Good...while it lasts...which really isn't long. (Fujifilm Finepix S20 Pro)

Member Name: TheViolinist

Product:	Fujifilm Finepix S20 Pro
Date:	11/01/08 (132 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great image quality, range of features,

Disadvantages: Fatally defective!

While this camera was functional, it provided very high quality images and I was very happy with it.

Being aimed more towards the professional side, the user interface does contain a lot of features and for that reason it is a bit more complicated to use than some of the simpler digital camera varieties available on the market.

Physically, the camera appears to be quite sturdy, but as I have never dropped my camera, I can't confirm its durability for certain. I would recommend taking great care regardless.

The camera stores images on compact flash cards and XD cards which are available relatively inexpensively. However, many of the more modern devices (including my other camera) tend to favor micro SD cards.

The camera takes 4 x AA batteries, but like all digital equipment, specialist rechargeable batteries are required. Standard off-the-shelf non-rechargeable batteries will last no longer than a couple of minutes.

The camera has a relatively good zoom lens which was suitable for all of my needs. Like most digital cameras, this model also features a digital zoom; though in my experience of digital zooms the quality is seriously diminished whilst using them.

Although it's not as portable as some of the more modern digital cameras it is capable of producing some breathtaking images....while it lasts.

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end...

I bought this camera just over two years ago. It received very little use (about 50 uses in total) and was well taken care of. Unfortunately my camera developed a fault in which the view-screen showed nothing but green and purple lines before turning black, and the pictures were very seriously distorted in the same way.

I suspected that this was the same manufacturing defect that was reported for several of their other models which concerned a faulty CCD; I issued a complaint to Fujifilm.

Fujifilm had no interest in the matter because the camera was out of warranty. However, they told me that the same fault has been officially recognized for other models and recalled...but not for mine, so I would have to pay the 99 pounds repair cost if I wanted to ever use my camera again.

I don't know about you, but when I pay three hundred pounds for a camera I expect it to last more than 50 uses.

I can confirm that I will not be purchasing any more products from Fujifilm after this experience.

Being a reputed company, I expected quality from Fujifilm and I was incredibly disappointed.

If you are still considering purchasing this or other Fuji products, I would recommend seeking an extended warranty of around 3 years if possible.

To conclude, the camera was great for a short time, but has now been rendered completely unusable. My recommendation would be to steer clear and to not rely on Fujifilms' reputable history.

Summary: It's a good camera....while it lasts...which isn't very long.

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