The greatest features I found are the choice of RAW mode exposures and the use of either Compact Flash (Type 1 or 2) or xD picture cards (up to 1Gb) the xD's are about as small and compact as you can get in terms of media and are extremely reliable. Although you will not be able to record video with the larger and newer 1 Gb xD-M cards, you can utilize the full capacity for still images however. I still believe if you want to shoot video, buy a video camera. This is a very capable still image camera.Shutter lag is virtually non-existent and an optional sound-on setting allows you to hear an audible click if you prefer. Very bright maximum f2.8 aperature makes focusing on objects through the lens a breeze. (See my note about manual focus in weaknesses). Noise at the ISO 800 setting is minimal at worst but only capable of smaller file sizes (1, 2, or 3Mpx) and yet the slowest ISO setting is only 200.

Non-standard filter sizes 55mm which no one else uses. Adapters required for the more common 58mm or 62mm in step-down adapters. Don't buy a supplemental wide angle lens. The gains take this down to a 28mm equivalent and vignetting is extremely easy to do. Manual focus seems to be very difficult for this camera as well. The sensors still attempt to focus on a particular object however manually and I've reverted to using mine in the auto focus mode and locking focus down by holding the shutter release half-way or holding down the A/E Exposure lock button. Let go of it and you lose the lock! I might have chosen to select this mode or turn it off by depressing the button rather than having to hold it in! A camera with RAW image mode, USB 2.0 transfer support, and the capability for such sophisticated exposures, you would think the camera would also have a flash synch PC mount, rather than just a hot shoe for on camera flash. Whatever you do don't rely on the built-in flash, it's poor at best.

Having been reared in the Fujifilm school of digital photography this is my third and probably not the last point and shoot I'll use. I preceeded this with the Fujifilm 6900Z and currently own to Fuji S2 Pro's (got a lot of Nikon lenses). Although styled after a true digital SLR there is no interchangability of the lens. However you are rewarded with the equivalent of about a 35mm through 210mm zoom lens. Preset modes work very well and offer the least fussing and fooling around the camera. I tend to prefer aperature priority or full manual modes when it comes to choosing exposure modes. Shutter lag is superb on this model an almost instantaneous and audible "click" if you want it. It is hard to equivocate the aperatures on a digital camera with film based systems. In this case the smallest f/stop is f8. Which would be the equivalaent of about f22 to f32 with traditional systems.

Similar Products Used:

Fujifilm 6900Z
Fuji S2 Pro

Great image maker. Easy to use. Manual controls, though limited. Feels good when handled, feels more like a small DSLR than a point and shoot. Pretty good battery life. Uses AA's which I think is great. Cheap and easy to find and replace.

Limited ISO settings. Shutter lag. Slow focus. Slow start up time.

I got this camera at a steal, so I took it. I only use it when I do not want to lug other camera equipment around or for macro stuff. It works well and takes great pictures. It is easy to use and has a limited manual mode along with aperture, shutter priorty mode. If you are new to photography it is a great little camera to get your feet wet with, after you see the pictures you will want more, It is a teaser. The pictures are great enough to make you relize the potential of digital images. The shutter lag can be bothersome as well as startup time. You are not going to be using this for sports, but it is a point and shoot. It will also take a CF or XD cards which is great. The macro mode performs great and the camera is small enough to really let you get in close with out trying to balance the weight of a heavier camera. I find like most all cameras the auto modes to be average in performance and fairly useless. Using this camera in manual mode can be fun but some of the functions can be a little awkward for bigger hands. The camera is a great dela for most prices I see it going for now.

If you are thinking about going digital and want soemthing to test drive this would be a great choice. It will perform well and get you great images. This camera is one of the reaons I went with the S3 even though It also has some issues with speed and write time along with its long image preivew function. The colors it produces are great and I when I do use it I still have fun with it. The so called 12mp (interploted) option, never really found it to be any better than the 6 setting. The zoom is ok but the S5000, 5100 is better. The S500 is also a pretty good little camera. I obtained the add on zoom lens, not to impressed. The wide angle add on wotked pretty good sometimes. These were given to me so I can not really knock them, if you can get them cheap they are ok to have to mess around with.

The S7000 is a great little camera. If you are new to photography or digital I would recomend it. If you are new to digital and an experinced photographer and want to go digital look at the D50 you will probably like it better because of the additional control you will have.

Similar Products Used:

I have not used any other point and shoots. I currently use the S3 and D200.

Versatility! There is hardly anything that I can't do with this camera.

Battery indicator. The indicator comes on shortly before the battery runs out of juice, wish there were some indication earlier as to charge level. However, I've pretty much cured this weekness by carrying 3 additional sets of rechargeable batteries.

I've grown to love this camera. It is easy to use, very versatile, has a strong body, fits my hands great, and takes great photos. I can't believe how little I paid for this camera, given that it is such a useful piece of equipment. It takes great pictures, can be used manually or on automatic, has adjustments for ISO up to 800 (which I've found great in low light conditions), has a hotshoe that actually works with my 20+ year old strobe. I have purchased the telephoto lens for it, but have hardly had the need for it. I do use the adaptor ring for my skylight filter though. I bought a 2 GB Microdrive with the camera, it has really spoiled me. I'm taking pictures left and right, then when I get home I can edit out the bad shots. I've yet to fill up this card, I've used it for two weeks in Vietnam and again in Thailand. I wish that there was an underwater case for this camera so I could use it while scubadiving.

Customer Service

I've never had a problem with this camera.

Similar Products Used:

My first digital camera.

Good shape but that's not what professionals are searching for.

Bad and disappointing pictures quality.

Being a previous owner of an S602 fuji, I'm really disappointed with the image quality produced with the S7000 and I'm really glad that I still own my S602 cause I'm planning to sell the other one. They all say that 6 MP pictures could be displayed with noise on some monitors that's why you should print them to be able for evaluation. But in fact at all the S7000 resolutions you can clearly see the unexpected big amount of produced noise. This camera can be replaced by the fuji A201 camera which is a pocket camera for beginners.

Customer Service

They don't exist for you when you really need their help.