• Good handling
• Average features
• Good image quality

Photo: Fujifilm

The Fujifilm FinePix S1800 is a relatively new superzoom camera which boasts a 12 MP camera sensor and an 18x optical zoom lens, providing users with DSLR camera-like experience and performance at a fraction of the cost. It’s a good choice for any novice photographers looking for a solid and powerful digital camera.

Good handling

The Fujifilm FinePix S1800 is a well built bridge camera succeeding the S1500 that looks like a DSLR camera. The digital camera is designed well, and has a good weight to it, without being too heavy. Fuji have added a rather large handgrip to the S1800, making it comfortable and easy to use. The shutter release is also well positioned and ergonomically placed on the top plate of the camera, making shooting with the Fujifilm camera a breeze.

The front of the camera is mostly dominated by the superzoom lens, which remains dominant on the camera even when the lens is retracted. On the back of the camera we find an electronic viewfinder and a 3-inch LCD screen, together with the device’s controls. The controls are relatively easy to use for someone with small hands, though larger handed individuals may find the controls rather cluttered and difficult to use at times.

Average features

When it comes to features, the Fujifilm FinePix S1800 comes with a 12.2 effective megapixel sensor and an 18x optical zoom lens with an astounding focal range of 28-504mm. Fuji has also fitted a fully manual mode to the digital camera for the more advanced photographer who wants more control. The S1800 comes with an AF mode with tracking feature and Fuji has also added Automatic Scene Recognition. The bridge camera comes with an ISO sensitivity range of ISO 64 up to ISO 1600. In keeping images stable and shake free, the S1800 also comes with Dual Image Stabilisation. Fuji has added video capture at 720p at 30fps and high speed still image shooting of 20 frames at 8fps as an added bonus for users.

Good image quality

The Fujifilm FinePix S1800 produces images of good quality. Noise is kept under controls, with images showing significant softening at ISO 800 and above. The 12-megapixel sensor produces sharp images and the Macro performance is also stellar, letting users focus on objects as close as 2cm away. The superzoom camera does, however, experience some distortion at a focal length of 28mm, but the bridge camera works well enough in low light conditions and at night with an eight second maximum shutter speed. The Panorama mode also works well, with the device flawlessly stitching images together for a quality panoramic image.

The Fujifilm FinePix S1800 is one of the cheapest superzoom cameras on the market, at £149. It’s good enough to take on the higher priced and larger Fujifilm FinePix S2500, and also provides users with a satisfactory performance in terms of value for money.

Fujifilm FinePix S1800 Price

Fujifilm FinePix S1800

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Video Review

Description: (1 of 3) Billy and Greg (the Fuji Guys) unbox Fujifilm's FinePix S1800 digital camera and show you exactly what you get when you buy the camera. For more information visit www.fujifilm.ca Follow the Fuji Guys on Twitter www.twitter.com

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