FujiFilm FinePix S3000 3.1MP Digital Camera w/6x Optical Zoom
By: Fuji Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 53
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 On: 2008-03-23
I really like this camera, I came across it by chance. This camera is small and compact considering all the features, I did not buy mines new, I bought it online though via eBay and I paid 41 dollars for it plus an elevated shipping amount of 12 dollars. I can say I am pleased at getting a camera that works for a good price.
Note price was my main consideration, it does not have ISO but I will wait and get a Panasonic which has ISO. For now I just invested in a tripod and the camera shoot fine. I dont know why Amazon has this camera for so much I found this camera new on ebay for 75 dollars. Just a FYI for you. I mainly use my camera for taking picture of still object for product listing and auction and I like it a lot.
On: 2007-08-24
I have used this camera on a semi-professional basis (I shoot for the local paper and have done some product shots for magazines, though I am not a full-time photographer) and I have won photography awards with it. This camera is easy to use, versatile, gets good results, and is reasonably priced.
To see some photos taken with this camera, go to BetterPhoto.com. Click on "photos" at the top, scroll down to "by camera" and enter Fuji Finepix S3000 in the search. It will bring up some links. Click on the name of the camera under "reviews". You will see a product detail and a thumbnail photo to the right of the page. Under it will say, "view photos created with this camera." Click on that to see pix taken with it. (I am not sure if I am allowed to put a direct link here).
What I love about this camera:
1. Its size. I can stick it in my purse and I can hold it comfortably with one hand. Its not too heavy or awkward to grab quickly or to carry around.
2. The macro setting. This has allowed me to get some detailed close-up shots of insects, frogs, toads and other small critters -- even those who arent always likely to stand still.
3. The optical zoom. I have also used that to get good shots of critters. Its not a super powerful zoom but it is decent. And if you are willing to move around, too, you can get close enough to butterflies or frogs to get a nice photo.
4. In general, this photo does excellent "still life" type photos. Ive done some really neat studio-type stuff with it.
5. Less shutter lag than any other point-and-shoot digital camera I have used. Shutter lag is a fact of life for any point-and-shoot digital camera. If you cant work around shutter lag, you need a film camera or a digital SLR, which will cost you at least 3 times as much as this model.
6. Its pretty darned good in low light. It will capture photos without the flash that my film SLR will not. With ANY camera -- even a digital SLR or 35mm -- if you are shooting in low light without flash, you want to use a tripod, brace yourself against a wall or something (and take multiple shots of the same thing), or set the camera down on a table or stack of books. Few cameras have the capability of taking night shots without some camera shake caused by the photographers movement while the camera takes the picture. See the review by "an electronics fan."
If you buy this camera (or the newer model which is an S700, I think), here are my recommendations:
1. Shoot a lot of frames. I bought the 2 GB memory card and it holds 1300 photos on the highest resolution setting. I have never filled the card! And my family teases me by spoofing the song "500 Miles" as "500 Frames" so its not that I dont try. :-) I got my butterfly shots through patience and a lot of frames. I did end up with a couple nice shots of just flowers (because the butterfly left before I could get the shot). I just accept that.
2. Get rechargeable batteries. Its about a $30 investment for the battery charger and two sets of AA rechargeable batteries. But it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
3. Experiment. Try different settings for the same subject and see how they turn out. You will get a lot more from this point-and-shoot than any other one on the market, IMHO.
Thanks for reading. I hope this was helpful!
 On: 2007-06-27
When I first recieved this camera 2 1/2 years ago as a birthday gift, I was excited! I thought it was the best thing ever! That was until I purchased a Cannon digital camera recently. OH....WHAT A DIFFERENCE! This camera(the S3000) eats up batter life like NO tomorrow! In the middle of a concert I would have to change the batteries and that did not make me very happy after a while. I bought a Cannon digital camera a month ago and have only needed to change the batteries ONCE(and I use the camera a lot since I have kids, pets, nephews and nieces). I also do not like the fact that the S3000 only records silent video(very short video I must add). My new Cannon powershot camera records video with sound and its VERY clear...NO need for a seperate video recorder now!
This camera is good for a beginner when it comes to digital cameras(just might hand the S3000 off to my Mom), but if you are familiar with digital cameras...dont buy this camera!
 On: 2006-09-09
When I received this camera as a christmas present I was a little disappointed. It runs on four AA batteries, and since I had asked for a camera take pictures of local rock bands, I quickly discovered one set of four batteries would not get me through one three hour show!
When we brought it back to Circuit City, they (rudely, never again) informed us that this camera was outdated (it was less than a month in my possession) and they wouldnt return it. We called Fuji directly and they recommended rechargeable batteries. We bought some good ones, and now I can get through whole day festivals. I have had the camera for a year and a half now, and although I have to turn the flash on and and cover it with my hand to get good lowlight pictures, I am really happy with its performance. If you are looking for a great "day at the beach with friends" camera, this is it. For serious forrays into nighttime photography, you will need to spend a little more money.
My vacation shots are perfect, my band shots are hit or miss.
It is/was the perfect starter camera.
On: 2006-08-13
This has been a great camera for me. It has consistently taken very good pics of anything I point it at. The zoom is quick. I have used other 3 and 4 megapix cameras that did not come close to matching this camera in regard to pic quality, auto features, and flash range.
Only one negative...it takes 4 AA batteries, and if you dont use higher quality rechargable batteries you will go through batteries quickly. I use a set of 2000 mAh batteries and have rarely had them give out on me.
On: 2006-07-03
The S3000 is intended for the novice, everyday user up to the lower middle level photographer. I have owned mine for about four years now and plan to upgrade soon and give my Fuji S3000 to my daughter, now that I have learned a little. Dont expect the instant response you get from a traditional 35 mm camera. Most digitals that are lower priced have a delay in processing the picture you just snapped and then another delay before they are ready to take another picture. With the more expensive SLRs, thats not the case.
Problems I have with the S3000:
-Short battery life - Buy some (8 or more) rechargeable AAs
-Small 16 MB memory comes with the camera - Buy a 128 MB xD-Picture Card. It can store over 100 photos at 3 mega pixels.
-Cloudy days or thick forests are considered low light and you can get blurry images. Im still trying to figure a work around for this. Indoor with flash works okay, but your battery life suffers.
Things I like about the S3000:
-6x Zoom - Lets you get in pretty close. Ive had some great shots using the zoom.
-Inexpensive - Mine was less than $200 (back then, cheaper now)
-8x10 in. & smaller size prints turn out very nice
-4 plus years and still working great
-The automatic setting works well for most situations
-You can take it off of automatic and experiment a little
On: 2006-06-05
Please dont listen to reviewers who say they cant take a good shot with this camera. Learn how to use the auto focus "half-press!" Its a great camera if it can auto-focus. If it cant auto-fucus, such as in low-light conditions, the results are less than stellar but still useable. We havent had any trouble with battery life, even with our cheap digicam batteries. Depending on the amount of use, they need charging every month or so.
Our daughter turned one a couple months ago and we have used the camera ever since she was born. We have taken hundreds and hundred of pics with it and have gotten lots of compliments (maybe its just the baby!). :) We are looking to upgrade around Christmas to get a smaller camera with more megapixals and image stabilization and hopefully quicker/better auto-focus. We did have one pixel go bad on the camera, which you can notice as a tiny white dot in some dark settings and can easily be "cloned" out by any software package if it shows up. A friends Olympus did the same thing after 6 months. Using the 6x zoom is great, even if it produces some noise during indoor shots.
There are obviously newer models out there which offer more features and better quality, but overall the S3000 is a great value (we paid under $200 for it) and has documented our family well for almost a year and a half now.
 On: 2006-03-20
My mom bought this off QVC a few years ago and claimed it was a really great camera (according to them). The first thing I noticed was that it took shaky photos. You have to hold it extremely still (as in...stop breathing, stop your blood pulse, and mimic a stone statue) in order for it to take MARGINALLY good photos with a very low blur. I dont know if mine is just a fluke or what, but one thing that cannot be denied is the high file size.
Upload them to your computer and even at the lowest bit setting youre still looking at about 400kb. Most digital cameras only use 100kb or so, and seeing as how this takes very blurry photos - whats the point of the extra file size?
I try to stand as still as I can when taking photos. Someone exclaimed once "you shouldnt jump up and down when taking photos" - and thats pretty close to how bad the photo quality is. I plan to get a new camera (with my moms discression - i am her tech guy...like a typical son who knows technology and a mother who just gets by).
I am very dissatisfied with this piece of equipment!
 On: 2006-03-10
I bought the Fugifilm Finepix S3000 about 18 months ago and wish I had spent a little more on another brand. Thought I was getting a good value from a well known company. Well everytime I want to use the camera I have to change the batterys. Doesnt matter if I took 1 or 100 pics the last time I used it. I have tried all kinds of batterys and it doesnt matter. The camera seems to use up the life of the batterys even if it is turned off. So unless you own a battery factory I would not recommend this camera.
On: 2006-03-08
I bought the Fuji FinePix S3000 about a year ago and have used it at least every week and sometimes everyday when I am on a trip or out on the water. I have been impressed and pleased with the quality of the photos it gives me. I have had 2 other digital cameras and this is fabulous compared to them.
Its a little slow in subdued light, and often I have to use a tripod, but if I know Ill be in dim light, I try to remember to bring one. You cant get a clear shot of the moon reflecting on a lake without something (tripod, monopod, Famous Grouse)to steady your hand.
Also, the view in the viewfinder is not necessarily the picture you will take. Especially if the subject is moving. I have had a problem taking photos of aircraft in flight, which either have flown out of the picture or are out of focus due to the automatic focus not "locking" on the subject.
I have probably taken 4,000 shots-maybe more-and have been very pleased with MOST of them, the disappointing ones are my fault, and I would say I am VERY happy with this camera.
On: 2006-02-27
I HAVE SHOT APPROXIMATELY 10,000 PICTURES WITH THIS CAMERA IN TWO YEARS. I AM A REAL ESTATE APPRIASER AND THIS IS ONE OF MY MOST IMPORTANT TOOLS I USE IN MY PROFESSION. I HAVE NOT BEEN REAL EASY ON THIS CAMERA AND IT GETS ITS SHARE OF ABUSE. IT IS A REAL WORKHORSE AND WOULDNT TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING. I HAVE ONLY HAD ONE PROBLEM WITH THE CAMERA AND IT WAS MY FAULT. I FORGOT TO PUT THE MEMORY CARD BACK INTO IT, WHEN I WAS AT A JOB SITE. LEARNED MY LESSON THAT DAY. I OWN A S602 FUJI FOR MY PERSONAL USE AND AM VERY SATISFIED WITH THE PRODUCT LINE.
On: 2005-12-30
I purchased this camera for a trip to Yellow Stone, Montana and was very happy with the picture quality. It was a wonderful trip and all of the pictures were really great. Unfortunately at a Halloween party I found that the LCD viewfinder was a real problem. I could not see what I was trying to photograph! The LCD viewfinder was basically useless! I simply had to take a best guess at what I was trying to photograph. (The Flash got me the picture, but frustrating to not see what I was capturing)
I had to replace the camera and stuck with Fuji (didnt want to buy a different Mem Card. Bought the A350 because it is much smaller and real lens viewfinder.
Many digital cameras have LCD viewfinders,
DONT DO LCD Viewfinder!!!
On: 2005-09-10
I have been nothing but happy with this camera, and while I realize Im writing a review for a camera that is no longer in production, I just hope that if anyone reads the review, and looks at the photos Ive posted here, that they are encouraged to look at the FujiFilm line of digital cameras.
This is my first digital camera, and I bought it largely based upon three points: 1) Its made by a camera company (rather than, say, a PC manufacturer); 2) It has good (6X) OPTICAL zoom (digital zoom is a marketing tool, not a photography tool, and you will ALWAYS be disappointed with the results. Make sure you camera has a level of OPTICAL zoom that will meet your needs.); and 3) It uses AA batteries, alkaline or rechargeable.
Using those simple guidelines, I got so much more than I bargained for (or deserved, given the paucity of my knowledge of photography). This camera is remarkably easy to use. Point. Focus. Shoot. Thats all it takes to get great shots. The color reproduction is absolutely unparalleled. The vast majority of my photos are close-ups of flowers at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, and I am always completely impressed at the brightness, clarity and nuance of the photos; the camera makes me look like I know what Im doing.
The battery life is very good. On a recent trip to Ireland, with a 512MB xD card, I started with partially used batteries, only had to change them once, and got 600 3 megapixel shots over the course of the week, with sufficient charge left over to copy them to my laptop upon returning home.
The camera isnt speedy, but I knew that going in. And it does like a lot of light, though from what Ive read that is true of all digital cameras of the era. But the camera delivers on everything the manual says it will, and it delivers well. So well in fact, that rather than giving in to my urge to go with a Digital SLR as my next camera, Ive pre-ordered the FujiFilm FinePix S9000 and am anxiously awaiting its arrival!
So if you can find one of these, or the S3100, the S5000, S7000 or S9000, BUY IT. You wont be disappointed.
On: 2005-05-24
I got this camera when my previous one died of simple old age, and its been spectacular. For a bit of background, Im a biology student, and I often have problems with other cameras because my subjects are either far away (on account of being skittish or lethally venomous) or quite small (various and sundry invertebrates).
This camera has been the perfect solution to my troubles. The resolution is great, and it works wonderfully for normal, day-to-day pictures. The macro works wonderfully, and I can get some great, hi-res closeups of some very small organisms and objects. On top of that, the zoom is nothing short of spectacular. Its no 10x, but it gets you *impressively* close to distant objects or animals. I knew it was a 6x when I bought it, but I didnt truly appreciate how good its zoom was until I used it.
I bought a 256 MB card for it too, and have not only never regretted it, Ive more than made my money back compared to what Idve paid for film and developing of a normal, non-digital camera.
Ive had it for about a year, and its never malfunctioned or broken. This is one high-quality item.
On: 2005-03-25
I like many features on this camera and it takes very nice pictures. The camera looks very impressive but falls short on performance.
First you have to click the shutter half way to wait for the picture to completely freeze and focus. Although you thought you may have taken a picturee, not yet.... once the picture unfreezes, then you can press the shutter all the way down to take the picture. If you to not press all the way down, it will reset the focus. WHAT A PAIN! If I do not go through this proceedure, the camera will take the picture faster but the picture will not be in focus.
Next, the battery life! After about 15 to 20 indoor shots I need to replace the 4 AA alkalines. I did get a recharable set and now I can get about almost double the shots but I think this is still not acceptable.
Finally, the display. Nice idea to have an electronic view finder but in low light conditions, I can not see a darn thing! I need to look over the camera to see everyone. Pretty bad idea.
I know it does not sound great but minus these few gripes, for the price of 160 or so, it is not a bad deal. I do have many good pictures with excellent quality once you adjust for the shortfalls. Plus on Ebay you can get xd cards very cheap and you may want to upgrade since 16mb is not nearly enough. Hope this helps.
On: 2005-03-09
I just got today the camera I bought from a seller through amazon. It looks great. Pix are good and all that. HOWEVER... I decided to buy a refurbished item because its a pretty big price difference. BIG mistake... Factory sealed refurbished items from Fuji come wwithout many of the standard accessories. Okay, I really didnt expect to find 4 AA alkaline batteries in the box... but I sure expected to find a lens cap, a strap and an adapter ring, that come standard with a new S3000. No such luck. Now I have to spend about $14 for the lens cap so that the lens doesnt get scratched and dusty when Im not using the camera, plus I dont know how much for the strap, and probably $30+ for the adapter ring if I want to ever get any lens accessories. Adding it all up, it would have been much more worth it to get the camera brand new!
On: 2005-02-01
this is a wonderful camera and is ideal for the novice or experienced photographer. all cameras suck up battery life pretty quickly, and this camera is no exception. however, you can compensate by picking up some rechargable bateries (this camera takes 4 AAs). Picture quality is not professional, but it is pretty good. files do not take up tons of space on your computer. the camera comes with an accessory ring, which enables you to buy a wide-angle or telephoto adapter. i got a fantastic deal on this camera at circuit city (it cost me 150$), and i have taken literally hundreds of photos with it. i love it! i also reccomend picking up a bigger memory card ( ihave a 128 MB card, and it works perfectly; you can delete photos on the camera or computer, so a large xD picture card is not neccecary. this is a fantastic camera at a really good price, so go get it!
On: 2004-12-28
I have just bought one in Circuit City for $150. Try to beat that price!
On: 2004-12-15
I bought this camera about 18 months ago from Amazon. It never give me a clear picture.
On: 2004-10-04
First of all, I am in my mid-fifties and I am not an expert on taking photographs. Most of the pictures I take are of my family and friends.
I purchased the S3000 in July 2004, right before our vacation to
Florida. I was having trouble deciding between purchasing a new 35mm or my first digital camera. After reading reviews on various digitals and talking with a friend who had just purchased the Fugi S3000, I chose the S3000 and I have had no regrets.
The pictures are better than I imagined. They are so clear and detailed that I take photographs of everything from buildings, animals, close-up of flowers, and more. The Fugi S3000 is so easy to use. It is, more or less, a point and shoot camera and the zoom is fantastic.
I only had two minor problems. The first one was the action shots: I rectified my action shots (jet skis, running, swimming) by snapping the picture as soon as I saw the person/object in the LCD monitor. By the time the shutter reacted, I pretty much had a nice centered picture.
Since I am a novice with this camera, the second problem I assumed was my fault. From our hotel room on Cocoa Beach, we could see a night launch. I could not find the launch site nor the satillite after it was launched in my LCD monitor or viewfinder.
I give the Fugi S3000 - 5 stars - for the ease of use, detail of the photographs and the 6x optical zoom.
I am so impressed with this camera that I am buying two more for Christmas presents.
Also look at:
Fugifilm Digital Camera Accessory Kit for A & S Series Cameras
(includes battery charger and batteries - YOU NEED THIS!)
Fugifilm 64MB XD Card
(need a second card)
Fugifilm USB XD Picture Card Reader
(I found this cheaper at Wal-Mart)
On: 2004-09-09
Overall I am very happy with this camera for still shots. What really gripes me is that if you want to take an action shot, you snap the picture, but it doesnt take the picture right away.....you miss the shot. There is like a second delay or so. I do not recommend this camera for action shots.
I have tried to adjust the shutter speed but it doesnt help.....you still have that delay.
On: 2004-09-08
Overall I am very happy with this camera for still shots. What really gripes me is that if you want to take an action shot, you snap the picture, but it doesnt take the picture right away.....you miss the shot. There is like a second delay or so. I do not recommend this camera for action shots.
I have tried to adjust the shutter speed but it doesnt help.....you still have that delay.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-09-01
im in the process of trying to return this camera. This has got to be the worst digi camera available. I havent been able to get one clear picture indoors or outdoors. There is a delay from when you take the picture until its actually taken so youll miss everything. Horrible quality. I cant the get software to work on my mac. All around terrible. Even Fuji cant figure out what the problem is with this horrid camera. Save your money and stay away from this crap.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-09-01
My parents just bought a brand new Fuji S3000. This is the best camera that my parents have. All pictures in the dark or under the sun are awesome and so clear. My parents said that the pictures are clear because the lens are big and great. Everytime they took pictures, the zoom came out super super fast within a second. The flash captures the right moment so the pictures are not blurry at all. They took 200 pictures of our trip to Disney World and we love them all when we viewed them on the computer, so my parents did not have to erase any picture of us. With other camera my parents used to take our pictures a year ago, some pictures were shaking and blurry; we have to delete some pictures in the memory because we couldnt see clearly. This camera is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to all parents and children who must be older than me.
On: 2004-08-22
I am new to digital cameras. I was nervous reading some reviews and almost didnt buy because of alleged software issues. I had none such issues, was as easy or easier to set up than my printer. Nothing was loaded to my registry, USB mass storage device is what it is, and it DOES recognize it as a Fuji fine pix camera. I was able to use it almost out of the box after loading the batteries and reading the quick start menu. And for the price probably the best of all the ones I have researched.
On: 2004-08-10
I faced a big service issue with Fujifilm. I bought this camera in March and now I am facing issue with the Flash. The service engineer tells me that the flash tube and coil are damaged. I have moved to New Delhi recently and these guys tells me that it will take them confirm that whether the camera is under warranty or not as the bill from Amazon.com does not contains a serial number of the camera. Even if they find out that camera is under warranty they will just waive off the service charges and not the parts cost. I would recommend anynody to buy sony products as they are of much better quality though a bit expensive.
On: 2004-07-30
I just recently purchased the S3000, and it is an impressive little camera.
I first used the S3000 at a Pittsburgh Pirate baseball game. The images taken using the "sports" function came out beautifully. Impressive colors, little grain, and any blur to the images were the fault of my own and not the camera.
A few days later, I used the camera at a WWE event and it was there the camera really proved itself--the images of the wrestlers performing moves were incredible.
While the sports function works wonderfully, the camera also takes excellent still life and portrait shots. While the 3.2 Megapixel capability is not the best on the market, still images come out looking quite nicely--better than images captured using an ordinary camera.
The camera itself is extremely user friendly. The enclosed quickguide will have you shooting pictures right out of the box if you so desire. The menus are easily navagated and switching from one mode to another is a piece of cake.
One caveat: although the battery life is long, the viewfinder is also digital instead of a standard viewfinder, so the batteries may not last as long as youd like.
Other than that niggling point, I heartily recommend this camera.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-07-19
I purchased this camera several months ago, and every time I use it Im more and more impressed! The photos are amazing! Im still exploring the different modes (sport,scenic,potrait...). I use rechargeable NiMH batteries and they last a LONG time! I think this camera is a great value for the money. I fought going digital for so long, and now that I own this camera I feel so foolish! The software accompanying the camera is also quite good, although the slideshow function takes a few practice runs. Overall, I think this camera is fabulous, Ive recommended it to everyone (my brother-in-law has already purchased one after seeing the photos I e-mailed him!). He is also now an Amazon customer! Buy this camera, you wont be disappointed! I honestly cannot gush enough over the ease of use, and more importantly, the photo quality.
On: 2004-07-06
Ive had this camera about a year now, and I really like it for the most part. Good pics, good features, and I love the 6X optical (not digital!) zoom. Having had it, Id never buy a camera with a lower power zoom. Its also really hard to beat this camera for the money. Usually when my friends show off their new cameras I see theyve paid more and gotten less, especially in the zoom department.
I use rechargable 2200 MA NIMH batteries and have not experienced any problem with battery life whatsoever, unlike other reviewers. Ive taken a couple hundred shots at a time (mostly non flash, admittedly) without changing batteries. The camera is also well made and sturdy. It took a nasty fall with me near Mount Rainier a while back and sustained very little damage, unlike my knees and elbows.
While the camera is good, it isnt perfect. I have three complaints, as follows. Once you hit the button, this camera takes a really long time to actuate the shutter. If youre looking for a camera to capture fast motion, pass this one by. Often when I was zoomed in on an object moving even at a pretty slow pace, the object would be out of the field of view by the time the picture clicked.
My second (and most serious) complaint is the auto-shutoff feature. The camera loves to shut itself off and retract the lens when youve been idle. And in Fujis book, TWO minutes is idle. This is something Ive not experienced with previous Fujis. When it does turn off, you have turn the dial around two places to the OFF position, wait a second, then click it back two places to ON. The lens will slowly reappear, and you can resume what you were doing. The auto shutoff would be fine if the length of time were adjustable, but it isnt. Two minutes idle and youll be "rebooting". Id much rather change batteries after a couple hours than have to toggle that damn switch all day to keep the camera on. Very annoying.
Finally, Im not thrilled that this camera uses the XD format. While the XD cards are very compact, they are also the most expensive format out there as best I can tell. If you thought Memory Stick was expensive, prepare yourself for XD. It is more expensive than Memory Stick, SD, Smartmedia, and Compact Flash. More expensive by a wide margin, too. Compare prices between a 256 MB XD card and a 256 compact flash, and youll find the xd to be almost exactly twice as expensive. Thats a lot to pay for a smaller form factor card that does exactly the same thing.
In conclusion: Good quality camera with good pics and great zoom, well worth the money if you dont mind the couple of annoyances I mentioned. Hey, Fuji! Kill the Auto Shutoff and youll go to five stars in my book.
On: 2004-07-05
I would like to know if you can help me find other lenss for my s 3000 fugifilm dig. camera? show me pitures and show some prices. thank you .. Ron Decker
On: 2004-07-01
I researched quite a bit before deciding on a digital camera to purchase. After recieving this one, I immediately loved the easy grip, and quick-to-learn controls. The adapter ring is a great idea, as it protects the lense when its telescoped out. The picture quality is great, and I have had no issues with dead pixels. The one thing I am hesitant at all to praise are the displays. They are both digital, and the only issue is color. Of course, they are not high definition, so the quality of the preview isnt that great, but it is very difficult to see if the colors in the shot came out correctly. That being said, this camera exceeded my expectations on every other level. A Great Buy!
On: 2004-06-25
I couldnt believe how clear and sharp the pictures came out from this camera. I took those pictures in a dard dancing club and didnt expect to view the pictures so amazing like that. I really highly recommend this Fuji camera which is my best favorite camera. My friends and family use other brands and I have owned different Fuji models before but I love this Fuji S3000 the most. You would never regret to buy this item. The lens, zoom, light come very fast once you turn it on. It looks professional and price is affordable too. I would buy many of this camera model for my friends birthday gifts if theres any.
On: 2004-06-23
Our first Digital Camera. Instructions to set up and use seems quite easy. Priced at $245.00 seemed reasonable as compared to other sellers. Amazon is great to order from. Received camera in great shape. Maybe more packing would have been appropriate but no damage. Havent had and pictures printed, so cant give any opinion on quality.
Update. I have had 20 pictures printed and each one has been awesome. I used 2 and 3 pixels and both were outstanding.
by: Anonymous On: 2004-06-22
I just bought this camera and I love it!
Plus all the features already mentioned, there is something else people should know: The WEBCAM feature on this camera. When you switch the camera to PC-Mode on the setup menu, you obtain an excelent and very handy high resolution Webcam wich you can use for VideoConferencing with your friends and family. It works with most of videoconference softwares,like Yahoo, MSM messenger, NETmeeting and many more. As soon as you plug your camera in PC-Mode to your computer, it will detect it as a WebCam device. Try it, you will love it!
by: Anonymous On: 2004-06-19
This is a awesome camera... I luv it! It didnt take any time to learn how to use it. The pictures turn out wonderful... I would recommend this camera to anyone. Great Deal!
by: Anonymous On: 2004-06-16
I have owned so many cameras different models for the past 10 years but I love this Fuji S3000 the most. The zoom works very fast, the focus and colors are very sharp. It looks a little bigger than others but its very light and the price is affordable. All my pictures are so clear even its in the dark dancing floor. I have taken so many pictures of my house, car, babies for advertisement and making my website. I do not need to touch up on the pictures because all of them look so unreal. Im so proud to own this Fuji camera. So its highly recommended.
On: 2004-05-24
My husband bought me this camera for Christmas 2003 after I could no longer live with my old Olympus D520 digital camera. Over the years Ive settled on features in digital cameras that work for my needs, and this one meets them all. The breakdown:Pros:
* Sturdy. Early after getting this camera, my cat had a run-in with it where the strap got hooked around his neck, something spooked him and he took off, camera crashing around behind him. Im pleased to say that both cat and camera lived, and neither were damaged in any way. Hats off to Fujifilm for making an indestructable digicam!
* Picture quality is excellent. I need a camera with a hefty optical zoom and this one has it. Recently I was able to capture a photo of my friend recieving her diploma... From high up in the bleachers and over 500 feet away from her! The picture is crystal clear, too!
* Good with all lighting conditions. Daylight, low-light, indoor, outdoor, this camera performs well under all conditions.
* Fast recovery period between snap shots. There is between a 2-3 second recovery period between pictures, which is nice. It insures that youre able to get a series of photos fired off in a quick succession, which is great if youre taking pictures of people in action.
* Easy to transfer photos from the camera to my computer. I use a Mac, and this camera works flawlessly with it. The software is basic... I dont use it for major picture editing (thats what Photoshop is for), but the software package will crop and resize, orient, etc.
* Print quality is excellent. I can upload my photos via the net to my photo processing store and they print them out using a high-quality printer on photo paper for 11 cents a print. The prints from this camera are crystal clear and look indistinguishable from ones taken with a film camera. Cons:
* Size. I thought at first that I wouldnt mind the size of the S3000, but after having had it for several months, Im starting to bring my crappy Olympus with me places where I dont have the space to haul around a clunky camera. Even though its a fabulous point-and-shoot camera that comes through time and time again, its quite a bit bigger than most point-and-shoot digicams which can make it a little awkward to lug around.
* Battery life stinks. The one good thing I can say about my Olympus D520 is that it has great battery life, and this is one area where the S3000 just doesnt impress me. It takes 4 AA batteries and sucks them dry in no time, despite supposedly being more efficient than the previous version. All in all, Id have to say that the pros far outweigh the cons with this camera. If youre looking for a sturdy digicam with tons of optical zoom and great print resolution, you cant go wrong with the A3000!
On: 2004-05-19
I have owned my FinePix S3000 for approximately 4 months now. It has great power management. I have to charge the 4 AA NiMH maybe after 100 flash pictures. The photos color is awsome and the resolution is amazing. I can zoom in at least 150% and the picture still will be perfect when using a photo editor.
On: 2004-04-17
I got this camera for my family vacations and started using it w/o reading the manual. BIG mistake.
1) Flash recharge is a little slow.
2) In order to focus properly when you take a picture with 2 more more people standing side by side you focus on one of them and then center the picture. This wss slightly counter-intuitive.
3) Indoor performance suffers without the use of a flash.
however I love this camera because:
A) It has a fast store time on photos. So outside shots are quicker. (SEE COMMENT ABOVE ABOUT FLASH SHOTS)
B) on my tripod stationary shots are great. even my almost 4 year old can take shots with the tripod.
C) The Zoom is out of sight (no pun intended)
D) The manual apeture modes and closeup modes are superb.
E) The software works fine. As a matter of fact my Dad has a Cannon Elf that drives him nuts and he needed me to help him with it, the Software is so hard to use.
F) you can get additional lenses. Oh the plans!
So in short I love the unit despite its minor issues.
On: 2004-03-15
My kids gave me this camera for Christmas to replace my old digital camera. The pictures are good, and its pretty easy to use, but unless I use a tripod, most of the pictures are blurred. I never had this problem with the old one. AND...after two months of use, the camera no longer connects with the computer. Fuji says its a camera problem, since weve ruled out everything else, and I should mail my camera to them, it will take about a month to repair and return it to me. Not something I would expect from a new camera. Keep looking.
On: 2004-03-04
In my earlier review, I had commented that the aperture priority is not showing much difference.... A series of experiments, gave me the desired results, and thus, full points can be granted for Fuji S 3000.... Its an excellent buy....
On: 2004-02-21
We had been looking for a digital camera in a 200-300 price range. The salesperson sold us on this Fugi. The pictures it takes are WONDERFUL. They are clear, and getting large prints is a breeze. The zoom on this camera is amazing. So easy to use! Definately the best camera for the price. Who cares about not having sound? Get a camcorder for that!
On: 2004-02-16
Ive always been a clutz with new technology. I also believe that if its not broken, dont fix it. I stubbornly held on to 35 mm film camera.
But this camera is easy to use. And this camera made me switch from 35 mm to digital. The pictures Ive taken make me feel like a pro. All my friends have had the greatest comments on my pictures. It has many SLR type features.
The camera is user friendly but make sure you read the owners manual to use the camera to its full potential. Directions are easy to understand. All the software you need is included with the camera. Just down load it into your computer and it will walk you through.
I use Window XP and have not had any conflict between programs. You need a USB Port to view images on your computer.
On: 2004-01-05
This camera takes great pictures, but has one serious problem: it performs lousy indoors. It has major difficulties focusing in low to medium light conditions, so unless your house is exeptionally well lit, this camera will not focuse on the object. It is useless at the parties, museumes, classrooms, etc. Again, if place is very well lit or you use it outdoors, it performs very well. I exchanged it for Sony P72 which like some others has focuse illumination feature and takes crisp pictures indoors. What a relieve!
On: 2004-01-02
This was our first digital camera and we are very pleased with it. The documentation includes a "quick start" page to get you going right away. After reading it and installing the batteries, we were taking very nice pictures in less than an hour. The camera is lightweight and can easily used with one hand. The controls and menus are easy to use and simple to learn and remember. One small complaint regarding the LCD monitor that can be used in place of the viewfinder. The image in the monitor apprears washed out if you are not looking directly into it. This does not affect the photo image and is a very minor annoyance. We have taken indoor pictures in a variety of lighting conditions using the built-in flash and every picture has been great. We also went outside on a sunny day and took pictures of a snowman in a blindingly, white, snow covered, yard and the pictures again turned out great. The zoom options are very nice and easy to use. The autofocus feature works great. Downloading the pictures into the computer is also very easy. The included software installed flawlessly. Then, using the included USB cable, connect the camera to your PCs USB port and turn on the camera. The rest is automatic. The software downloads the pictures from the camera to your computers hard drive. The program also gives you various option for cropping or other tweaks you may wish to make to improve your pictures. This is a great digital camera package for the price. Certainly, you can spend a lot more for a lot more camera, for professional applications. But if you are just getting started in digital photography or are looking for a second, better digital camera, to take family or vacation photos or photos around the house, take a look at the the Fuji S3000.
On: 2003-12-31
Advantages :
Fuji S3000 looks great.. gives good grip, compared to the other cameras in this cadre... Excellent pic quality.. User friendly manual.. moreover, its compact(it looks a bit bulky in the photograph provided)..
Registered some queries on the Fujifilm web-page and they responded the next day itself... Disadvantages : Not much difference in pics taken with aperture setting of f2.4 and f8.2...(difficult to get photos with a bulrred background) No manual focus.. Suggestions: Rechargeable batteries and charger, and a higher Mb storage card should be included in the camera kit, even if the price has to be hiked by a few dollars... :)
On: 2003-12-26
I opened this little baby up on Christmas morning. Much to my surprise, this compact camera can really pack a punch. I took some high quality photos of my Christmas, and had them off to my grandma in less than 20 minutes. I absolutly love the zoom that this camera has as well. You just cant beat this camera. You get an amazing deal for the quality of camera that you get at an affordable price.
On: 2003-12-26
Like several other reviewers, I opened this camera on Christmas morning. Given, there ARE a FEW things on the cam that I havent experimented yet, but what I HAVE used is great! The cvameral offers great motion shots, stills, portrates, night shots, movies. Wish I it came with a case and a bit larger memory card, but overall this is a great camera. If you are taking pics for newsweek or somthing I would trade up a bit, but for the average person this camera will prove much more than you need. OVERALL great deal!
by: Anonymous On: 2003-12-17
I wouldnt pay so much attention to the first persons review seeing as how that person is rating a digital cameras score based on its video functions.So, most of you who are shopping for this camera probably are purchasing it as a first time camera (like I did) or possibly a gift for someone else. Ive been overly impressed with this camera. It has a very nice macro lens (and mode) thats user friendly. I can easily focus on subjects only 2.5" from my lens. Its great for artistic purposes or if you just need to get the camera close to the subject matter. I chose this camera over others because it offered a 6x optical zoom which is easily out of the effective range of the flash. This digital camera (like almost all) depends on the flash to maintain focus for the majority of its images. For in-focus distance images (not scenery shots), say like a graduation, youll need a tripod to obtain images with excellent clarity. Since the flash will be out of range, youll have to turn it off, but the camera needs to be incredibly still in order to obtain perfect images. With that said, the camera can do action shots. Im not too sure why the other person couldnt obtain shots without them being blurred, but I was able to capture images of my friends practicing kickboxing with no motion blur (which even surprised me). Those images were obtained using the flash. Not only that, but Ive taken pictures while driving in my car and I captured an image of a van I was driving by and scenery on the side. Doing 70mph pass the trees on the side of the road and getting almost no motion blur, I have trouble seeing as how the reviewer couldnt get pictures of his children running around. Clarity on images is excellent and grain is almost nonexistent. The camera offers many modes including sports, continuous (two consecutive shots only), night (good night time color, but needs a tripod for sure), landscape (beautiful pictures), portait, and a few others. This is definitely a good starter camera, and like all cameras to effectively utilize all of the options available, you have to just learn how to use the camera for whatever situation needed. My biggest complaint would have to go to the slow focusing/charging modes. It makes it hard to capture moments when youre having to focus the subject first. However, most cameras Ive played with in this price range do not offer much faster, if at all, focus speeds. Its the only camera Ive seen with a 6x optical zoom (which is what you want, no digital zoom) under $300, and it also has an adapter ring if youd ever like to upgrade your range. As far as the software, its not anything spectacular but it worked for me. Also, its easy to use for those not too familiar with computers (slideshows, cd burning, etc.). Im running on Windows 98, and my computer recognized the camera as a massive storage device as well; however, if you follow the installation process correctly, the software should correct that problem (the manual advises not to connect the camera prior to installing the software).
On: 2003-12-17
First, read the manufactures blurb about this camera. Then come back here.Well...sounds pretty good "dont it". And its all they say it is...EXCEPT if your children MOVE (and mine do) the picture is so blurry its useless. SOoooo I read the manual for the THIRD time aaaaaand tried all the "Auto" settings and adjusted for all the lens settings and mixed and matched this set of settings and that set of settings and after each of the set of user friendly setting up of the settings.....It produced much better results in as much as the flash seems to answer the question of blured pictures. This camera is for the begining Digital Photographer. It is NOT your "Point and Shoot" solution. I own an MX-2700 a great little camera for its day (minus the flash)...but side by side (and I whish there were some where on this site to do that) the S3000 is far superior to the hot spot riddled MX-2700 but the 2700 didnt pick up blinking eyes. Fujifilm...back to the drawing board...one...more...time. Oh...and the delay? The pits! Price: Pretty good is shoped out. Software: Fagetaboutdit. ONE GIANT ADD. For the entry level user only. Suggestion: The S3000 was a challange to my time.If youre not into the art of Digital, pay a little more (or less) and move on to another product, Fujifilm or not. I like this battery chomping pixie, now having "mastered" its settings issue... If this is an example of the "Digital Camera" wars you may have to move into either the upper or lower end of the offerings depending on your wants and needs. Addendum: I found this to be a stiking experience of interest.:
Worked great -- for a month, July 7, 2003
Reviewer: Nicolas Martin (see more about me) from Indianapolis, IN United States
The FujiFilm cameras seem like an exceptional value with excellent features, but how reliable is the xD card storage medium? I purchased the 256 MB card and it worked just a few weeks before it began to malfunction. When it was inserted into the Alladin kiosks, now at many stores, it had to be reinserted again and again. Then when the pics are printed they are too dark. Apparently one of the metalic contacts has become damaged. Upon close examination it appears far to easy for this to happen. Given the many removals and insertions that may be required using the xD card it seems less well constructed than rival cards. Sadly, this also impacts the usability of the camera. When I contact Fuji, I find a knee-deep phone menu with plenty of deadends, and the customary "due to unusual call volume ...." message. Ive received no response to the email or voicemail messages Ive left. Id be less likely to buy a FujiFilm digital product after this experience.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-12-05
Ive been waiting for the price of digital cameras to come down before finally taking the plunge. I did it with the Fuji Fine Pix 3000. Very easy to use and moving around the menus and options is a breeze. One of the better features is the 6x Optical Zoom!!! Wouldnt own a digital camera without it!! Okay, so it doesnt have audio with the video. But this was not a factor with me as if I want movies I use a camcorder. I purchased this camera to take photos not movies!!! The software downloaded great and and with ther USB connections, the photos download great to my XP computer. Anyone looking to buy a digital camera should consider this make and model.
On: 2003-12-02
I really am enjoying this camera! Initially I bought a Sony because I already have a Sony camcorder and it seemed reasonable to share the memory card I upgraded between them. I returned the Sony immediately (to Circuit City who does NOT charge a restocking fee if you return with 14 days!) and researched Consumer Reports.
This is the camera I am keeping!
My photography experience consisits of using those disposable 35mm cameras and taking grainy, dark pictures with my camcorder.
I love this camera because it is so much easier to use that the Sony was! Very, very user-friendly menus and functions. Excellent picture quality and excellent 6 x optical zoom. Pictures print beautifully also--even on my crappy Lexmark printer! No problem with any light source--this camera adjusts automatically so I dont feel like an idiot that needs to go to "camera school"!
Im buying a battery recharger and storage case today.The only useless feature I can find is the movie maker.
by: Anonymous On: 2003-11-30
The 6X Optical Zoom is something you wont find on any other camera in this price range. The close range pictures you can get with this camera is also amazing. You can get as close as you want. If you want sound, go buy yourself a camcorder. Great all around camera with great zoom abilities.
On: 2003-11-28
Ive been burned by big brands with poor reliability before, so I chose Fuji after seeing Consumers Union rate Fuji very reliable. Its big and clunky, but we wanted that shape to find it quickly in a cluttered diaper bag.
Right out of the box, if youve ever had a digital camera before, you barely need the instruction book. Its very intuitive. The LCD and viefwinder are bright, sharp, and are things of beauty. The on screen menus are great. The controls and grip are all manageable with one hand, once you learn where they are. The pictures are 3.2 megapixel great. The 6x optical zoom makes it easy to take quality face shots from a distance. Beware ANYBODYS digital zoom - its nonsense - only optical counts.
The software for your PC is so bad that Fuji should have never shipped it. First of all, my Windows XP PC will not see the Finepix as a camera. It sees it as a mass storage device. So, if you are good with geek stuff, you know how to get your pictures to go where you want them, but if you just want it to be easy, you are out of luck. This software precludes this camera from being a gift for your mother. If you manually install the USB driver, Win XP still doesnt see it as a camera. The Finepix Viewer software is just a Fuji branded Internet Explorer. There is also one item of software installed called WINASPI. There is no explanation for what it does, it is installed in your root directory ( a major software no no), it looks like a throwback to Win 3.1 when its being installed, and it gives you messages suffering from translationitis (For to make setup effective, it necessarily will be for to resart your computing system now.)
In calculating the true cost, at a minimum, you will have to get a 64mb xD card, and you will have to get 8 NiMH AA batteries and a charger. The use of AA batteries is a huge plus, so when you are walking around Wallyworld and the batteries go dead, you can just buy 4 AAs, as opposed to cameras with proprietary rechargeables. You will also want some good photo organizing software, and because of the miserable software included, Ive discovered a GREAT program online called Picasa -it is a must have GREAT photo organizer.
So, I like it, Im happy I bought it, the price was good, but its not perfect.
On: 2003-11-10
Bought this camera at a best buy store - Salesman said it was the new improved variety of the older FinePix 3800. I had been planning on buying a 3800 soon, before Christmas - since I was all ready sold on my daughters FinePix 2800, which is a great camera and uses batteries so sparingly (3800 and 2800 are pretty much the same camera but with different pixel densities).However, after I got the S3000 home and shot a few pics, I discovered that this so called IMPROVED version of the 3800 has NO AUDIO mode for the video - whew! what an improvement, silent digital movies. When I returned the 3000 to the store for a refund, I discover that best buy has a 15% restocking fee - cost me $45 to return. Unhappy me. So today I am searching the net for a good buy on the older 3800, which has Audio & Video - and only a 6X zoom, less than the 10X zoom on the S3000. So do you want Audio and Video or 10X zoom?
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