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Reviewed:
Jan 2009
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he FinePix S2000HD is an upgrade to the S1000fd, and can trace its ancestry back to the S3500, released in 2004. The zoom range has been expanded from 12x to 14.7 times and the lens now also features a real wideangle at 27.6mm equivalent. The 'HD' element of its name denotes its compatibility with high definition television systems - it can record 720p HD video as well as being able to display its still images on an HD set.
This 10MP camera with 15x zoom (which starts at around 28 mm) also includes features such as Dual Shot Mode, dual image stabilization, Zoom Bracketing and Face Detection. There's much to like about the S2000HD: it handles well, is relatively responsive and very compact considering the zoom range on offer, plus it has a surprisingly comprehensive feature set. But ultimately the output is disappointing, and the automatic systems aren't reliable enough (we had a lot more success once we started to take control of it more manually, but that kind of defeats the purpose of all those clever features).
| Quick links: | Announcement | Review | Forum |
| Announced: | Aug 12, 2008 |
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Average rating:
4.31
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Opinion: I mainly purchased this camera because its probably the only digital cam that offers High Def video and also to upgrade my megapixals from my 2 yr old canon cameras. (I have used my point and shoot cameras for all my videos for quite some time.) I am pleased with the incredible video quality of this new fuji. It is stunning compared to what Im used to in my dig cameras and camcorders. Im sure a true HD camcorder may take better videos, but I dont wish to spend that kind of money or want to carry around 2 cameras. The optical zoom does function with videos. Takes great pictures and the 15x zoom works quite well. Bright, crisp, clear still pics and video! Feels good in your hand. Plenty of features for a $300 camera...they could have easily priced this $100 higher. Buy an 8GB card and sell your camcorder on ebay!
Problems: Non-standard USB port on camera...stupid!! Not super fast regarding shutter lag, but there are alot of features like redeye and face detection that I need to experiment with turning off. Some pictures out of focus using zoom which is pretty common for mega-zoom cameras. When panning quickly on videio you will loose clarity...this is a common phenomenon, and Im not sure if high end hd cameras are alot better. You will need a screeming fast computer to process HD video. Im still doing cartwheels...this camera is awesome for the price!
Opinion: Very cute, but maddening to use.
After two weeks of hands-on work with this camera, I've concluded a) it's very cute and does many things well but b) it can be maddening to use.
What it does well:
• In good light, it takes photos and high definition video which are sharp and have good color saturation.
• The tiny flash is surprisingly powerful, even when lighting a fairly large room.
• It offers a wide range of image sizes and formats (ie., 16:9, 4:3, etc.)
• It takes excellent close-up photos of flowers, insects, etc.
• It has some interesting and useful features including high speed (33 fps) photography at 3MP, red-eye reduction, etc.
• It's extremly cute (like a baby dSLR) and easy to carry around.
Why it's maddening:
• The electronic viewfinder (EVF) functions like a traditional optical viewfinder. When using the EVF, however, you must continue looking through it to see the image you just shot as the latter doesn't appear on the camera's main viewscreen. The logic is you only use the EVF when it's too bright to see the main viewscreen, however, I'd like to be able to use the EVF to save on batteries and use the main viewscreen to confirm my photos after each shot.
• The camera menus are frustratingly inconsistent between different camera modes. For example, some modes allow you to change the ISO while other modes allow only "auto" ISO. The auto-only option should ONLY be on the auto mode.
• Setting shutter speed and aperature is not entirely intuitive. To increase the shutter speed, you have to push the down arrow button. (I know, push down to admit less light, but I don't think that way when shooting. If I want a faster shutter speed, I should be pushing the up arrow button.)
• When setting aperature, you're only given a choice of two aperature settings (f3.5 and f7 when on wide angle, for example). If I'm adjusting the aperature, I'd like to set it to any setting I desire, not just two.
• The macro and super-macro modes require separate button clicks to activate and deactivate. In the field, this quickly gets annoying, especially when similar video closeups don't require the same adjustments. If closeups work when shooting video, they should also work with still photos.
• No threads for lens filters. I have a skylight 1A filter on all of my SLRs and dSLRs. With a little camera like this one, I'd like it to have the same protection for its lens.
• No battery level indicator until the batteries are almost entirely drained.
• The full camera manual is a PDF on CD. For a camera that definitely requires you to read the manual to get reasonably comfortable (or at least minimally frustrated) with it, a printed full manual is a must-have.
Problems: • When shooting toward the sun (not necessarily directly at it, but with the sun at your face), the viewfinder image takes on a strong bluish tinge which is distracting. The photos themselves are fine, but forget trying to judge color accuracy when looking through what looks like a clear, blue shower curtain.
• The "blue shower curtain" effect IS a problem on the final result when shooting lower resolution video (620x480 or 320x240). Face toward a major light source such as the open sky and your low-rez videos will have a noticeable blue curtain "falling" down the screen at those bright spots.
• Ridiculously short battery life. I like using AA batteries and have two Pentax dSLRs in which battery life isn't an issue. Why this little camera goes through AAs like popcorn is an engineering problem IMHO.
• Zooming while shooting video sounds like a zipper zipping and unzipping on the audio. When shooting, plan on editing out any zoom-transitions you have in your video later.
Bottom line: I *want* to like this camera, but it's annoying enough that I haven't fallen in love with it. Hopefully many of the issues above can be addressed with a software update. The hardware issues, however, make the camera feel like it's still not ready for prime-time.
Opinion: I agree with Ithaca below exactly
Opinion: I like this camera a lot. Sure its a little slow sometimes and you have to get used to the menu system. But it takes excelllent punchy sharp photos that need very little post processing and the 15x Wide zoom is outstanding. 27mm wide end is really useful in tight places. I am not sure why the battery complaints, I have the same set in that I charged up 2 weeks ago and have taken hundreds of shots with and without flash. Just make sure the rechargables you use are new and 2500MAH plus and I am sure you will find the same long life I am experiencing...
2 zone camera shake reduction works OK, better than in the past where Fuji would only boost the ISO and call it anti shake...
The 2 shot mode where it takes one with flash and one without very quickly is outstanding! As is the auction mode that you can combine up to 4 shots in one photo, excellent feature. Perfect for Ebay... All in all a winner in my book. I have 4 cameras to compare it to currently includling a DSLR, but prefer to carry the S2000HD...
Problems: The usual:
Don't like the loose large lens cap.
Wish I could delete right after taking. (Have to go to play mode)
No raw
But of course folks, lets look at this as what it is, an under $300 Compact Wide Zoom that takes great photos.
and OK, its not what DSLR's are made of. Buit its not supposed to be and you are not paying for it either. Enjoy it!
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 | 22.3 megapixels 3.2" screen Full frame sensor |
