Fujifilm FinePix 3800 3MP Digital Camera w/ 6x Optical Zoom

Fujifilm FinePix 3800 3MP Digital Camera w/ 6x Optical Zoom
Manufacturer: FUJIFILM
Product Type: Photography

Editorial Review:
Product Description
The FinePix 3800 digital camera, with 3.2 million effective pixels, produces image with 2048 x 1536 recorded pixels. The camera has a simple, user-friendly control and an easy USB computer connection. Built into a compact body it features a precision retractable Fujinon 6X optical lens, with 3.2X digital zoom, mini Though-The-Lens (TTL) electric viewfinder, pictures voice annotation, video recording, and PC-Cam Internet mode. Set to automatic, or select manual for greater control over each picture. It has optional wide and telelenses. The camera comes with a 16MB XD-Picture Card, 4 AA batteries, FinePix Software and a USB cable.
Amazon.com Review
For the money, it would be difficult to find a digital camera that could match the features and image quality of the FinePix 3800. A true 6x optical zoom sets this 3-megapixel camera apart from the crowd, allowing for shots that simply wouldn't be possible with a typical point-and-shoot camera.

It uses a bright pop-up flash that stays far enough away from the lens to reduce red-eye, and pictures can be framed using either the crisp 1.8-inch LCD screen on the back or the large viewfinder, which is surrounded by a rubber sheath. The viewfinder also uses an LCD, so unfortunately you can't see anything through it when the camera is turned off.

Beginners can leave the camera in fully automatic mode and snap away, while pros can use the many manual adjustments to achieve more professional results. Either way, the resulting pictures feature excellent color saturation and impressive detail, despite the camera's relatively aggressive image compression. Hair loses some of its texture, and reds tend to look slightly more orange in the photos than in reality, but the camera's abilities are outstanding for the price.

The only real problem with the FinePix 3800 is that it is nearly impossible to frame a picture or get the camera's autofocus to work in a low-light situation. Images seen through the viewfinder or displayed on the LCD get very murky in candlelight conditions. However, 90 percent of the time the camera works marvelously, and its light-gathering abilities once it does manage to focus in dim light are outstanding.

You'll definitely want to get a higher-capacity xD-Picture Card, as the included 16 MB card holds only 12 high-quality images. But other than that oversight, this camera provides everything you need to take some great digital photographs. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

Pop-up flash
6x optical zoon
Captures a terrific amount of detail

Cons:

Needs a bigger memory card
Low-light performance suffers

Amazon.com Product Description
The Fuji FinePix 3800 expands your digital photography horizons with a range of advanced options, including manual mode with aperture control and exposure compensation. It features 3-megapixel resolution, 6x optical zoom, and movie mode. The FinePix 3800 is also one of the first digital cameras to utilize the tiny XD memory card.

Optics and Resolution
Featuring a CCD sensor with 3.24 million effective pixels, the FinePix 3800 delivers a wide range of detail and color (with images up to 2,048 x 1,536 pixels) and prints up to 11 by 14 inches. The FinePix 3800 features a fast f/2.8 Fujinon lens with a 6x optical zoom and a variable digital zoom: 3.2x (at the 640 x 480 setting) or 1.6x (at the 1,280 x 960 setting). Its lens focal length is equivalent to 38-114mm on a 35mm camera.

Storage and Transfer
The FinePix 3800 is one of the first digital cameras to be compatible with the new XD memory card. Comparable in size to a penny and weighing less than one-tenth of an ounce, the new XD memory card is not only the smallest storage medium, it also uses less power for better battery performance and has faster data transfer rates than other memory cards. The included 16 MB XD card will store approximately 12 images at fine mode and 26 images at normal mode.

To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera--your computer should automatically recognize the camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive.

Movie Mode
In movie mode, the FinePix 3800 produces digital videos (with sound) in QVGA (320 x 240) format for movies approximately 60 seconds in length at 10 frames per second. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

More Features

1.8-inch LCD monitor
White balance: auto, plus six selectable positions in manual mode
Flash modes: auto, red-eye reduction, forced flash, suppressed flash, and slow synchro
Sensitivity: ISO 100 equivalent
Shutter speed: 3 to 1/1,500 second
Voice memo: up to 30 seconds

Power
The FinePix 3800 is powered by four AA batteries (alkalines are included). We recommend getting a set or two of rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries and a charger. A digital camera will kill a set of alkaline batteries extremely quickly, especially if you're using the camera's LCD display, so they aren't recommended except in a pinch.

Size
The FinePix 3800 measures at 3.9 by 3.0 by 2.7 inches and 10 ounces.

Contents
This package includes the FinePix 3800 digital camera, a 16 MB XD memory card, four AA alkaline batteries, a USB cable, a shoulder strap, an adapter ring, a lens cap, and a CD-ROM with software and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

Fujifilm FinePix 3800 3MP Digital Camera w/ 6x Optical Zoom

Average customer rating:

Good little camera - some pros and cons
My Finepix just died too
Great camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
R.I.P. Finepix 3800
Sagging after 3 and a half years

Fujifilm FinePix 3800 3MP Digital Camera w/ 6x Optical Zoom

Manufacturer: FUJIFILM
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

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Accessories:

FujiFilm 256 MB xD Picture Card, Type M ( 600004661 )
HP Premium Photo Paper, Glossy (C6039A, 8.5x11, 15 Sheets)
Kodak Ink Jet Photographic Paper Photo Weight
Vivitar V-2200GX Video/Photo Tripod
Epson Heavyweight 8.5x11 Matte Paper, 50 Sheets (S041257),

Product Features:

3.0-megapixel sensor captures enough detail to create prints up to 11 x 14
6x optical zoom with variable digital zoom: 3.2x (at 640 x 480) or 1.6x (at 1280 x 960)
Stores photos on 16 MB XD card--12 images at fine and 26 images at normal
Connects to PCs via USB port
Powered by 4 AA alkaline batteries (included)--rechargeables recommended

ASIN: B00006FMPP

Amazon.com Review

For the money, it would be difficult to find a digital camera that could match the features and image quality of the FinePix 3800. A true 6x optical zoom sets this 3-megapixel camera apart from the crowd, allowing for shots that simply wouldn't be possible with a typical point-and-shoot camera.

Pros:

Pop-up flash
6x optical zoon
Captures a terrific amount of detail

Cons:

Needs a bigger memory card
Low-light performance suffers

Amazon.com Product Description

The Fuji FinePix 3800 expands your digital photography horizons with a range of advanced options, including manual mode with aperture control and exposure compensation. It features 3-megapixel resolution, 6x optical zoom, and movie mode. The FinePix 3800 is also one of the first digital cameras to utilize the tiny XD memory card.

More Features

1.8-inch LCD monitor
White balance: auto, plus six selectable positions in manual mode
Flash modes: auto, red-eye reduction, forced flash, suppressed flash, and slow synchro
Sensitivity: ISO 100 equivalent
Shutter speed: 3 to 1/1,500 second
Voice memo: up to 30 seconds

Size
The FinePix 3800 measures at 3.9 by 3.0 by 2.7 inches and 10 ounces.

Product Description

The FinePix 3800 digital camera, with 3.2 million effective pixels, produces image with 2048 x 1536 recorded pixels. The camera has a simple, user-friendly control and an easy USB computer connection. Built into a compact body it features a precision retractable Fujinon 6X optical lens, with 3.2X digital zoom, mini Though-The-Lens (TTL) electric viewfinder, pictures voice annotation, video recording, and PC-Cam Internet mode. Set to automatic, or select manual for greater control over each picture. It has optional wide and telelenses. The camera comes with a 16MB XD-Picture Card, 4 AA batteries, FinePix Software and a USB cable.

Customer Reviews:

Good little camera - some pros and cons.......2007-06-06

Our office purchased this camera a couple of years ago. I am the primary user of the camera. (This model provided the balance between features and price at the time it was purchased.) This is a good little camera, adequate for general use, with one or two sticking points to be aware of.

This camera has difficulties in low-light -- even ordinary room lighting -- without a flash. (In fairness, this disfeature is a fairly common occurrence in many cameras of this caliber and price range, though, as is the JPEG artifacts one gets in the images.) Using the flash will help with out-of-focus photos but go through batteries faster, the resulting photographs are usually less pleasing too -- people harshly lit with drastic shadows. (This can sometimes be minimized with thought and care.)

If you are not afraid to use the manual settings, brace the camera against something, or use a tripod, it is often the way to go. Some great shots can be had, even in room light, with manual settings, a tripod or steady hand, and a steady subject. In fact, using manual will often produce a better photo, with more natural color, than can be achieved with the automatic settings usually! Well worth learning.

The use of standard AA size batteries is a plus. I thought that the use of four AA batteries (rather than two) might mean longer life. I was incorrect. Be prepared with extra batteries and/or a good quick charger, especially when flash or zoom is used.

The biggest annoyance with this camera for me personally, though, is the fact that every time the batteries die, or are changed, the date must be reset before the camera will allow any photographs to be taken. (I don't even bother setting the date any longer. I just hit two or three buttons to skip past it all, but it's required every time the batteries die or are changed.) I've often wished the camera contained a capacitor or watch battery to maintain its memory while batteries were changed. (I believe newer Fugi models may have resolved this issue though; Fugi has some newer models with nice improvements and optical zooms up to 10x, in similarly price models.)

In the end, I would not discourage anyone from buying this model. The photo quality is on par with any of the rival models, just be aware of this model's quirks. Generally speaking, Fugi seems to make a fine camera. I just wish we had held off for another year and the newer models.

My Finepix just died too.......2007-04-10

The same as the above posters, our camera just died...I think fujifilm should recall this camera due to it just stopping to work. What now a $300 paperweight? Was an excellent when working.

Great camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-04-09

Love my camera, it takes the greates pictures even it your not a professional. I love the video also. The quality is excellent and mine was refurbished.

R.I.P. Finepix 3800.......2007-03-24

This was a great camera while it lasted. We bought ours in Aug. 2003 and it has been everywhere with us. It took very decent pictures and was easy to use. It's a bit bulky. WARNING: our camera recently passed away. We took very good care of it, used rechargeable batteries (the only way to go, etc... but a few weeks ago it just stopped working. I had used it all morning and then it just wouldn't turn on. I've tried recharging the batteries, using different batteries, toggling the switch... nothing works. I hate to think of the hundreds of dollars we spent to "rent" this camera for a few years. Technology changes quickly, and there are much better cameras on the market now... but products shouldn't just cease to work for no reason.

Sagging after 3 and a half years.......2007-03-17

All the favorable reviews about this camera are true. If only I could still turn it on. It would have been great to have for the rest of my life.

I know exactly what the problem is. The batteries rest on metal tabs that do two things: They are electrical contacts, and they are supposed to act like little springs, holding the batteries up firmly against the electrical contacts in the battery compartment door. Unfortunately, these little tabs are now sagging. So the batteries no longer make firm contact, and, even with fresh batteries, the camera can't muster the power to take pictures.

Pulling the tabs back up is problematical. They are buried at the bottom of the battery compartment and very hard to get at.

The camera still works fine if run off its power adapter. You have to be near a power outlet. This basically turns it into an indoors-only camera.

Didn't the Fuji engineers know that a thin strip of metal, placed under constant pressure, will eventually sag? Maybe they were well aware of this. Maybe this is an example of "planned obsolescence".

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