Fuji Finepix S3000

The Fuji Finepix S3000 is a very nice camera to hold and to use, but the shakiness is a problem, although if you turn on the pop-up flash it is fine. It is a very good camera for beginners, as it is easy to use and has unbelieveably fantastic results, and the high resolution of 3.2mp means that you can enlarge to photo to about A3 size!

I bought my S3000 used from Jessops for £90(!) back in July, and overall I've been very pleased with my purchase. It falls between a more professional (and too expensive) camera and a basic point and shoot with few manual options. With the S3000 you can adjust focal length, EV and more, as well as having some preset modes for 'portrait' shots, landscapes and so on. The x6 zoom is quite unusual in a camera of this price too, and image quality is excellent.

The camera does take a little more work to get the best from it for lower light or action shots. It would benifit from a focus assist lamp or manual focus and more flexibility with it's ISO settings, which is fixed at 100 if the flash isn't engaged. However, even if it is reporting trouble focussing, generally the shots are acceptable with flash, and playing with manual settings can help.

Overall, the shortcomings of this camera are overcome by it's main advantages of good image quality, a degree of manual control if you want it, and that x6 optical zoom. If you want a more rounded, professional camera, people speak highly of the s5000 and s7000, but if you are on a budget, looking for an intermediate level camera that will let you take some very good quality pictures, the s3000 will fit the bill, and is selling cheap now the s3500 has replaced it in fuji's current lineup.

On the whole, the Fuji Finepix S3000 is fantastic value for money, I got mine using the kelkoo site for £125 inc delivery. The photo's are excellent and the amount of add on's and extra's is quite reassuring. Build quality is good, also I strongly recommend anyone to buy this even as a starter camera as it is extremely easy to use and quite robust.

I got this Fuji Finepix S3000 digital camera as a present about a week ago. So far I am more than impressed.

In Auto mode this camera is so easy even my 6 year old daughter used it!

The menu set-up in Playback mode is intuitive, and you'll soon be whizzing around the menus deleting frames, changing flash settings, and all sorts.

The Macro mode is impressive, the zoom is great although there is a tendency for camera shake - but I believe this is inherent to all digital zoom cameras?!

I recommend that after the first hour of snapping all sorts, you do take the time to sit and read the manual, there are so many great features in this camera that you'll never discover them unless you do.

In summary, for the money I highly recommend it - its got the looks, the name, and the 'quality feel' that others simply don't have!

The Fuji Finepix S3000 is a great camera and recommend it. I have had not problems with it. Takes good quality photos and very easy to use.