Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD 10MP Digital Camera with 15x Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom

I was looking for a "prosumer" priced and sized camera with the following features:1. Uses non-proprietary batteries (this one uses 4 AA batteries)2. Capable of optical zoom during video recording (this camera does that, but see below)3. Capable of digital zoom during video recording (this camera does 5.7x digital zoom - if you turn on the digital zoom feature, you can optically zoom before starting the video record, and then zoom digitally another 5.7x from that point forward - optical zoom does not work during the video if digital zoom is turned on)4. Long zoom (15x - lens range is equivalent to 27.6mm - 414mm on a 35mm camera)5. HD video mode (1280 x 720 videos, also does regular 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 videos).Although this camera does do optical zooming during video recording, there are some downsides to this feature. You can hear the little gear motors running during the zoom (I've posted a YouTube video so you can hear the sound - it's audible but not super loud). The focusing in room lighting at maximum zoom is not very accurate. There is no macro mode during video zooming.The digital image stabilization works well at low zoom, but not as well at high zoom during video recording as it does for still photos (the digital image stabilization works better in stronger light than room lighting, and so this is probably related to the low light focusing problems at high zoom).At 1280 x 720 resolution, each continuous video recording can only last for about 15 minutes (takes up 848MB-884MB with the MP4 compression).As for the rest of the camera:The digital image stabilization works very well for still photos.The mono audio is pretty good, much better than what has been posted about an equivalent series of Panasonic cameras.Like all digicams, this one drains alkaline AA batteries quickly (it comes with a set of four alkaline AAs) - use NimH batteries!The lens comes with a lens cap which is a bit loose. Fortunately there is a strap to attach the cap to the camera. The lens itself does not allow for any lens filter attachments.Manual mode allows for two aperture settings (f3.5-5.4 to f7-10.8 depending on zoom setting) and speeds from 1/1000 sec to 4s. There is a nice histogram and exposure meter that lets you know how the exposure will turn out (although in my camera, the middle of the meter setting was a bit too light).The black plastic body feels a bit cheap and flimsy. Would have liked a sturdier aluminum body.The camera comes from the factory with all the clicks and noises turned on, but you can turn them all off.There is a good macro and super macro mode (focuses down to 1cm from the lens) for still photos. However, macro mode doesn't seem to work during video recording.The flash has to be manually popped open - if it isn't, it won't pop itself open and you won't get any flash. However, it is reasonably powerful, and can light up an entire backyard at night from 15-25 feet away.There's an HDMI plug which I haven't tested yet. The camera body also has a micro USB plug to hook to a standard USB plug to download photos and videos from the camera. This micro USB plug is one step smaller than the mini-USB plug. The cover to these two plugs is rather flimsy.Lots of other features, which I haven't tested yet. I'm sure others will post in more about this cameraAll in all, a nice camera with lots of features.

The Fuji FinePix S2000HD is everything I had hoped for! I was using a Nikon CoolPix S550, which took great still pics, but I couldn't capture my friends surfing. They couldn't take a pic of me surfing with my Nikon at all, which was very disappointing. The problem was we couldn't see our surfing subjects in sunlight without a viewfinder. The Nikon was so slow taking pics that we always missed the action shot & the wait to take the next picture seemed like an eternity. We just couldn't capture surfing pics. I bought the Fugi FinePix S20000HD camera to be able to see my subjects with the view finder, to capture the action quickly & to get crisp pics from a distance. I have to admit I wasn't expecting to much for the price, but the Fuji is awesome!! It has a view finder, but I can see my subjects with either view finder perfectly. It is also so much faster & has so many cool settings. Best of all I am able to capture action with excellent quality. The pics my husband has taken of me are so cool! He captured me surfing & all my crashes with me in mid air, very detailed!! I didn't really need a new camera, but I am so happy I made this purchase because it meets all my expectations. I can now capture pics of my friends surfing that are of the highest quality. You surely can't beat the price for a quality camera like this one! I have to hide it from my husband because he loves it to!

Could not hold camera steady enough to take shot even with stabilizer enabled. Returned this and purchased a Canon SX10 IS which didn't have any problem with stabilization on same shots. Canon does not have HD but I already have a Flip Minio so I didn't need the HD function. Overall the Fuji pictures were good quality as long as you didn't use the zoom feature or shoot close ups that needed stabilization.

I have owned several digicams over the last 9 years. This camera was my first Fuji. I was initially very excited over all it's features but Fuji should be ashamed they released this to the market as is. All the reviews stating is has trouble with autofocusing and with overexposure are 100% correct. If you are lucky 2 out of 10 photos will be more or less in focus. The rest are most likely to be blurry no matter what settings you use on the camera or overexposed. I guess if you were willing to just do manual focus you might have a chance though.The videos are very subpar. I was expecting to be able to hear the zoom motor during movies which you can (very loud and clear) but it was a big surprise to be able to also hear the autofocus itself when you are not zooming going "click, click, click" throughout the movie. Add to this the fact that the movies are as blurry as the pics and you have a dud.Finally, the LCD will inexplicably flicker (go off for a few seconds, come back on, go off for another second, and then come back on). I would be tempted to say mine was defective but I got 2 from Amazon and they both did this. Needless to say I did not keep this camera.So then, why are some people giving this good reviews? I can only conclude that they have never had a digicam before and hence compared to a cheap film camera the pictures look great. However, compared to a decent digital camera they are horrific. The professional sites more or less all recommend you buy something else and I have to agree. I just wish I had looked at their reviews closer before buying this.If you want to see some sample video from this camera go to vimeo.com and search for S2000 HD. I put up an example where you can clearly hear all the noise from the zoom motor and autofocus. Decide for yourself.