Photographers looking for muscle in a
fixed mount zoom lens camera, as well as high definition video capture,
will have their interest aroused by Fujifilm's 10-megapixel FinePix S2000HD
offering. The bytecam has a substantial 15x optical zoom and can shoot
30fps HD video at 1280 x 720 pixels. But those attractive features are
offset by some ergonomic annoyances, most notably the outdoor performance
of the snapper's 2.7-inch display and electronic viewfinder.
The unit, currently selling in the neighborhood of $224-$249, produced
good images with its Fujinon monster zoom. Framing those images outdoors,
though, especially on bright days, was often problematic.
Shutterbugs who like to get chummy with their subjects without violating
their quarry’s air space will love the power of the S2000HD's 15x
zoom, the equivalent of a 27.6-414mm lens in a 35 millimeter camera. One
difficulty with a long zoom like this one, however, is that--even with
image stabilization enabled--subjects still shake on the LCD or in the
viewfinder making it difficult to compose pictures with the lens at full
telephoto. On the plus side, the shake on the display doesn't appear in
the finished product as the camera's stabilization systems do a very good
job of countering clickster shiver.
At the other end of the zoom, the lens is wide enough to create dramatic
environmental and landscape shots.
Close-up enthusiasts will also appreciate the lens' Super Macro mode.
It permits a shooter to get very close to their subjects and produce arresting
images of favorites like flowers, insects and fruits.
In addition to capturing quality stills, the S2000HD shoots HD video
with surprising good sound quality, even more surprising considering that
the camera's microphone is buried in a recess at the front of the camera.
While shooters who see "HD" and can't wait to see video nabbed
with the unit on their 40-inch plasma TV will be disappointed, those with
a yen to post moving pictures to the Web or share them via e-mail will
be pleased with what they can produce with this Fujifilm offering.
The S2000HD's good performance qualities, however, are offset by its
maddening display quality outdoors. Bright sunlight washes out the LCD--not
an uncommon problem with digital cameras in general--and frequently poses
problems to creativity. Moreover, the unit's electronic viewfinder, which
lacks the quality of the LCD and is, at best, an approximate vehicle for
determining what an image will look like after it's shot, doesn't have
an eyecup so it, too, can wash out in bright light leaving a lensslinger
totally in point-and-hope mode.
In addition, the camera's menu system is a checkered affair. Menus when
the unit is in its creative modes--Program, Shutter Priority, Manual and
Custom (there's no Aperture Preferred mode)--are tedious to maneuver in.
That's less so in automatic and video modes where menu options are limited
to a single screen.
The menu morass, though, is offset by a dutiful set of dedicated controls
that give a clickster quick access to oft used functions like face detection,
macro modes, flash settings, exposure compensation, sequential shooting
modes, light sensitivity and image quality.
Of course, pocketjacks who like to keep interaction with their cameras
at a minimum can put the S2000HD in full auto mode or choose from a robust
array of scene settings and avoid many of the unit's interface issues
altogether--and still get very good results.
However, if a minimalist shooter wants to go beyond the full or semi
auto stage with the camera, its documentation, which is clear, simply
presented and easy to understand, will take them there. The unit's software,
though, remains pretty basic and can be outgrown by a budding photographer
pretty quickly.
While the S2000HD isn't wart free, it performs well in a most important
department--image quality. Its attractive feature set coupled with its
enticing price make it worth considering by point-and-shoot fans searching
for sophistication and power without crossing the line into digital SLR
territory. |
Introduction
