Fujifilm Finepix S100fs 11.1MP Digital Camera with 14.3x Wide Angle Dual Image Stabilized Optical Zoom

I am cutting and pasting my response to comments I received in my original review of the Fuji Finepix S1000fd (a horrible camera which I returned before I bought the wonderful Fuji Finepix S100fs which I recommend so very highly!) You can probably read my reviews to see how this discussion came about....but I just had to leave my glowing review of the S100fs here! Here goes:

Since writing this review [if you are reading this under the S100fs, my original review was for the S1000fd...it turned out to be an unreliable product which I returned. I researched a while and bought the S100fs. I am clarifying because I realize people mistakenly leave reviews in the wrong places for the wrong products....so you will see I have posted this in the proper place!] after further research, I purchased the Fuji Finepix S100fs, a more costly camera but worth every penny!!! I do read the manuals for equipment that I own. I am convinced that there is a problem with the S1000fd. It's strange that several people have had black pictures (they are not blank black...but almost a blackish version of the subject...the subject can still be distinguished...it's as if there is a blackish filter over the lens). Read the reviews for the S100sf. While I realize it is not in the same price range [as the S1000fd], it is worth it for a camera that will not miss the shot. NOT ONE BLACK PICTURE WITH THE S100fs ON ANY SETTING IN FIVE MONTHS OF USE! It's faster, less noisy, and with the higher zoom lens, I am having lots of fun with the S100fs. There is no reason to keep an unreliable camera. Oh, the brand-new card I had purchased for the S1000fd (Lexar Professional, SD 4GB, 133 x speed), is working just fine in my newer S100fs, so I would not say the card was the problem. The S100fs is a great camera and I recommend it instead of the S1000fd. Spend the extra money. If the S100fs is just unaffordable for you and you need something in the $200 or less price range, find a camera other than the S1000fd. I am a Fuji camera fan as my review stated. We still use our six year old Fuji F601Zoom which still takes great pictures - better than the S1000fd. (My first "nice" camera was a Canon Rebel XS SLR, so I do have a little experience experimenting with shutters, apertures, lenses, filters, and assorted settings. I long ago attended a Nikon photography course in San Diego. I bought several photography books, all which I read because I desired to know how to use my SLR...but to have a camera that in "AUTO", point and shoot, results in random black pictures is a first for me. It's not as if the picture were blurry because I missed, didn't focus first, or there was not enough light. For Pete's sake! Pictures on a beautiful day in Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay golf course turned out this way....and randomly....some were OK. The S1000fd FAILED MISERABLY and it's just too strange, don't you think, to read reviews where others have experienced the same occurrence?). Until I read these other reviews, I did wonder what I was doing wrong and read the manual several times in case I was overlooking something. Believe me, especially now that I've compared the S1000fd, the Panasonic Lumix (my uncle's), the F601Zoom, and my wonderful Fuji Finepix S100fs, THE S1000fd IS UNRELIABLE. More power to you if you are pleased with yours and it is not malfunctioning. I still think it odd that others had the same experience. Now, I just need to post my glowing five-star review of the S100fs under that product's reviews! Since I'll be posting this there, another delight I have with my S100fs is that the lens cap clips on to the threads!!! Hooray! No missing lens cap as commonly occurred with the S1000fd. I also bought some thin threaded filters that will fit on the lens so that the lens cap will still attach securely to the S100fs. I am so pleased with the S100fs. I, like others who have posted here, was tired of carrying around different lenses. I wanted a faster camera with more zoom, but didn't want to spend a lot, thus the trial of the S1000fd. I am so glad I "upgraded" to the S100fs.

Sorry if this is confusing. I first was disappointed with the S1000fd, ended up with this S100fs and cannot say enough good things about my newest camera, this S100fs.

The Fujifilm Finepix S100fs is the camera I have been waiting for. I like the manual zoom, the lens is sharp, the wide angle allows for wide shots and the settings are more than adequate for all types of conditions.

It even works with my gorilla pod!

If you are in the hunt for a great camera, do your research and don't be fooled by reviewers who try to steer you solely to the big names in the camera world. I went back and forth on camera selections for months. Just remember this, the proof is in the pudding. And, after looking at pictures posted on websites by other reviewers on Amazon, I made the plunge. I started shooting pictures with my new camera right out of the box and couldn't be more happier with the S100fs. The lens alone is worth over three hundred dollars. With the rebate, I got it for for five thirty. Already taken over three hundred pics. Now that I have time, I will dig in and learn all this camera has to offer because I am certain I haven't even come close to using all the bells and whistles that this baby offers. Solid Performer. Technological Marvel. Great Price!

I have been very impressed with this camera. While not a professional level camera, it is a great super-zoom that the "normal" person can utilize to get great pictures. The speed, clarity, and low light ability are exceptional. 11 mega-pixel coupled with a 14 times optical zoom you can get a large enough number of pixels on almost anything to give you the picture you want. I also like that the zoom is manual because you don't have to wait for the motor to get you there, thus you never miss the shot while trying to zoom.

Great Camera for a Great Price.
If you're looking for quality, you've come to the right product.
This 11.1 MP digital camera is the best Fujifilm camera yet. You also get a great $300 lens

BUY IT NOW!!!