Fujifilm FinePix 2800 Review

The real attraction of the FinePix 2800 Zoom has got to be the big 6X optical zoom lens. With a 35mm equivalent of 38 to 228mm it allows you to get real close to the action at the push of a button. This is a fast F2.8 optic with a responsive and quiet autofocus system.

The AF coverage in normal mode is from 2.6 feet to infinity. In Macro mode the focal length is fixed and the coverage is from 3.9 inches to 2.6 feet. The flash is very useable in macro mode from 11.8 inches to 2.6 feet.

The FinePix 2800 Zoom has a 1.8-inch color LCD but no monochrome data LCD, any setting changes made must be accomplished on the color LCD. A 5x zoom playback (in 1600 x 1200 mode) option lets you scroll around the magnified picture. If used as the viewfinder the refresh rate is near real time.

The eyelevel viewfinder is actually a 0.55-inch color TFT LCD with a magnified eyepiece. It is large but it has a fairly narrow viewing angle. There is no diopter adjustment. The EVF/LCD button lets you quickly switch the output to either the EVF or the color LCD. Framing, previewing, reviewing or menu operations may be performed on either display.

Controls on the back: The 4-way selector lets you navigate menus and make selections, it also serves as the zoom control. The DISP button turns on the LCD display or cycles through the available display options in record modes. In Play mode it toggles you from full screen to thumbnail index mode. The MENU/OK button brings up the menu overlays, the 4-way switch is for navigating and selections are confirmed by pressing the MENU/OK button a second time. The BACK button lets you leave menu selections without making a choice.

On top is the combination Mode Dial and Power switch. There are positions for Auto Record, Play and Movie. The control is well detented to prevent it being turned accidentally.

The FinePix 2800 Zoom has a high-speed USB port for rapid downloading of image data the host computer. There is also a DC INput port for the optional Ac power adapter. There is NO video out so it cannot be hooked up to a TV set.

On top there is the speaker for audio playback and camera sounds.

The built in flash features Auto, Red-Eye, Forced Flash, Suppressed and Slow Sync modes. It has a useable range of about 9.8ft and can work down as close as 11 inches when in Macro mode. To the right of the flash is the camera's microphone.

Image data is stored on 3.3v SmartMedia cards which are inserted and removed from the side compartment. Fuji includes a 16MB SmartMedia card and the FinePix 2800 Zoom can use any size card up to 128MB.

The camera is powered by four AA size batteries, included are a set of alkalines but I strongly recommend you to buy a set (or two) of rechargeable NiMH type batteries and a charger. The camera can be run from an optional AC power adapter or external battery pack.