Digital Camera Technology

Approximately two years after the release of the popular Fujifilm S3 Pro, it seemed that it was the end of the popular DSLR line.  Then in spring of 2007, the Fujifilm S5 Pro stepped into the market and took the world by storm.  Announced in 2006, it took almost a year for the launch of the Fujifilm S5 Pro.

Not quite like Nikon
For a time, most Fujifilm DSLR camera models were loosely based on the Nikon D200.  This was all before the Fujifilm S5 Pro stepped in.  However, it still does share some similarities.  More obvious than not, the Fujifilm S5 Pro is a Nikon D200 except that it has a Super CCD sensor and a Fuji processor.  What this means is that the Fujifilm S5 Pro has the advantage of using a camera body that is superior in design much like the Nikon D200.  The body design is weather-sealed with a chassis made of magnesium alloy, it employs the latest generation focus, has flash and metering systems, better shutter and viewfinder and is compatible with a variety of lenses out in the market.  The Fujifilm S5 Pro is now also the first Fuji SLR that is worthy of the digital generation.  Why?  Again, previous models were loosely based on Nikon film cameras.  Its design is now almost original with better button placements compared to previous models and it has a new processor and a better sensor.

The improvements
While the S3 Pro was popular because of the quality of pictures it captured and not speed, the Fujifilm S5 pro was designed to answer the issues that slowed down S3 Pro sales.  However, the camera still was popular among photographers who were willing to sacrifice certain features.  The Fujifilm S5 Pro is still quite affordable and is only slightly cheaper than the Nikon D200; only now, the Fujifilm S5 Pro has a lot of better features installed into its body.  This includes an improved Super CCD SR Pro with an optimized low-pass filter, an RP Processor Pro with two cycles of noise reduction, six preset Dynamic Range settings, better Nikon lens compatibility, a RAW and JPEG dual-save mode, and an 11-point AF sensor with improved focusing speed.  The camera is also noticeably lighter and sports moisture-proof and dust-proof seals.  It also now allows you to check focusing for up to 30 seconds live view in either color or monochromatic settings.  The ever-popular face detection technology can also be found in the new Fujifilm S5 Pro.

With all these improvements and new features, the Fujifilm S5 Pro stands out as one of Fuji’s finest digital offerings.  The Fujifilm S5 Pro is the perfect successor for the S3 Pro and seems that it can hold on its own without having to stick too close to the traditional Nikon design.  Potential buyers of the S3 Pro can now look forward and make a sure decision with the Fujifilm S5 Pro.  This is definitely one super camera that takes Fuji to greater heights in the DSLR industry, perhaps a step up that Fuji hopefully will follow up with succeeding models.

It used to be that you could go out there, buy a camera and load it with all kinds of film.  Quality of that film was defined by brand like Kodak, Fuji, etc.  There was no real basis for telling which film was the best for your pictures.  Only through a trial and error method was it possible and this meant that you had to spend a lot of money for film.  This no longer holds true with digital cameras.  Through mega pixels alone you can tell what kind of quality you get.  It’s a simple process: the higher number of mega pixels, the better the quality.  Don’t know that your mega pixel choice is?  Here is a list of the recommended camera per mega pixel category.

5MP

For digital cameras at a cheaper price, it’s not the number of mega pixels that will help you.  It’s actually what other features the camera has.  You can actually get a really good camera with 5 mega pixels and a high price tag.  A good recommend for choosing a camera by mega pixel is to go with one that has other good features too like the Fuji FinePix S5200 Zoom.  For just under $250, you can have a 5.1 mega pixel camera with 10x optical zoom that allows you to choose between auto and manual focus.

6MP

An obvious choice for a good 6 mega pixel camera is the Canon PowerShot S3 IS.  It doesn’t break the $300 mark and it packs in a 12x optical zoom, 4x digital zoom, optional conversion lenses can be attached to its body, and it runs on AA batteries.  The build is probably what makes this camera stand out from the rest; it is painted with a dark, metallic gray and it doesn’t feel weak in the hands at all.  One of the most solid of digital cameras, this is definitely a winner when choosing a camera by mega pixel.

7MP

For a fairly price deal on a 7 mega pixel digital camera, you may want to look in the direction of Panasonic.  The Panasonic Lumix FZ8 is one of the best cameras out their in its price range.  A few bucks under $300, the camera lets you to reach almost professional standards without having to change the lenses when required.  The Lumix FZ8 is great casual camera and packs a whopping 12x optical zoom lens; yet it manages to retain a form factor that is small and portable.  This is definitely something for the creative individual choosing a camera by mega pixel.

For choices above the 7 mega pixel mark, you may want to look into the DSLR territory where professional photographers focus their attention.  Prices may be a little steeper than usual but if you do have the budget and the expertise, you may find good bargains with Nikon and Canon.  Sony DSLR’s tend to be over priced but over time, the prices do drop to acceptable levels.  Otherwise, your other option is to buy a digital camera off of someone who has no use for it; which is highly unlikely.

Picking out the best digital camera is one of the hardest things to do. This is because there are so many to choose from. However, for most people, the best choice of digital camera all depends on the budget that they have set for themselves. Buying digital cameras on a budget actually can make it easier for you as you can narrow down your choices to just a handful of available and known brands in the digital camera market.

Below $150

Believe it or not but you can actually get a very good camera for less than $150. There are a few brands that you can choose from, and each of these digital cameras on a budget is competitive on a global scale. You can pick a fine camera from brands like Canon, Fuji, Sony, Nikon, and Olympus. For an average of about $120, some (if not all) of these cameras even have outputs of anywhere between 5 mega pixels and over 8 mega pixels. And if it’s the number of mega pixels that make sense to you, then cameras like the Canon PowerShot A460 (5 mega pixels) or the Fuji FinePix A820 (8.3 mega pixels) should suit you fine.

$200 to $300 Choices

For those with a little more money to spend, your choices are broadened as well. For digital cameras on a budget from $200 to $300 you can buy yourself a Panasonic Lumix with 12x optical zoom and over 7 mega pixels. The popular Canon PowerShot SD800 IS is also available in this price range alongside competitive products from Casio, Pentax, Fuji, and Sony. With your options broadened, the features of these cameras are also much more varied than those that cost below $150. Research on what cameras you think might suit your lifestyle and taste. If you can’t find what you like, you can wait a little longer for more models to appear in this budget category as time goes by.

$350 to $600 Options

For digital cameras on a budget that nears $600, you will find that some of the best cameras can be found. You can opt for the Sony Cybershot H7, which is the successor to the popular H5. The Sony Cybershot H7 is known for its 15x optical zoom, 8.1 mega pixels and its output which promises HDTV quality. Other brands that comoete with this product and are slightly more expensive include the Canon PowerShot G7, the Nikon D40, and the Pentax K100D. Depending on what features you want or require as a photographer, you can choose among these winning products; rest assured, you won’t regret any of the purchases you make with this range of budget.

Digital cameras on a budget really depend on what you want out of a camera. There are some cameras that even go well over the $1000 mark (which includes lenses and other accessories that you will need to maintain the camera) and these are well suited for professionals who can make the money back if photography is how they make a living. Whatever your choice may be, make sure it stays within a reasonable budget.

For the budget-conscious photographer who wants to take advantage of the megazoom qualities of today’s hot and new digital cameras, there is one model worth every dollar invested: The Fuji FinePix S700. As one of the most popular and highest rated digital cameras when it comes to performance, the Fuji FinePix S700 is comparable to more expensive and popular brands like the Canon PowerShot S3 IS and the Sony CyberShot H5.

The Brand

It’s not that Fuji is an unknown brand when it comes to the digital camera market, but the company has had its fair share of unpopular cameras, mainly for the reason that the competition is tough in all categories of digital cameras. Fuji is a Japanese company that is well known for its photographic film products and a few of its cameras as well. Often in stiff competition with Kodak, it is the world’s largest photographic and imaging company.

The Camera

The Fuji FinePix S700 is bulky just looking at it. However, it’s what this point and shoot champion has inside it that matters the most. With a 7 mega pixel CCD and 10x zoom lens, the Fuji FinePix S700 can also be used manually, has a VGA movie mode and is one of the first Fuji digital cameras that have a card slot that accepts both XD and SD format memory cards. There are a lot of digital cameras in the ultra zoom category but it’s the Fuji FinePix S700 that stands out from the rest. First of all, it’s manual control allows you to use the camera almost like a DSLR, and you can take advantage of its shutter speed range to take clear images. It even has its own intelligent firmware that can eliminate blur plus an optional dual shot mode that will help you take two shots in quick succession. This is a great option because you can take a shot with flash and a shot without flash almost simultaneously and you can review the differences later. The suggested retail price for the Fuji Finepix S700 is at about $250 and that’s not a bad starting price for a camera in the megazoom category. If you don’t want to spend too much money on something that you might regret buying, the Fuji FinePix S700 is best suited for you.

In The Box

For $250 this is almost a steal. Included in the purchase of a Fuji FinePix S700 is the 7.1 mega pixel unit itself, four alkaline AA batteries (it’s suggested that you switch these with rechargeable batteries instead), a lens cap with a retaining strap, a neck strap, USB cable for connection to a PC or Mac, A/V cable, FinePix CX software, and the manual. More accessories can be bought to further protect the unit itself such as a bag or pouch for the camera. The camera is midsize but doesn’t feel cheap because Fuji has managed to use high quality materials on the Fuji FinePix S700 without it affecting the price tag. Well designed except for a few button placements, the S700 is a great recommend and well worth the trip to the local reseller in your area.