Look is deceptive (Fujifilm Finepix F480)

Member Name: kamal

Product:	Fujifilm Finepix F480
Date:	22/08/08 (59 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Looks and Style

Disadvantages: Shutter lag, 3 sec delay between shots, poor flash, useless interface, proprietory batteries

I have been happily using my Canon A95 since last 3 years. Then I used my brother's Fuji F480 when my canon batteries were flat during a birthday party. I am not a Fuji fan, but my first digital camera was 1.3 mp fuji axia 100, and quality of fuji axia was quite acceptable. So I thought that this new 8mp F480 should be bit better than this.

To my horror, it is pathetic camera. Someone would buy this only for its deceptive looks and style. Otherwise it is very poor at doing its primary job - Taking pictures effectively.

To start with its strong point. It is very good looking camera with think sleek style. LCD view screen is also very crisp and clear. All the good stuff ends here.

This camera is very slow. It takes 3-4 seconds to save picture in to proprietory memory stick, and then becomes available for next picture. During taking actual shot, the shutter lag time is 1 second, which is horrible. Flash is very weak and focusing is not perfect.

On viewing part, navigation menu is not very user friendly. There is no options for thumbnail page navigation, and all you have to do is press "back" button to browse through all 300-400 pictures one by one. Regarding thumbnail page navigation, on Canon (and other good cameras), you can view 9 thumbnail picture on the screen at a time, thus you can skip through 9 pictures at a time if you are searching through large collection.

Apart from that, it uses properietory rechargable batteries. So if battery is flat, buy single-use camera on the trip. I prefer AA batteries.

I would never touch Fuji, escpecially F series, and wouldn't recommend to anyone.

Summary: Please stay away from this cheap camera

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