Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd

Review summary: The S8000 fd from Fuji is loaded with advanced photo technologies, including an 18x wide angle optical zoom, an 8-megapixel Super CCD HR sensor and an electronic viewfinder, so you can capture everything in detail! This high-power zoom is coupled with ...

Pros: Exactly how much zoom do you need? Fujifilm's latest SLR-alike packs enough optical power to spot Jessica Simpson's talent from space, a massive 18x lens that spans true wide-angle to extreme telephoto. It's got the best face detection system on the ...

Cons: Although the S8000fd looks like an SLR, don't expect it to handle or shoot like one. Focusing and zooming take a little longer than you'd like, and 8MP images can be heavy on noise (in low light) and distortion (at telephoto settings)

Verdict: Divide its price by its zoom and this Finepix is the cheapest digital camera in the world. But divide talent by ego and even Paris Hilton looks like a steal. A smart choice when flexibility is more important than the best possible picture quality.

Review summary: As this issue was going to press, we received word that the FinePix S8000fd is being replaced by the a newer model: the S8100fd. The primary differnce is resolution, which increases to 10MP on the new model. Other than resolution, everything we say ...

Review summary: I took the Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd on a few different outings where I would normally take my full size digital SLR. The compact size of the FinePix S8000fd immediately appealed to me. It easily fit into my golf bag, the side leg pocket of my cargo ...

Pros: Compact size, Large LCD, Comfortable, intuitive control layout, Multiple shooting modes, Dual IS image stabilization, High-speed shooting, Uses easy to find AA batteries, Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd Digital Camera, 4 AA-size Alkaline Batteries, Shoulder ...

Cons: Cumbersome shutter and aperture controls, Small memory card door, Noticeable shutter-lag, Small viewfinder, Lens cap falls off easily, Battery life is on the short side

Verdict: The Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd really is a jack-of-all-trades. With iffy battery life, and underpowered flash, and a questionable lens cape, it's not perfect. But it can do almost anything you want it to. While not my cup of tea for a compact sports ...

Review summary: When most folks hear "point-and-shoot digital camera," they envision a pocketable package with a low-magnification zoom--something in the 3x to 5x range. But there's a class of pop-and-cop snappers that have more in common with digital SLRs than they ...