Overview
The Fuji Finepix S1800 has 12 megapixels and an 18x optical zoom lens. The lens has wide angle capabilities. The big attraction of this camera is the price. It is hard to beat if you are looking for a digital camera with this much zoom power.
In terms of features the Finepix S1800 has manual exposure controls and High Definition movies. As you would expect with a camera with this length of lens image stabilisation is also available. There is also an electronic viewfinder if you prefer to use one for composing photos.
Picture quality is good without matching up to the better cameras in this category. That is fair enough taking the price into account.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
12
18x
3 inches
109.2 x 73.6 x 81.3mm
337g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
5cm
Yes
Yes
AA
SD / SDHC
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
Outdoor Scenic Shots in Good Light
The second test in particular demonstrates that this camera is capable of producing some very strong colours. That is a very deep blue sky. Where this camera falls a little short is pulling out definition from the lightest and darkest areas of a scene. How much of a problem this is to you will depend partly on the size of any prints you are likely to make. It is only when you start to really increase the print size that this issue is likely to become noticeable.
Looking at the sharpness of the shots the Finepix S1800 does well for a camera with a wide angle lens, especially when the lens is zoomed out. Cameras with physically larger lenses like this one tend to offer a little extra picture quality.
Portraits
I recently reviewed another camera in this series and I noticed a tendency to produce very pink skin tones. This issue is not a problem with the Finepix S1800.
Light from the flash is quite subtle and does not overpower the subject. As I have seen with other Fuji digital cameras there is a slight colour caste to both my indoor shots with a very pale green tinge around the hair.
With flash switched off some of the clarity disappears as like many other digital cameras the Finepix S1800 struggles to bring enough light in.
Macro, Colours and Noise
I am very pleased with the definition showing in the macro shot. The Finepix S1800 has a couple of advantages in this area. To start with the larger lens is easier to design for close up photography. The second is that the matt black finish ensures there is no reflection of the camera appearing on the watch face. There is a touch of purple fringing though and the artificial lighting generates a slight purple colour caste too.
As mentioned above the Finepix S1800 can produce some very strong colours. How you like colours to look is a matter of personal taste, but this camera managed to produce the strongest colours out of the batch of digital cameras I tested alongside it.
Noise is unlikely to be a major issue.
Summary
Picture quality is in line with my expectations. Packing in the features and keeping the price down it is understandable that picture quality is a shade below the best digital cameras in this category.
Style
Fuji have based the Finepix S1800 on a Digital SLR. It is available in black.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
Single Shot With Flash
Five Shots With Flash
Turn on Time
0.43 seconds
12.59 seconds
0.49 seconds
15.32 seconds
4.93 seconds
Ease of Use
As you would expect with manual controls on offer it will take a little time to fully understand how the camera operates.
Points I Like
High Definition movies - Cheaper Price Tag
Where it Could Improve
Turn on times
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
Top Rated Cameras in this Category
Panasonic DMC FZ100 Rating 87/100
The Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ100 is an outstanding digital camera. It offers plenty of shooting options for both stills and videos and is one of the most powerful digital cameras you will find. The combination of picture quality and features is very hard to beat. The specification includes 14 megapixels and a 24x zoom lens. Recommended.
Read Review: Panasonic DMC FZ100 Review
Panasonic DMC FZ45 Rating 87/100
The Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ45 has a lot going for it. I thought picture quality compared very well against digital cameras with a similar specification. There is a wide range of features to get to grips with too. In my view this is one of the best super zoom digital cameras and offers good value for money.
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Fuji Finepix HS10 Rating 87/100
This is a high class digital camera. If you are looking for ultimate zoom power it is very hard to beat. Picture quality is up there with the best and there is a great range of features on offer. I enjoyed using the twisting lens barrel to zoom in and out.
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Related Pages
Fuji Finepix S1800 Review Fuji Finepix S1800 Specification Fuji Finepix S1800 Sample Images Fuji Finepix S1800 Features
Review Date
June 2010
