Fujifilm Finepix S8000fd 8MP Digital Camera with 18x Optical Image Stabilization

The way I test the quality of a digital camera is to view its photographs on a computer at 100 percent. (After all, what good is a 8 megapixel camera if one could merely zoom the pictures from a 4 megapixel camera to 200 percent and get the same quality.) I find that my new Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd takes grainy (blurry) pictures. I took a number of pictures, all using a tripod for stabilization, and they all turned out grainy. (I used the Auto function to allow the camera to choose the "best" setting.)

The camera is light, but that is because where most quality camera manufactures use metal (usually an aluminum alloy) in the barrel (zoom lens) of the camera, Fujifilm uses plastic. And the plastic lens has around 125 thousandths movement from side to side when extended.

Fuji used to mean quality. I've owned several over the years, starting with the one I bought while serving in Vietnam. I wonder if Fujifilm is the same company. If so, the company seems to have lessened their standards.

Too bad a person couldn't "try before you buy," like some software manufactures offer.

So far I am impressed with this camera. My first real test was a few days after I got it I went to an indoor circus. There was very low light conditions and the camera seemed to do well. Granted I have to learn to adjust some settings to perfect my picture taking but I was impressed with the camera on a first time using basis. I am looking forward to other events to test this camera out.

We are getting used to working with the Fugifilm S8000. It takes wonderful pictures and the zoom is fun to work with. I like the view finder and the stabilization features. The different settings are also easy to work with. The pictures download to the computer easily. I would recommend this camera to anyone who likes to take pictures.

I have only had my new camera a short time so I have a lot of expiramenting and learning to do. I like it very much. I am extreemly happy this is a choice I made.

After months of research, I anxiously anticipated the release of this camera and was finally able to purchase it 3 months ago. I still have a lot to learn about its features, but so far, I am blown away by its clarity and quality. I knew I was limited by budget and not quite ready to make the leap to a DSLR, and the Fuji has all the features I was hoping to find in one camera. I can not go anywhere without it. The 18x optical zoom allows some great nature pics, and the macro and super macro can capture the details of all of my favorite flowers. I was expecting to have issues with being pretty shaky, but I seldom use a tripod and have not had any trouble, even at full zoom. The only cons I have noticed so far are that it's a little slow at startup and between shots, and the tripod port is plastic. I'd like to be able to add lenses, but I think for the average amateur photographer, this camera has enough of a range to suit my needs. I'm in love with it.