Fujifilm FinePix S2550HD Review

Fixed lens cameras with large zoom lenses often suffer from performance issues and spotty photography results. However, my Fujifilm FinePix S2550HD review shows that the company seems to have found a way to overcome those problems with an OK sub-$250 camera.

The overall image quality with the S2550HD is a little shaky, but, compared to other fixed-lens cameras in this price range, the S2550HD does an decent job. However, it has enough good features -- including an 18X optical zoom lens -- that it remains a good value, despite some drawbacks. If you can find this model at around $200, you should consider it.

Image Quality

The overall image quality and image sharpness with the FinePix S2550HD is not overly impressive. You'll notice some image softness, especially when the 18X optical zoom lens is fully extended. However, the S2550HD's image quality is average for a camera with a $249.99 MSRP.

I liked how the camera allowed you to shoot at varying image qualities at any of three ratios -- 3:2, 4:3, and 16:9.

The S2550HD's macro and super macro modes work extremely well, even in low light. Just make sure the camera is very steady, as camera shake seems to be a problem at times in either macro mode.

The S2550HD can shoot in black and white, but it does not shoot in sepia.

Performance

Startup times are a little slow with this camera, and shutter lag can be a slight problem with photos taken in low light.

The LCD was a bit of a disappointment. It seems to have quite a bit of noise at times, and it struggles to keep up with the image as you move the camera, which can be a problem when you're shooting video.

The S2550HD makes use of a manually controlled popup flash directly above the fixed lens, and the flash works very well. The color accuracy and overall exposure of indoor flash photos in the S2550HD is among the best I've seen in a fixed-lens camera. It would be nice if the flash popped up automatically whenever the flash was needed, though.

Design

You'll find a pretty standard design with the S2550HD, as it looks like most fixed lens cameras. It looks like a small DSLR camera, but it doesn't offer interchangeable lenses, and it's available only in black.

Fujifilm included an EVF with the S2550HD, allowing you to frame your photos with the viewfinder or the 3.0-inch LCD. Glare makes the LCD is really difficult to see in bright sunlight, so you'll want to use the EVF. The viewfinder seems a little small, so you may want to try out this model before you buy it. Still, it's nice to have a viewfinder in a camera in this price range.

The S2550HD includes a large handgrip for your right hand, which I thought was comfortable to use. Again, I'd suggest trying it for yourself before you buy, however. The S2550HD's four AA batteries fit inside the handgrip, which adds a bit of weight to the right side of the camera, making it almost impossible to shoot one-handed.

Finally, Fujifilm made the S2550HD pretty easy to use. For example, as you turn the mode dial, brief explanations of each function appear on the screen. Additionally, the camera has a dedicated "F" button, which gives you quick access to several important settings, such as ISO and image size.

The S2550HD's buttons and dials are well placed, making it easy to access the camera's various settings. The camera seems to be a pretty sturdy model, which is a good feature for a fixed lens camera in this price range.

There are higher-quality fixed lens cameras and fixed lens models with larger zoom lenses in the market, but they cannot match the price range of the S2550HD, making this camera a pretty good value.