Fujifilm FinePix SL300 Camera Review: Powerful 30x Optical Zoom
The recent launch of Fujifilm FinePix SL300 has been picked by us lately to review the camera for our readers who are desperate to know whether the device is worth their money or not. So, without wasting time, read the Fujifilm FinePix SL300 camera review to know what this 14 megapixel, 30x optical zoom gadget has to offer to its enthusiasts. The camera is launched with a price tag of Rs. 19,499.
Fujifilm FinePix SL300 Hardware :
The Fujifilm FinePix SL300 camera review aims to provide better image quality and act as a versatile DSLR even after getting a portable, compact character. This camera has got amazing design that can be perfectly accessed and hold in hands. The camera holds a 3-inch bright LCD screen that comes packed with 460,000 dots, giving amazing output to the user. There is also a TTL Hot shoe flash available to improve the images and videos captured. However, not to forget that FinePix SL300 is one of the high performance cameras of Fujifilm that is set for sales on Indian camera market. The best is its high quality 30x optical zoom that when used comes out at a distance of 2 centimeter from the camera. So, you will actually enjoy clicking some distant images with close-up details.
Apart from the Fujinon optical zoom lenses, the camera has received a zoom lever that is placed on the barrel of the lens, giving nice blend to the device. We are pretty impressed by this beautiful look that enhances by the long optical zoom. There is an internal flash added by Fujifilm in its all new SL300 camera. Along with this, there is a hot-shoe provided that can be connected to an external flash. All the buttons can be easily accessible. Settings are easy and manual guide provided lets the users forget about the manual book and read the instructions provided in the camera.
This DSLR-type compact digital camera is aimed to deliver superzoom quality demanded by its enthusiasts. The grip to hold the camera gives good response, but still it is found to be a bit slippery. This new Fujifilm SL300 comes in Black color that looks more appealing.
The camera gets plastic finish with leatherette trim to hold. You will get a shooting mode dial that is large in size and is easily accessible. Appearance-wise, the camera looks a proper bridge camera that keen photographer would never forget to use. However, this camera is more appealing for the beginners and not for the trained photographers. The fancy big zoom in a compact camera is the most hyped and attractive part for the beginners.
The device is light in weight and can be easily handled or used while travelling. The zoom lever can be adjusted easily by your left thumb. The buttons of this camera are very simple to approach than of previous cameras of Fujifilm. At the front is a power switch that provides spring loaded slider and it sometimes responses poorly. Auto focus area and burst shooting buttons are placed on the top of this device. There is a lack of zoom ring that we generally get to see on other high end superzoom cameras.
The camera measures 122 mm wide, 93 mm long, 100 mm deep. The weigh is measured approximately 510 grams with batteries and memory card. Excluding them, the camera weighs approximately 470 grams.
Fujifilm FinePix SL300 Camera Performance :
The shooting mode dial provides various options and the manual PASM modes include auto, custom mode, scene recognition, and scene position; all come under different pre-set modes, video mode and panorama mode. The powerful 30x optical zoom enables the users to click or shoot wildlife and enjoy the level of compression to portraits. Fujifilm has provided two types of image stabilization in this camera. ISO 6400 enables the user to experience faster shutter speeds. There is no manual zoom ring provided. At least, one good thing is that Fujifilm has loaded this camera with 45 incremental steps that are categorized under zoom range.
Standard panoramic mode has been drastically improved. After taking the first picture, the frame gives a yellow colored cross cut that is aligned to frame the picture perfectly for next shot and the camera then automatically takes the next picture. Due to the high resolution 3-inch LCD display, the picture quality comes crisp and well exposed. There is an electronic viewfinder that helps while using the extreme telephoto focal lengths. EVF is quite small and only includes 200,000 dots of resolution.
A playback button is available that once pressed, the camera won’t allow you to zoom in the picture for around 5 seconds. When the zoom is so powerful, Fujifilm gave a good option of a plastic tripod bush which will be of use. Still, we expected that there should be a metal tripod rather than plastic which is not durable.
The focal length is of 4.3 mm to 129 mm and goes equivalent to 24 to 720 mm on 35 mm camera. It has full aperture (F3.1/F8 wide and F5.9/F8/F20 telephoto with ND filter) and the lens constitutes to 11 groups 15 lenses. ISO 64 to 6400 sensitivity can be used where the CCD shift type image stabilization has been provided. If you feel like movie recording then the camera will support you with 1280 by 720 pixels of resolution with monaural sound.
FinePix SL300 Connectivity and Accessories :
At the right hand side of this camera, you will find a mini-HDMI output port that gives quick connecting to a HDTV with the help of a cable. Apart from this, the box includes battery charger BC-85, lithium-ion battery, quick start guide, driver software, and a full manual on the disc. A shoulder strap is also provided to prevent the camera from falling. A lens cap is also provided to cover the lens f the camera when they are not in use. USB-A/V cable, CD-ROM, owner’s manual, lens cap and lens cap cord, and plug adapter are the accessories that come with this bridge compact camera.
Fujifilm FinePix SL300 Battery :
The SL300 houses a lithium-ion NP-85 battery that gives a constant shot of 300 images on auto mode and comes with the box.
Conclusion :
The Fujifilm FinePix SL300 compact bridge camera has the best feature of 30x optical zoom. Apart from this, there are not much things to be hyped on. Its 14 megapixel sensor delivers some good images and videos especially because of the support they get from flash. The Motorola SL300 is a DSLR that certainly fits to the bill if you are looking for a kind high-performance powerful zoom. Picture quality is good if viewed from normal distance, but if zoomed a lot, you will find painting-like image. Colors are recorded very well and the camera gives decent amount of image detail. The camera is very responsive and is called as faster to start up. The camera could sometime show a little shutter lag and the auto focus system sometimes struggles to focus in low light conditions. The camera is ideal for those who seek for DSLR with affordable price and low weight.
Anthony Lobo
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