Fujifilm FinePix S304 > Reviews (14)

Bought mine two years ago and it has proven very reliable. It takes standard batteries which makes it easy to recharge, and helpful if you happen to run out at a critical moment as you can simply purchase another four AA batteries. It does use them up fast, so you are better buying a battery charger and eight rechargable AA batteries to go with it.

It only comes with a 16MB chip as standard, so I would suggest buying a 128MB chip or two if you plan to go on holiday and cannot download them to clear the chip midway through. (we went to Peru and used three 128 chips and sorted through the images every day weeding out the best). And obviously you need to buy a picture card reader for your computer.

Obviously the extra chips, picture card reader and battery charger and rechargable batteries put the cost up a bit and these extras should be figured in when you are comparing. NB if you want to get a case that is extra too, though it is quite robust without one.

I used a point and click camera before and have found the focus and other controls simple to pick up. The instruction manual is quite clear and easy to understand. The hand grip on the right is a bonus, although it is mainly there to support the batteries, it does provide a firm grip where other digital cameras do not. Useful if you have a shaky hand.

It also has a video option, though it only records for one mintue and the image is low res and grainy when you try and look at it on the computer. With the photos themselves you have an option of 03. mega pixels, 1m, 2m, 3mn and 3mf more than enough resolution for an enlargement to A4 if wished without loosing clarity.

For a novice camera you cannot beat it.