[FPCapone]

I am having a my First Baby in a Week (Girl) and I'm in Desperate need of a Digital Cam that takes Awesome Pictures. I don't want the Camera just for that tho. I love Pictures of Scenery, Lakes, Skie's, Tree's, you know just whatever looks Beautiful to me.

I don't know much about Cameras so thats why I'm here. I currently own a Canon PowerShot A550 but would like something better. Please Help me. My Max is 250.00 and I know thats not much for something good but hopefully it is.


PLEASE HELP

[Soupdragon]

My best guess would be a second hand Nikon D50 if it is SLR stlye photography you are interested in.
For about £300 you could get a used Conan 350D (better I think)
For the main it really dpends on your future aspirations but £250 is not a lot even when looking at high quality compacts!

Good luck.

[Soupdragon]

I forgot to say "Welcome"

I can be so rude at times!

[stepheno]

Hi FPCapone and welcome to Pixalo. Do you want to go down the SLR route and all the paraphernalia that goes with it or are you looking for another good compact/bridge camera?

[FPCapone]

i dont think i can afford SLR so compact would be best for me. plus i want something pocketable.

Thanks but I cant afford those 2 cameras. My money is american also.

[stepheno]

There's too many to choose from but I just picked this Canon from B & H. In that range they all do good cameras - Nikon, Kodak, Sony etc, etc. Why do't you have a browse on B & H and post a few up that you like the look of and ask for opinions?

[Dave]

The Fujifilm F30 is within your price bracket & ultra compact, so good for carrying in your pocket etc. I had one fo the predecessors & was very impressed with it.

6.3 Megapixel Super CCD HR


Fujifilm's 6th generation Super CCD HR image sensor is combined with Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology in the FinePix F30 to provide astounding sensitivity (up to ISO 3200) with high resolution image capture for crisp and vibrant images under just about any lighting condition.
•
3x Fujinon Zoom Lens


The 3x zoom Fujinon lens system, which is similar to the lens systems used widely in professional broadcast TV cameras, provides high quality images with no optical distortions thanks to 2 aspherical elements and a wide aperture of f/2.8. The Camera also has a 6.2x Digital Zoom to get in real tight with a total zoom of 18.6x
•
2.5" LCD Display


With its high resolution (230,000 pixels) and convenient features like Auto Brightness and the anti-glare, low-reflection CV (Clear View) coating, the big 2.5 inch LCD monitor provides comfortable composition and viewing of photos whether in dim interiors or under bright sunlight.
•
Fast Performance


The responsive FinePix F30 is ready when you are with a super-fast start-up time of only 1.4 seconds, a shooting interval of 1.5 seconds and an incredibly fast shutter release time lag at a minimum of 0.01 seconds.
•
Versatile Shooting Modes


From full Auto for quick and easy shooting to Manual for hands-on creativity, just turn the mode dial and Fujifilm makes it easy to take great pictures. With a choice of 15 Scene Positions (including Underwater, Sunset, Snow, Fireworks, Party, Museum, and more), you can quickly select exactly the right setting for every situation. And whether you chose full auto mode, enhanced shutter and aperture priority manual modes or one of 15 pre-programmed scene modes, the F30 fits any ability level, and grows with your skills as a digital photographer.
•
High Sensitivity


Sensitivity in photographs means you get true color, fine detail and clear pictures. The FinePix F30 utilizes Fujifilm's 6th generation Super CCD-HR to capture more light with less electronic noise. Combined with the RP Processor II and an aspherical Fujinon lens system, the FinePix F30 can reach ground-breaking levels of sensitivity, up to ISO 3200 with very low noise. This ultra-high sensitivity means you can capture the perfect picture, even in low light, just as your eye sees it. And all with extremely fast operational and processing speeds so you never miss a shot.
•
Picture Stabilization and Natural Light Mode


The Picture Stabilization mode eliminates blur due to subject movement and camera shake; even in low light backgrounds. Picture Stabilization automates professional photographic techniques (fast shutter with high sensitivity) to beautifully freeze the moment forever in sharp detail, and deliver clear images with true color. Simply select the Picture Stabilization icon on the dial on top of the FinePix F30, and you're ready to shoot. In low-light situations where flash is prohibited or undesirable, you can still take beautiful photos with the "Natural Light" mode.
•
Intelligent Flash (i-Flash) system


Fujifilm's i-Flash system recognizes scene conditions and determines the optimum flash output to give you superb results, and ensures your images are always properly exposed with just the right amount of light. The results are more natural looking subjects and backgrounds that are bright and full of crisp detail, so you capture the picture just the way you see it.
•
High Capacity Battery


Thanks to an extended life Lithium Ion battery, the FinePix F30 delivers an astonishing 500 shots per charge, which means you're always ready for that next photo opportunity. And then simply connect the camera to the AC adapter to recharge and be ready for your next party, wedding, vacation or any other picture-taking occasion.
•
"L" Form Body Design


The FinePix F30 has a super compact, all metal, sleek and stylish Camera body. Its distinctive "L-shaped" rear cover plate provides structural stability and durability, yet it fits easily in your pocket. From the elegant logo design to the simple control layout, the FinePix F30 is designed and engineered for performance and ease of use.


Image Quality
Optics
Focus Control
Exposure Control
Flash
Performance
Memory & Power
Input/Output
Display
Physical

Camera Type
Compact Point-and-shoot Digital Camera

Image Quality
Image Sensor
1/1.7" 6.3 Megapixel Super CCD HR
Effective Resolution
6.1 million pixels
Color Depth
24-Bit RGB
Color Modes
Standard, Chrome, Black & White
Image File Formats
JPEG (Fine, Normal)
Exif 2.2, DCF & DPOF compliant
Recorded Resolution
6M (2848 x 2136)
3:2 (3024 x 2016)
3M (2048 x 1536)
2M (1600 x 1200)
0.3M (640 x 480)
Video Recording
AVI Motion JPEG with monaural sound
640 (640 x 480 @ 30fps)
320 (320 x 240 @ 30 fps)
Clip length limited only by available memory
Audio Recording
WAV format
Up to 30 seconds record time with image

Optics
Lens Type
Fujinon Zoom Lens (6 elements in 5 groups with 2 aspherical elements)
Optical Zoom
3x
Lens Focal Length
8.0mm - 24.0mm (36mm - 108mm equivalent)
Digital Zoom
6.2x
Minimum Focus Distance
2.0" (5cm)
Maximum Aperture
f/2.8-5.0
Optical Image Stabilization
No
Accessory Lens/Filter Mount
No

Focus Control
Focus Type
TTL contrast type AF with Focus Assist Lamp
Focus Modes
Center AF, Multi AF
Focus Range
Normal: 24.0" (60cm) - infinity
Macro: 2.0" (5cm) - 31.2" (80cm) wide

Exposure Control
Sensitivity
Auto
Selectable ISO (100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200)
Shutter Type
Not Specified
Shutter Speed
15 - 1/2000 seconds
Aperture Range
f/2.8-5.0 - f/8.0 (adjustable in 1/3 EV steps)
Exposure Metering
256-zone TTL metering (Multi, Spot, Average)
Exposure Modes
Auto, Programmed AE, Shutter priority AE, Aperture priority AE, Picture Stabilization, Preprogrammed Scene Position (SP)
White Balance Modes
Automatic scene recognition, Preset (Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight, Warm White, Cool White), Incandescent light), Custom
Scene Modes
Natural Light, Natural Light with Flash, Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Underwater, Museum, Party, Flower Close-Up, Text

Flash
Built-in Flash
Yes (Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro)
Effective Flash Range
2.0' (0.6m) - 21.3' (6.5m) wide
External Flash Connection
No
External Flash Control
Not Applicable

Performance
Start-Up Time
1.4 seconds
Shutter Lag
1/100 seconds (with AE/AF locked)
Time Between Shots
1.5 seconds
Burst Capability
Top-3/Final-3: 2.2 fps up to 3 frames
Long-period: 1.5 seconds/frame at 6M (Normal)
Self Timer
10 seconds or 2 seconds
Interval Recording
No
Date & Time Stamp
Yes

Memory & Power
Built-in Memory
10MB
Compatible Memory Cards
xD-Picture Card (up to 1GB)
Recording Capacity
Includes 10MB Built-in Memory

Still Image Capacity
Fine Normal
6M 3 6
3:2 - 6
3M - 13
2M - 17
0.3M - 80

Video Capacity
Video Mode Record Time
640 9 Seconds
320 18 seconds
Battery Type
NP-95 Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery
Power Adapter
AC-5VW AC Power Adapter (included)

Input/Output
Computer Interface
USB 2.0 (high-speed)
Direct Print Capable
Yes (PictBridge)
Remote Control
No
Video Output
Yes (NTSC & PAL)
Web-Cam Capable
No
System & Software Requirements
Windows System

* 200 MHz Pentium Processor (800 MHz Pentium III for Windows XP)
* Windows 98/98SE, Me, 2000, XP
* 256MB RAM (128MB for XP)
* 450MB Hard Drive Space (600MB available during operation)
* Factory installed USB port
* CD-ROM Drive
* 800 x 600 pixels or better Display with 16-bit color or better
* Internet connection to use FinePix Internet Service or mail attachment function

Macintosh System

* PowerPC G3, G4, iMac, iBook
* Mac OS X (10.2.8 - 10.3.9)
* 256MB RAM (256MB or better recommended)
* 400MB Hard Drive Space (600MB available during operation)
* Factory installed USB port
* CD-ROM Drive
* 800 x 600 pixels or better Display with 16-bit color or better
* Internet connection to use FinePix Internet Service or mail attachment function


Display
Viewfinder
No
LCD Display
2.5" TFT Color LCD (230,000 pixels) with Anti-glare/Low reflection coating, and Low Light Gain-up Brightness Mode
Language Options
English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese
Playback Options
Single frame, 9 Multi-frame, Day sorting display, Image rotation, Post shot assist window (3 frames), World Time

Physical
Dimensions (HxWxD)
2.2 x 3.6 x 1.1" (56 x 92 x 28mm)
Weight
5.5 oz. (156g) without battery


•
NP-95 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
•
AC-5VC AC Power Adapter
•
USB Cable
•
A/V Cable
•
Hand Strap
•
Software CD-ROM (FinePixViewer, ImageMixer VCD2 LE for FinePix)
•
User Manual
•
1-Year Fuji U.S.A. Limited Warranty

[stepheno]

You must have been up all night typing that, Dave

[craig60]

Hey Dave. Most reviews for Fuji Finepix F30 Digital Camera are positive. You may want to read the review by DigitalCameraInfo.com which give a bad rating for this product. Just compare what different experts are saying about it.

SmartRatings - Reviews & Ratings for Fuji Finepix F30 Digital Camera