 Similar to the Z30, but better for one reason |
| Review Date: May 10, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Yarii, the USA |
I love Fuji cameras - and no, I'm not a Fuji employee, but maybe I should be - I would love an employee discount! This Z37 was a deal I couldn't refuse and I believe this is my 10th Fuji digital camera I've purchased since 2004. I got the purple color and it's beautiful.
I owned the Z30 previously, but at the last minute I decided to gift it to a young relative of mine only because of one thing I disliked about it: On the Z30 the USB plug-in was located INSIDE the camera's battery compartment. I feared the latch would eventually break off since the USB plug, the battery and the memory card were all in the same area.
Instead, the Z37 Fuji has the USB plug on the SIDE of the camera. In addition, this is a multi-use plug. With the Z37 you get an AC adapter cable in addition to the USB cable. The AC adapter charges the battery inside the camera. So unless I'm removing the memory card on this camera, there is no reason to open the battery compartment.
The AC adapter replaces the separate battery charger that comes with the Z30. This also means if your battery runs low, you can use the Z37 with it plugged into an outlet, but of course, this does limit what you can take a picture of, unless it's something near the electric outlet.
The Z37 is slightly thinner than the Z30 but otherwise they appear to be the same. Same LCD size, and the buttons are located in the same configuration. The LCD is big and bright - I have no trouble seeing anything outside in the bright sun. It's tiny and lightweight and easy to carry in either a pocket or small bag - it weighs slightly over 4 ounces.
And since the lens has a cover - and this is the way the camera is powered on/off - by sliding the lens cover open (like the first Fuji digital cameras invented) you almost don't need to buy a separate case....although I do keep mine in a case because I don't like the exterior to get scratched.
Just one complaint with this camera, otherwise it's perfect. There is no good area to hold onto the camera. The entire back is composed of LCD screen and buttons. At least the back area is rubberized so it does help with the grip.
But the pro's way outnumber my single complaint:
>>> Quick response when opening the lens cover to take the first shot
>>> SR Auto - just point and shoot
>>> Takes beautiful pictures
>>> Fast response time after taking a flash picture
>>> Lithium-ion battery - one charge lasts over 200 pictures
>>> Takes good videos - better than my expensive Panasonic Lumix
Note about the videos: You can't use optical zoom once you start filming, but you can set it before. You can use digital zoom after you start filming, but you have to turn it on before-hand in the set-up menu. They aren't HD but they look pretty good.
Note about the SR Auto setting: This setting drains the battery a little quicker, because the lens and sensor is constantly evaluating and focusing whatever you have the camera pointed at - the lens noise is completely normal and nothing to worry about. If you don't want to hear the lens focusing, just set the camera on regular Auto instead (the picture of the camera icon).
In conclusion: This is a good entry-level camera and I recommend it for just about anyone who is looking for an easy to use camera. Even a young kid. And it's built tougher than it appears - since the lens zooms INSIDE the camera body. Case in point: Two days after I received my Z30, it slipped out of my hands and hit the kitchen floor (my condo is built on a slab). I thought the camera was broken, but I turned it back on and was none worse for the wear. Not even a scratch. This Z37 appears to be built just as tough as the Z30 which I dropped.
It comes with just 18 MB of internal memory, so pick up an SD card if you don't already have one.
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Exactly what I paid for, maybe more!
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| Review Date: January 29, 2010 |
| Reviewer: AAP, |
I bought this camera last night. I was in need of one after breaking my third Sony T-series in a row. I just wanted something that could take pictures of decent quality and could record video. I bought it at a military store so it came with a bundle including a memory card, reader and a soft case.
PROs
There's two main things that this camera surprised me on:
- The specs it has for such a small amount ($$$) is surprising. I'm used to paying greater amounts for less with Sony. I'm a big Sony fan. Or was...
- I'm not big on portability as a main sell point, I'll sacrifice space if it pays off with quality and with results. However, this tiny camera fits in the palm of my hand and weighs a very small amount. And was definitely a great addition to the already surprising specifications.
CONs
- Much like the other review that offered a 1 star I too had a problem with the shutter speed and flash delay. Something that is a small inconvenience and/or can be fixed if you go through the options of the camera instead of giving up on it. I changed the settings and it's good now. And by doing so I now know the inner menus of the camera a whole lot better.
- The battery sliding lid seems to be a little too loose for my taste. However, it might be my specific camera and not the model. Just a small incovenience.
OVERALL
Great camera that packs a punch for what you pay. As long as you work on it and try to make it work it will. Good buy!
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Fugi camera
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| Review Date: March 2, 2010 |
| Reviewer: ----Arlene Anderson, eureka, Ca. US |
| I bought this for my grandaughter, this is her first digital camera, she likes it alot, it is easy to use and the pictures print great! |
Very Happy
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| Review Date: March 13, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Terry Mann, Atlanta, Georgia USA |
This is my secod FinePix camera and I really like the Fuji. Recording audio bits with saved photos is a really cool feature. The camera looks great and it's very small, almost too small. The buttons are tiny. That is my only, minor issue with this, otherwise great camera. |
Great Form Factor, poor camera
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| Review Date: December 29, 2009 |
| Reviewer: C. Davis, |
I bought this camera for my wife for Christmas. She wanted a really small, light pocketable camera. Fuji designed a great small chic form factor, but apparently forgot that taking decent pictures was important to people who buy cameras. There were two main issues with this camera--shutter lag and blur.
The shutter lag was horrible, especially with the flash turned on. I know there is a red-eye reduction feature, but no way that I could figure out to turn it off. It was impossible to capture the image you wanted because it would take a picture a second after you push the button.
Almost every picture we took indoors was blurry. If the subject was not standing perfectly still through the horribly long lag, they would be blurry. There was a blur warning on the screen, but the manual did not give any way to correct it.
In short if you are looking for a small light camera, look somewhere else. I took this back and got her a Canon SD 780 IS Digital Elph, and she is much happier with it. It is just as small and can actually be used to take decent pictures in a wide variety of situations.
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