Fujifilm FinePix S1800

Category:	Type:	Image Sensor	:
Point-and-Shoot	Compact	Optical Zoom	:
Beginner	Ultra Compact	Image Stabilization	:
Serious	Ultra Zoom	Display	:
Advanced	DSLR	Shooting Mode	:
Pro	DIL	Movie	:
		Price check…	:

Superzoom with flexible exposure. The Fujifilm FinePix S1800 features 12.2MP resolution (1/2.3-in. CCD), a 18x wide-angle optical zoom (28-504mm equiv.), built-in Sensor-shift image stabilization, and a 7.6-cm (3.0-in.) LCD display screen (230k-dot).

Fujifilm has always designed some of the best looking superzoom digital cameras and the FinePix S1800 does not disappoint. It is shaped like a DSLR with a deep handgrip to provide comfortable handling.

The 18x wide-angle optical zoom (28-504mm equiv.) is ideal for capturing sweeping landscapes, wide interior shots, large group shots as well as long telephoto shots such as distant sports and wildlife action. This versatile long zoom encompasses nearly every photographic requirement in a single compact unit and means you don’t need to be concerned with buying more lenses.

Sensor-shift Image Stabilization functionality combines a mechanically stabilized CCD sensor with high ISO sensitivities (to ISO 6400) to reduce the blurring effect of both handshake and subject movement.

You can shoot High-Definition (HD) movie 1280×720 pixels (720p) at 30fps with monaural sound. An optional HD Player Kit for the S1800 includes an HD Card Reader that connects to your HDTV via HDMI Cable for true digital transfer of HD quality and a wireless Remote Control for video playback from the comfort of your couch.

The S1800 sports a large 3.0-inch LCD with a fast 60fps frame rate for a smooth display. An electronic viewfinder (EVF) has 200,000 dot resolution.

Unlike most superzoom digital cameras that are essentially point-and-shoot models, the Fujifilm S1800 provides full exposure flexibility that makes it ideal for those learning photography.

For the beginner photographer, the S1800 features Auto, scene modes and SR Auto mode for ‘point and shoot’ results. Intelligent Scene Recognition (SR Auto) detects your scene (Portrait, Backlit Portrait, Night Portrait, Landscape, Macro and Night scene), and optimizes the camera settings dependent on the shooting conditions.

More advanced photographers will appreciate the full complement of manual and semi-automatic shooting modes (Programmed AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, and Manual mode) for full control.

The Fujifilm FinePix S1800 superzoom is ideal for a beginner photographer, providing all the functionality you’ll need to explore and learn about photography. It’s easy enough for soccer moms to use as an automatic point-and-shoot camera as well as for the budding photographer who needs the manual exposure flexibility. The S1800 is priced at about US $230 (CAD $250).

If you need DSLR performance and image quality, consider the bridge superzoom FinePix HS10 (US $499.95). For US $20 less, you can have the FinePix S1600 with 15x optical zoom.