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Advanced amateur photographers interested in an affordable, step-up digital camera will welcome the introduction of the seven-MegaPixel, long zoom, SLR-styled FinePix S700, announced today by FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. FinePix S700

Bottom line - Like the A500, I have mixed feelings about Fujifilm’s FinePix A700. While it does produce nice photos, the sluggish shooting performance, poor LCD display, and disappointing movie mode makes it difficult for us to recommend this model. At US$199, I feel you could find a much better model for the same price or less, with greater performance and versatility. I suggest taking a look at various other entry level models, like Sony’s 7-megapixel Cyber-Shot DSC-W35. 

The S9600 offers only a few minor improvements to what was already an outstanding enthusiast’s camera. If you’ve already got an S9500 it’s probably not worth upgrading, but if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to a digital SLR, or a second camera for when you don’t want to cart your whole kit around, the S9600 is the best choice on the market.

The S6000fd is a very capable prosumer digicam. With its 6.3-megapixel imager, 28-300mm mechanically controlled zoom lens, extensive exposure and in-camera processing controls, automatic and advanced shooting modes, there’s little that you can’t do with this camera. And if you’re looking for a digicam that can also capture high quality video, you’ll enjoy the S6000fd’s VGA resolution 30fps movies—they’re gorgeous, and you can zoom while recording! With an MSRP of $499 and a street price of under $400, the S6000fd is also a terrific value. 

The Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd is a rather strange beast which ultimately doesn’t beat either the ultra-zoom bridge-style camera competition, or the entry-level DSLRs, but still manages to be an enjoyable camera to use. Fujifilm are making a big song and dance about the Face Detection feature, even appending the acronym “fd” to the model name. It’s an effective addition, making it easier for the beginner to achieve better portrait shots. 

The Fujifilm Finepix F31fd is an incremental upgrade of what is already a great camera, the Finepix F30, adding just a few new features and quite a significant increase in price. Face Detection is the main addition, making it easier for the beginner to achieve better portrait shots. It works well in the right situations and is also quick, something that other competitors system’s struggle with.