Fujifilm FinePix SL1000 Digital Camera - Black (16.2 MP, 50x Optical Zoom) 3.0 inch LCD (discontinued by manufacturer)

I bought this as a replacement for my S1000fd that had served me so well for many years and would have done so for many more had I not dropped it! The replacement needed to have the same utility as the original and needed to be reasonably compact. The SL1000 exceeds expectations on the first requirement but is somewhat (about 1.5X) larger than the S1000fd and thus is right on the edge for being 'compact'.The SL1000 is definitely a bridge camera and has an extraordinary range of functions; many of which I'm sure that I will never use. But if you are after a camera that you can use automatically in 'point-and-shoot' mode but also have an inclination from time-to-time to explore the more advanced and manual features normally reserved for DSLRs, then this should suit your requirements and at a reasonable price for the quality.The pictures are sharp and stunning in auto but can be further enhanced by simply using any of the other modes and adjusting the settings; the results can be pre-screened before button press and thus the ideal picture can be framed.The zoom is excellent but, be warned, zooming in to the full extent will require a tripod to hold the camera steady since image stabilisation doesn’t feature – the same applies to macro shots.I have now had the camera a day and shot over 200 pictures. I’m extremely happy with the results and the ease of use. Do remember to download the full manual since the booklet provided only covers the basics.This is not a compact camera and should be purchased as such. But if you’re after the functionality of a DSLR with a full auto function at an affordable price then you won’t go far wrong with the SL1000.

Being skeptical about buying a DSLR (due to the cost mainly) I decided to try out this bridge camera, and I must confess I was more than impressed. The main feature of course is the unbelievable 50x zoom, which is totally stunning, and will help you take photos you could never have imagined. Photo quality is quite good, although noise does make its way into certain iso settings, but it's not that obvious and you can easily correct this by "playing" with the settings(or lighting, if possible) . The camera focuses really quickly, though in macro mode if the light is low it may have a bit of a difficulty focusing. You can set the shutter and the aperture, or just switch to auto and let the camera decide what's best for it's shot. Generally, the photos in auto mode are very good, unless you want to tweak the settings for a specific shooting. You also get many creative options, like the toy camera effect and the cross screen, among others, which can give nice creative photos without the need of additional editing. Video quality is simply amazing, and luckily the camera keeps its focus(unlike previous Fujifilm models). There is also the option of raw saving, if you have the need for it. The lcd screen is crystal clear and it can tilt so it makes taking low or high photos a piece of cake.My only complaints:-the proximity sensor on the eyepiece is a bit tricky because it can be triggered by your body or hand and the lcd switches off to the eyepiece, which is kind of annoying ( you can select for the lcd to be always on and render the sensor inactive, which is exactly what I did).-the sound of focusing is apparent in videos ,like in previous Fujifilm's models.-Battery drains quickly especially if using the zoom, so you better have a couple of extra batteries at hand.For its features (especially the 50x zoom) and price, this is definitely a bargain. Due to the small amount of noise at certain iso settings I would give this camera 4 stars, but because of the price it is offered and the features it has, I chose to give it 5. Overall I'm very pleased with it and very happy that I bought it!

The camera is a good but comes with its limitations and one or two problems. Firstly the problems. After about five months in I found the battery re-charger failed just before I was due to go on holiday. I took it back to the retailer and they replaced the whole package for me. I then found that the drive motor on the lens of the new camera to be problematic in that it would neither zoom in or out at times. Even when turning the camera off, the lens would often stay extended. Furthermore the camera would ask me to remove the lens cap on occasion despite it not being fitted so another replacement camera was required.So why did I stick with it? Well I found the camera to be a great little unit that produced fantastic results. I've always had an interest in photography but the results this gave just fueled my enthusiasm for it and I found myself continually looking for my next shot. It's extremely easy to use as well. One disappointing thing about the camera is that it has no thread on the end of the lens for filters or a lens hood and as my hobby has progressed, I find myself wishing it had. Obviously it depends on what you want to get out of the camera as to whether or not this is a problem. As bridging cameras go, it's great and what's more I understand you can grab one for about £150 whereas I paid twice that approximately 18-24 months ago.