capture movies in HD quality 720p HD.
18x Fujinon Optical Zoom Lens
The FinePix S1800 features a Fujinon 18x wide-angle optical zoom lens that produces crisp high resolution results throughout the focal range, from 28mm wide-angle to an astounding 504mm telephoto. It also features Instant Zoom, which enables you to keep their subject in a shot at long distance by offering a wide viewing area around the frame and then immediately cropping to the subject once the photo is taken.
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| 18x optical zoom in action. |
Smile and Blink Detection
In addition to Fujifilm’s signature Face Detection, Fujifilm has added two fun and valuable features: Smile Detection recognizes the precise moment your subject smiles and releases the shutter only when this happens; and Blink Detection warns you if any of your subjects have blinked so that you can re-take the photo if necessary.
Tracking Auto Focus
The FinePix S1800 also has Tracking Auto Focus, which allows users to track a moving subject automatically for still picture capture.
Auto Picture Rotation
The FinePix S1800 has the useful Auto Picture Rotation that ensures your photos are always viewed the right way in playback. Whether you have taken a landscape or portrait image, you can enjoy your pictures whichever way you are holding the camera, as the image will automatically rotate in the screen for easy viewing.
Image Retrieval
Fujifilm has created a new Picture Search tool which allows you to find photos quickly and easily. You can search with both digital cameras by whichever Scene Mode the photo was taken. For instance if you select ‘Portrait,’ you can view all photos shot in Portrait mode, or ‘Macro’ to see all close up shots, etc. It’s a time saving feature which means that you will no longer have to waste time searching through all your photos to find the ones you are looking for.
Additional Features
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- 3.0-inch high-contrast LCD and Electronic View Finder: The FinePix S1800 is fitted with a high-contrast 230K-pixel 3.0-inch LCD and Electronic View Finder. The high-contrast LCD is a considerable benefit in bright light and means that the camera can be pitched at various shooting angles to enable framing of awkward shots, while the Electronic View Finder provides even more flexibility for the user.
- Dual Image Stabilization: Long-zoom cameras need stabilization more than any other compact, with handshake and subject movement a particular problem in low light at telephoto range. The FinePix S1800 reduces blur to a minimum with a mechanically stabilized CCD sensor and high ISO sensitivity (to ISO 6400), so that blur is reduced to an absolute minimum.
- Face Detection and Automatic Red-eye Removal: To provide perfectly exposed and focused portrait shots, the FinePix S1800 is fitted with Fujifilm’s latest Face Detection technology which is able to track up to 10 faces simultaneously, at almost any angle to the camera. The system instantly corrects red-eye and then saves both the original and the corrected image file automatically.
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| Dual Image Stabilization |
Sidney Bray