Fujifilm FinePix 4800 Zoom

Opinion: My 4800z is almost a week old, words cannot explain how nice it is. it's very user friendly. I was real nervous about opertaing it when it was deminstrated to me. But with in 30 minutes or so and a quick look at the book it became very easy. I'm still learning all the features. With the 4800z there is no need for a camera and a camcord. It's all in one. Excellent in not a high enough rating for this camera.

Opinion: I hate reading equipment manuals but this one is v well laid out. You need to read it properly to get the best out of the camera. I have had digitals before but this one really is superb esp if you shop around for a good price. Pics are excellent but using manual controls make this camera special. I set mine up as : Manual with high speed and set for indoor lighting, SP I set for black & White. So just by using the mode switch I have 3 preset options inc Auto. Excellent facilities and superb results. Cradle works v well.
Great looker is a bonus.
I love it. Take it everywhere with me.

Opinion: I'm a not-yet-a-pro (but almost there), the first digicam the company I work for bought for me had 1.3 megapixels. Since then I've been comparing cameras with friends at work and the neigborhood. Also spend coffee breaks reading online reviews and new product release news.

Been three weeks since I first pressed the shutter release of this pretty li'l thingy. I still enjoy the look on people's face whenever I pull it out of my shirt pocket. :-) (hey, what can I do? I gotta show off, can't do it with my car, it's a rust-covered Corolla '89).

I'd say the 4800Z is a nice little toy. Image quality in good lighting condition is comparable to other 2.1 megapixel digicams. Night shots are ok, but I've seen better. The flash kinda dims out at about 70% from the center at wide angle. Sharpness at the corners are not so impressive either. Color accuracy is very good. Sharpness at center of close shots are ok. Indoor flash shots needs a little tweaking in your desktop comp.

I'd say a semi-pro could get one with more modes to play around with for the same price or even less. And an amateur could get one that is cheaper and able to produce the same result.

If I have to buy out of my own pocket, I'd get one with more manual controls. But in my case, it's free, company bought... err...I mean lend it to me.

Too pricey for an entry-level automatic digital camera.

Opinion: I went home very thrilled with 4800Z two weeks ago. Sad to say, the thrill was short-lived.

I could live with the limited option because I knew what I was getting when I walked into the store. But the image quality I am getting is not acceptable considering the amount I paid. Images are flat! And because there is not much manual settings to play with, what you get is what you get.

On the outside, this thing looks and feels fantastic. Hmmm... the worn out cliche: Do not judge a book by its cover.

I'm exchanging it with something else... say Oly 2040Z or C700UZ, I don't know yet. But I am sure I can get a better one with the money I handed over to the pretty lady at the counter.