Fujifilm ZOOM 1300 DATE

Having become quickly disillusioned with the APS format (see my review of the Minolta Vectis 3000), I went on the hunt for a small 35mm camera with a good zoom. What I found with this Zoomdate 1300 is a small camera (will fit in the pocket of my jeans) with an unbelievable zoom!

This camera is perfect for everyday use, and has enough features to ensure that you get the best picture from every situation.

Zoom:
It has a HUGE 4.6x zoom (28-130mm), gets you closer to the action than most other cameras on the market.

Flash:
5 flash modes (auto, red-eye, fill-flash, no flash and night portrait). I like the option to select different flash modes to help me get the best picture. Even though I am no expert photographer, I was able to use the flash modes with confidence and without simlpy relying on the auto-flash (which you can do!).
After you set each flash mode and take a picture the camera will revert back to auto flash which is good if you just want the one picture. Where this camera is better from others I have used is that you can select the flash mode and keep it in that flash mode by holding the select button for 2 seconds, which means you will have the same flash mode for as long as the camera is on - if you turn it off it will revert back to auto mode. So for taking action shots requiring specific flash modes - you have to be prepared!

Focus:
3 focus modes - auto focus, landscape and macro for images at least 40cm away. Pretty much all the focus modes I need as an amateur.

LCD Display:
There is a large lcd display which is back-lit making it easy to choose settings in the dark. The lcd is green when the camera is set to go and red when you are changing the options - making this camera almost foolproof!
The setting options are set out very clearly, and navigating the menu is very simple with arrows on the back of the camera.

Self-timer:
It can be set to take one photo, or more! This means that you can take enough photos to give everyone in the photo a copy, avoiding expensive re-printing.
If even this is too hard then even more usefully a remote control is included, so no more rushing to get into a group shot!

Film Loading:
Loading films couldn't be easier, and to be honest the fact that APS is drop-in-and-go is irrelevant because this is virtually as easy.

Viewfinder:
If you wear glasses, the viewfinder can be adjusted by 1.5 dioptres +/- so you don't have to wear your glasses when taking pics.

Battery Life:
The battery life is impressive, the manual claims it will take 200 exposures, I've got around 250 pictures before having to replace the battery, obviously it depends largely on how much you use the flash.
To buy a replacement battery (type CR2) will set you back around £6-8 depending on where you buy it and which brand you choose. Duracell is £8.

Noise:
Fortunately this camera is quiet when focusing/winding on, so taking pictures is not too obtrusive to others.

Overall Opinion:
I used this camera in New York on a recent trip and was amazed at the clarity of the pictures (I used Fujifilm 400 ISO film). The night portrait was an extremely useful mode. It fires the flash to illuminate the subject (i.e. my friend) before taking the picture - so both my friend and the Times Square 'illuminations' were captured perfectly.
The manual does suggest using a tripod with the night poprtrait mode as the shutter release is slower, so if you move the camera suddenly then the pictures may come out blurry, but as long as you hold the camera fairly steady you shouldn't have any problems.

The only niggle I have with this camera (and it is a tiny, tiny niggle) is that taking pictures quickly one after the other is not possible since the camera takes a few seconds to compose the picture.
Also, saying that it is point and click is slightly untrue - it is point-focus-click, which can be all the difference when trying to catch action shots, i.e. a Pitcher pitching the ball at a baseball game - you have to be ready, finger poised!

It trully is the best compact zoom camera with the best features on the market (I am not an employee of Fujifilm - I swear! I am just totally over-the-moon with this camera!).
If you are an amateur then the auto focus and auto flash will do everything for you. If you are slightly more confident with your picture taking (and this camera is very easy to use) then this has enough extra features to allow you to make the best of your pictures.
I will never go back to APS - EVER!

This camera is undoubtedly top of the range which is reflected in its price of £200 at Dixons and Jessops (both on-line), but I picked this up for £143 (inc. delivery) from www.camera-x-change.co.uk - delivered the very next day with no fuss! (Prices correct as of 22/07/2003).