• 3.2 million pixels

• 1.8-inches amorphous silicon TFT LCD monitor (62,000 pixels)

• 1/2.7-inch CCD Sensor (Number of Total Pixels: 3.34 million pixels)

• Storage media expandable from a standard 16MB(included) to 512MB

• 6x Optical zoom

So, most of you who are shopping for this camera probably are purchasing it as a first time camera (like I did) or possibly a gift for someone else. I've been overly impressed with this camera. It has a very nice macro lens (and mode) that's user friendly. I can easily focus on subjects only 2.5" from my lens. It's great for artistic purposes or if you just need to get the camera close to the subject matter.

I chose this camera over others because it offered a 6x optical zoom which is easily out of the effective range of the flash. This digital camera (like almost all) depends on the flash to maintain focus for the majority of its images. For in-focus distance images (not scenery shots), say like a graduation, you'll need a tripod to obtain images with excellent clarity. Since the flash will be out of range, you'll have to turn it off, but the camera needs to be incredibly still in order to obtain perfect images.

With that said, the camera can do action shots. I'm not too sure why the other person couldn't obtain shots without them being blurred, but I was able to capture images of my friends practicing kickboxing with no motion blur (which even surprised me). Those images were obtained using the flash. Not only that, but I've taken pictures while driving in my car and I captured an image of a van I was driving by and scenery on the side. Doing 70mph pass the trees on the side of the road and getting almost no motion blur, I have trouble seeing as how the reviewer couldn't get pictures of his children running around.

Clarity on images is excellent and grain is almost nonexistent. The camera offers many modes including sports, continuous (two consecutive shots only), night (good night time color, but needs a tripod for sure), landscape (beautiful pictures), portait, and a few others.

This is definitely a good starter camera, and like all cameras to effectively utilize all of the options available, you have to just learn how to use the camera for whatever situation needed. My biggest complaint would have to go to the slow focusing/charging modes. It makes it hard to capture moments when you're having to focus the subject first. However, most cameras I've played with in this price range do not offer much faster, if at all, focus speeds. It's the only camera I've seen with a 6x optical zoom (which is what you want, no digital zoom) under $300, and it also has an adapter ring if you'd ever like to upgrade your range.

As far as the software, it's not anything spectacular but it worked for me. Also, it's easy to use for those not too familiar with computers (slideshows, cd burning, etc.). I'm running on Windows 98, and my computer recognized the camera as a massive storage device as well; however, if you follow the installation process correctly, the software should correct that problem (the manual advises not to connect the camera prior to installing the software).

64 of 69 found the following review helpful:


Good but some flaws  Nov 28, 2003 By Nicholas Namias "fatmanrox"
I've been burned by big brands with poor reliability before, so I chose Fuji after seeing Consumer's Union rate Fuji very reliable. It's big and clunky, but we wanted that shape to find it quickly in a cluttered diaper bag.
Right out of the box, if you've ever had a digital camera before, you barely need the instruction book. It's very intuitive. The LCD and viefwinder are bright, sharp, and are things of beauty. The on screen menus are great. The controls and grip are all manageable with one hand, once you learn where they are. The pictures are 3.2 megapixel great. The 6x optical zoom makes it easy to take quality face shots from a distance. Beware ANYBODY'S digital zoom - it's nonsense - only optical counts.
The software for your PC is so bad that Fuji should have never shipped it. First of all, my Windows XP PC will not see the Finepix as a camera. It sees it as a mass storage device. So, if you are good with geek stuff, you know how to get your pictures to go where you want them, but if you just want it to be easy, you are out of luck. This software precludes this camera from being a gift for your mother. If you manually install the USB driver, Win XP still doesn't see it as a camera. The Finepix Viewer software is just a Fuji branded Internet Explorer. There is also one item of software installed called WINASPI. There is no explanation for what it does, it is installed in your root directory ( a major software no no), it looks like a throwback to Win 3.1 when it's being installed, and it gives you messages suffering from translationitis (For to make setup effective, it necessarily will be for to resart your computing system now.)
In calculating the true cost, at a minimum, you will have to get a 64mb xD card, and you will have to get 8 NiMH AA batteries and a charger. The use of AA batteries is a huge plus, so when you are walking around Wallyworld and the batteries go dead, you can just buy 4 AAs, as opposed to cameras with proprietary rechargeables. You will also want some good photo organizing software, and because of the miserable software included, I've discovered a GREAT program online called Picasa -it is a must have GREAT photo organizer.
So, I like it, I'm happy I bought it, the price was good, but it's not perfect.

27 of 27 found the following review helpful:


Nice Camera, Easy To Use - Worth the Extra Money !!  Jan 02, 2004
This was our first digital camera and we are very pleased with it. The documentation includes a "quick start" page to get you going right away. After reading it and installing the batteries, we were taking very nice pictures in less than an hour. The camera is lightweight and can easily used with one hand. The controls and menus are easy to use and simple to learn and remember. One small complaint regarding the LCD monitor that can be used in place of the viewfinder. The image in the monitor apprears washed out if you are not looking directly into it. This does not affect the photo image and is a very minor annoyance.

We have taken indoor pictures in a variety of lighting conditions using the built-in flash and every picture has been great. We also went outside on a sunny day and took pictures of a snowman in a blindingly, white, snow covered, yard and the pictures again turned out great. The zoom options are very nice and easy to use. The autofocus feature works great.

Downloading the pictures into the computer is also very easy. The included software installed flawlessly. Then, using the included USB cable, connect the camera to your PCs USB port and turn on the camera. The rest is automatic. The software downloads the pictures from the camera to your computer's hard drive. The program also gives you various option for cropping or other tweaks you may wish to make to improve your pictures.

This is a great digital camera package for the price. Certainly, you can spend a lot more for a lot more camera, for professional applications. But if you are just getting started in digital photography or are looking for a second, better digital camera, to take family or vacation photos or photos around the house, take a look at the the Fuji S3000.

26 of 27 found the following review helpful:


Excellent for a novice!  Dec 01, 2003 By K. J Ward "daycarepro"
I really am enjoying this camera! Initially I bought a Sony because I already have a Sony camcorder and it seemed reasonable to share the memory card I upgraded between them. I returned the Sony immediately (to Circuit City who does NOT charge a restocking fee if you return with 14 days!) and researched Consumer Reports.
This is the camera I am keeping!
My photography experience consisits of using those disposable 35mm cameras and taking grainy, dark pictures with my camcorder.
I love this camera because it is so much easier to use that the Sony was! Very, very user-friendly menus and functions. Excellent picture quality and excellent 6 x optical zoom. Pictures print beautifully also--even on my crappy Lexmark printer! No problem with any light source--this camera adjusts automatically so I don't feel like an idiot that needs to go to "camera school"!
I'm buying a battery recharger and storage case today.

The only useless feature I can find is the movie maker.

19 of 19 found the following review helpful:


Very Nice Camera  Dec 05, 2003
I've been waiting for the price of digital cameras to come down before finally taking the plunge. I did it with the Fuji Fine Pix 3000. Very easy to use and moving around the menus and options is a breeze. One of the better features is the 6x Optical Zoom!!! Wouldn't own a digital camera without it!! Okay, so it doesn't have audio with the video. But this was not a factor with me as if I want movies I use a camcorder. I purchased this camera to take photos not movies!!! The software downloaded great and and with ther USB connections, the photos download great to my XP computer. Anyone looking to buy a digital camera should consider this make and model.

See all 64 customer reviews on Amazon.com