PhotographyBLOG Review: Fuji FinePix S7000 Zoom

The Fuji FinePix S7000 Zoom is an updated version of the very popular 3 megapixel FinePix S602 Pro Zoom, featuring a brand new 6 megapixel 4th Generation Super CCD HR sensor. The Fuji FinePix S7000 Zoom is positioned by Fuji as an alternative to an SLR camera and is aimed at both the professional and amateur photographer. In an age when you can buy a 6-megapixel DSLR with a lens or an 8 megapixel digicam for around £800, is the Fuji FinePix S7000 Zoom worth considering? Read my review to find out.

Website: Fuji FinePix S7000 Zoom Review

Published: Tuesday, April 13, 2004

Reader Comments

1. I agree - it's a worthy successor to the well-designed s602 - but I'm disappointed with the downgrade from f/11 to f/8. I actually use f/11 quite a bit for outdoor/daylight photography. If they could integrate a depth-of-field preview, I'd view that as an acceptable compromise.
   
   - A.

   Andrew at 03:25pm on Wednesday, April 14, 2004

2. my beef with the 602 is awfuly slow AF, dreadful shutterlag and distasteful noise in details at anything beyond ISO 160
   But I guess I got spoiled along the way with stuff like D60, 10D, D2H etc
   
   For my type of shooting it is borderline useful but has excellent ergonomics. Probably the best of any camera I ever used.
   Very nice as a backpacking camera when you lack space but need a versatile lens.

   Mad@TT at 06:25pm on Wednesday, April 14, 2004

3. While the review given here by Mark Goldstein is basically sound, I must put my 'two penny worth' in and say that I feel the reviewer is making too much of his personal annoyance of having to manually switch between viewing through the electronic viewfinder or the LCD camera back. I use this camera daily in a professional capacity as having also used the S602 for at least a year or so beforehand (which shares the same characteristic), and I can honestly say that this has never been of the slightest annoyance or inconvenience to me in any way at all. It is a pity that the Mr Goldstein has let a personal and, in my view, petty gripe ruin an otherwise well written review. I would without hesitation recommend the S7000 and S602 to both amateurs and professionals alike.

   Colin Randall at 01:42pm on Saturday, April 24, 2004

4. Colin,
   
   I did say this during my review:
   
   "If it wasn't for the display screen issues that I have outlined above, I would have no hesitation in highly recommending this camera from an ease-of-use point of view. As it stands, however, you may want to try the FinePix S7000 Zoom before you buy to find out if it suits your way of working."
   
   The S7000 Zoom obviously does suit your way of working - for me, however, it didn't, so much so that it became annoying to use. I thought I should point this out to my readers, rather than gloss over what may be an issue for some people.

   Mark Goldstein at 01:47pm on Saturday, April 24, 2004

5. I think Mark Goldstein must have reviewed an early version of the Fuji s7000.
   As on mine I can set the the elf or lcd to either mode.
   I.E. ELF to camera mode & LCD to playback mode or visa versa.
   And the camera remembers the settings
   So it seems that fuji have corrected the problem.

   Steven Coleman at 08:24pm on Sunday, April 25, 2004

6. I've found with the Finepix S7000 that a little daily practice with the control button settings (even with eyes closed) helped me learn them more quickly.
   
   One major thing that seems to be missing is capture software for tethered shooting. Is anyone aware of a (third-party) source for this?
   
   
   

   Craig Milner at 03:38pm on Monday, April 26, 2004

7. I've had my S7000 for about 3 weeks and have been very pleased with it.
   
   I thought this was a fair review of the camera. However, what appears to be the major complaint by the reviewer - ie having to switch between the LCD and viewfinder - is not right. The camera remembers your settings so when I switch to play mode the display switches to the LCD (assuming I was using the LCD the last time I used playback mode.)
   
   Also, the issue of continuous AF noise is only true if the camera is set to continuous auto focus. In the default single autofocus mode you only get the AF noise when the shutter button is depressed. However I do agree that it is noisy!

   Andrew Smith at 03:36pm on Monday, May 03, 2004

8. I was sent an early version of the F7000, which would only accept MicroDrives, so maybe Fuji have rectified the LCD/EVF issue in subsequent cameras. However, I can only review the camera in front of me, and it definitely had that problem.
   
   If Fuji have fixed this issue (as seems to be the case), then it just makes the S7000 an even more attractive option.

   Mark Goldstein at 07:49am on Tuesday, May 04, 2004

9. Very good review, a little harsh on the EVF/LCD point perhaps. A good place to purchase at £339 is 7dayshop.com which makes it a whole lot more attractive.

   Mick Heywood at 06:46pm on Sunday, May 09, 2004

10. Note that the 7DayShop price doesn't include VAT and customs costs, which it may incur as the camera is being imported from the Channel Islands. There is some small-print about this buried on their website.

    Mark Goldstein at 10:08am on Monday, May 10, 2004

11. I would have loved to see some sample of photos with people, portrait, flesh tones etc...
    Not just boring buildings!
    Good work otherwise.
    Samantha.

    Samantha at 09:02am on Wednesday, May 19, 2004

12. Ahh, but boring buildings are always in the same place, so you can compare similar shots between the different cameras that I've reviewed.
    
    And I don't know anyone who would model for me everytime I do a review...

    Mark Goldstein at 09:06am on Wednesday, May 19, 2004

13. I am relatively new to photography, and have only become interested because of the digital element ( ease of use, etc.), and I feel that the likes of Mark, and his fellow reviewers should be commended, as they take the time and trouble to impart information that beginners like myself find extremely useful before parting with their hard-earned cash ! So thanks for a well-written, informative review.

    Neil at 01:47am on Monday, June 07, 2004

14. Thanks Neil - I'm glad you found the review useful

    Mark Goldstein at 05:42pm on Thursday, June 10, 2004

15. Hi, and thanks for what seemd a very thorough and balanced review. I can't say I agreed or disagreed with your conclusions since I haven't tried the camera ...yet... I have ordered one though and expect it to arrive in two days.
    
    I did actually read your review before ordering, but weighed it against other more positive reviews.
    
    I might reveal my stupidity in asking this, but, is there any way you can use a remote control with the S7000. I know a tripod can stop shaking to an extent but don't you think it's much better to eliminate it altogether with a remote button? I ask this because I use a video camera and that came with a remote control which has proven to be very useful...
    
    Gordon

    Gordon at 01:52am on Sunday, June 27, 2004

16. On the question of a remote control - the S7000 can accept any cable release. It also has a self timer that can be set to 2 seconds and this is a good way of eliminating camera shake when using the camera on a tripod.

    Andrew Smith at 08:44am on Sunday, June 27, 2004

17. Hi!
    I can confirm that the S7000 is a fine camera, but...
    
    ... does anyone know of a good way of converting the raw-files (.raf) to something useful while having control of the conversion process?
    
    /Fredrik

    Fredrik Malcus at 12:52pm on Sunday, July 04, 2004

18. try rawgem, my RAW file converter for the Fuji 7000 !
    http://www3.sympatico.ca/pierre.labreche/RawGemPage/RawGem.htm

    pierre labreche at 01:24am on Thursday, July 15, 2004

19. Thanks Pierre! Impressive conversion! /Fredrik

    Fredrik Malcus at 09:35pm on Thursday, July 15, 2004

20. Excellent review and now for me it's a must have I have tried the Canon EOS-300D and encounted problem with the len and it had not as many features of the S7000.

    Ted Jeffery at 10:11pm on Wednesday, July 21, 2004

21. I am shortly going to Africa on safari and looking to buy a good digital camera with powerful zoom. I have been recommended the Fuji s7000 as a camera where picture quality does not substantially decline on full zoom. Am I being correctly advised - what are the alternatives?
    
    Thanks for review - very useful
    
    
    Keith
    

    Keith at 08:40am on Sunday, July 25, 2004

22. You might want to take a look at this thread on the Olympus C-755/745 Ultra Zoom digicams:
    
    http://www.photographyblog.com/comments.php?id=939_0_1_0_C

    Mark Goldstein at 11:41am on Wednesday, July 28, 2004

23. Mark
    
    Thanks - I got there on my own and have bought the Olympus 765UZ
    
    Keith
    

    Keith at 08:31pm on Wednesday, July 28, 2004

24. Hi there
    
    I am toying between an Olympus 765UZ and a Fuji S5000. (I've even thought of hanging on longer to save the extra £100ish for the Fuji S7000)
    
    I normally buy Fuji Digital cameras, so I'm quite well versed in them. I currently use a Fuji S304 & my main use is family snaps and then concerts that I regulary attend in the evening (I'm talking about arena type affairs, where I'm usually a good few hundred feet away from my subject) - Surprisingly the S304 has bode me well in this latter area but I must say am I quite excited at the prospect of a low cost digital camera that has "10X optical zoom lens equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera" (I'm referring to the S5000 here)
    
    Here's what I can achieve with my S304 and I'm a fair distance from the stage mind:
    
    http://www.theeighties.freeserve.co.uk/rockabillyrebel/piccies/
    
    So, what do I do?
    
    Any help/pointers will be greatly appreciated.
    
    Regards
    
    George
    

    George at 11:07pm on Wednesday, July 28, 2004

25. Re: Olymput 765 / Fuji 5000 - perhaps wait till the Fuji 5500/5100(US), with it's 4mp sensor - I expect this will be worth waiting for, plus it should drive down prices of the S5000 and other 10x optical cameras.

    Josh at 08:14am on Thursday, July 29, 2004

26. A camera with a bigger zoom would allow you to focus in on the heads and shoulders of the performers, allowing you get a more varied range of shots. On the downside, because of the increased focal range, you would need to ensure that you use a faster shutter speed to avoid camera shake. That might be difficult in low-light conditions (but not impossible).

    Mark Goldstein at 05:06pm on Thursday, July 29, 2004

27. Thank you for your balanced review. After reading, i decided to purchase the Fuji s7000. I will let you know when i receive it, how i find it as a beginner.
    
    Keep up the good work.
    
    Mark

    mark moore at 10:23pm on Sunday, August 01, 2004

28. Very useful sample photos - I may well buy one of these cameras! Thanks

    ivorf at 11:37pm on Sunday, August 01, 2004

29. With respect, your pictures reveal a somewhat sub-standard camera design. There's marked haloing around outlines and way too excessive noise on sky blues due plainly to the too-high jpg compression levels.
    I'd definitely look elsewhere myself if I were considering a camera in this price range.
    Image quality is the first-and-foremost priority with any camera, and based on this the Fuji is surely only worth 3 stars.

    John Trinder at 06:29pm on Thursday, August 05, 2004

30. Based in part on Mr. Goldstein's review, I went out a purchased the S7000. I am new to digital photography, and consider my self a "hobbyist" photographer. I started with a small 2.1 HP camera, went on to a Kodak DX6430 (which I thoroughly enjoyed) to the S7000. I've had the Fuji several weeks now and have put it through some paces. I love this camera. If I were to complain about anything, it would be the paltry 16 MB card that comes with the camera. Out of the box you can shoot 3 photos, not very good deal! I purchased a 256 MB XD card with the camera on the salesman's advice and I'm happy I did.
    
    The quality of the photos rival any 35mm film pic I've shot. I coupled the S7000 with an Epson Photomate Printer ($199 + $29.99 for a 100 picture pac cartidge) which gives me truly fantastic 4x6 pics with or sans borders. Several close up shots of water lillies and other flowers taken at a local botanical garden, including a nice zoom shot of a butterfly, show remarkable detail and are worthy of A5 size blow-ups, matting and framing. As a matter of fact several friends at work have asked me to do just that with the butterfly shot. Several close portrait shots of friends and family have also been impressive. This is a good, versatile camera just using the "auto" setting.
    
    I've had no problems and have no complaints about the overall function of the camera and I'm sure I'll get more adept at handling the manual settings the more I experiment. I like the option of using auto settings and the ability to graduate to using manual settings in the future. The S7000 has a hotshoe and will also accomodate a remote shutter release. I haven't had any problems with battery drain since I use the LCD minimally. Besides, I carry plenty of rechargeable batteries in my camera bag. I highly recommend the Fuji S7000 as a high quality, easy to use digital camera for those that want more than just a point and shoot camera or for those that want a little more expensive point and shoot camera with plenty of room for growth!

    Tom Thorne at 11:32pm on Tuesday, August 24, 2004

31. GREAT Review and thanks for all that effort. I have three problems with my 7000 and I can not find word one about any of them in any review. One, the manual does not contain an alphabetical index! Two, all flash pix are too warm yielding unnatural, magenta skin tones, and lastly most shots, taken in the Auto mode, are under-exposed by at least one stop......verified by a commercial processor. Fuji service asserts that the camera "meets all factory specifications." Is my camera unique or have others experienced similar problems? Thanks for any suggestions or information.

    Marv at 04:45pm on Monday, September 13, 2004

32. (moved)
    
    A very useful review with good sample photos.
    This camera (FINEPIX S7000) may do as a not-too-expensive interim camera until digital photography ceases to change so rapidly.
    
    Thanks

    Ivor at 01:06pm on Tuesday, December 14, 2004

33. I have owned the camera for about three weeks now and I am very pleased with the image quality. The noise which so many reviewers seem so hung up on is not really visible in prints up to 11" X 14" (the biggest I am likely to print). As for the EVF/LCD shifting, I have used an HP 945 which does this automatically and it is very frustrating for an eyeglass wearer since a slight tilt of the head will make the display go blank, I like the switch on the Fuji.
    I have shot with 35mm SLRs for over 25 years and this camera can equal the quality of my best 35mm work, after all 35mm film has grain that is just as noticeable as the digital noise of this camera.
    Good review, great camera.
    Ira

    Ira at 08:53pm on Friday, February 18, 2005

34. I love your reviews,they are so helpful and informative.I am at present selling most of my slr equipment on ebay to finally turn traitor and go digital(after 40 years!)I have of course,no intention of buying a digital on ebay though.Hence the reason I am trawling through your reviews to try to find a digital that will come close to what my APO lenses achieved.So far the Fuji S7000 leads the field,if you can recommend one to me I will of course listen.I can spend up to about £550,but don`t have to of course!!
    I could not abide pictures with purple edges to them and cannot still understand why people are seemingly happy with that in a photograph.There must be one out there that delivers sharp,aberration free images--or is there not?
    I have accepted the fact that the digital age is here to stay but would rather do without than use a camera that is "rather" good---for a digital!That to me is not an answer in photography,it is either good or bad,regardless of how the image quality was achieved,hopefully of course not having to be achieved at some awesome retail price.As some of my friends photographs I have seen with varying makes of digital camera takes me back to the terrible photographic quality of the 110 cameras.Thanks again for your super reviews.

    Don at 04:51pm on Thursday, March 03, 2005

35. A good camera but let down a little by it having no auto focus assist as on the 5000.
    
    You can use the button on the back to enlarge a section of the subject for fine focusing useing the focus ring but this is of little use in a quick moving situation.
    
    I also found the macro setting and focus to be poor.
    
    I got rid of mine after 7 weeks and got a pentax which I can say I like more.

    Alan Udale at 03:19am on Sunday, March 20, 2005

36. Thanks for an informative review.
    
    I own one of these and can only say have happy I am with the build, quality and features.
    
    This item can now be purchased from the fujifilm website for £245 delivered.
    
    Although refurbed its a bargain & against higher priced similar cameras this stands out.
    
    Thanks again to the reviewer.

    David at 09:51pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2005

37. Can you get a remote control device for a Fuji S 5000 digital camera?

    Alan W. Bohl at 04:56am on Wednesday, June 15, 2005

38. No, I don't think you can.

    Mark Goldstein at 06:38pm on Friday, June 17, 2005

39. I had been using S7000 for a year now, and I took alot of good photos with it.
    
    S7000 is really the best DC in term of price over quality we get. Other DC in the same legion such as Nikon5700, Sony F717/828, Minota A1 and olympus 7070z all about 10%-50% more cost than S7000.

    jerryg at 07:35am on Friday, June 24, 2005

40. Its now 16 months since my last comment on this camera - and despite several thousand shots being taken with it since then it is still going strong! I am a professional photographer and use the Fuji S7000 as a second camera on weddings etc (the prime camera being a Nikon D1), I have to say that quality wise the shots from the Fuji are as good (certainly better colour rendition - black jackets tend to have a reddish cast with the D1) as the Nikon. If I am honest the main reason I do not use the Fuji S7000 as the main camera is more to do with cosmetics than quality, obviously a digital SLR looks better and when clients are paying good money to a photographer they want to see 'what they consider' a professional looking camera being used. I am also still using the old faithfull Fuji S602 Pro, although by todays standards it is a low tech camera, the quality of the output is staggering and having a x synch socket and cable release screw thread more than make up for lack of mega pixels, though saying that I have had several 20"x 16" enlargements printed from files from the S602 (OK so I've used Photoshop interpolation and had the files printed by a professional lab) and from a viewing distance of three feet or over the results are very good. In conclusion all I can say is that I would without hesitation recommend the S7000 (or a second hand S602) to anyone that wants reliability and quality output from a prosumer camera. I have tried the rest but for my money Fuji lead the way in digital.

    Colin Randall at 09:04am on Friday, September 02, 2005

41. ive had the fuji S7000 for a year and have loved it BUT...now I have the dreaded ZOOM ERROR. I know that there have been major prob's in this area with other fuji cameras. Has anyone advice?

    Alison at 01:23am on Wednesday, September 28, 2005

42. I've had my S7000 for a 1.5 years now and am pretty happy with it. I've had great shots as well some that forced me to learn more about using Photoshop, so that's all good. Today's high megapixel cameras are great, but to see what can be done one only needs to view all the photos in this guy's gallery to get an idea of what one can do with the right tools: http://www.photography-on-the.net/gallery/list.php?exhibition=2
    Viewing that got me back into photography after a 10 year hiatus.
    I'm sure any of us could lend Pekka a camera and in a week or so he would show us what it was truly capable of, and we'd need surgery to get our jaws re-attached.
    My S7000 got the Zoom error last weekend and has been fixed by a local shop for $140 Cdn. Not cheap, but I felt I'd rather do that, than trash it. A great feature for me has been digitizing my kodachrome slides with it. I use a light box and practically plant the lens on the slide on super macro, and wow! The quality of what I get that way rivals any film scanning I had paid for previously. Just doing that saved me the cost of the camera.
    Cheers!

    Jay at 07:07am on Saturday, April 08, 2006

43. I bought my s7000 about 18 months ago. Great camera until the "zoom error" this weekend. I am looking for repair center recommendations. Should I go thru Fuji, or some other independent repair shop? If the repair cost is over $150, I will likely go with new camera - a Canon S3.

    Joe Dado at 12:48pm on Monday, September 04, 2006

44. I am glad I find this site. I have a fuji s7000. Quet happy with a camera in my price bracket was a very good choose to buy it. I would like to use a shutter release cable for realy long shot. Isn't it should be an option marked with a "B" as bulb, it is mean a shutter is open long as I control it to be open. I don't find this setting. I need help please.

    Tunde King at 09:02am on Friday, September 29, 2006

45. I have Zoom Error in my Finepix S 7000 .Plz Give Any Solution

    Nishikant at 09:54pm on Saturday, October 14, 2006

46. Hi #41 here. After trying all sorts of tricks as posted on another sight on Fuji cameras, nothing worked with this dreaded 'zoom error'. Fuji denied a problem, and ive since given up. i have such an anger for this company and will NEVER support it again. Good-luck Nishikant, I suspect we are only a few amongst a greater population of unlucky ones.

    alison (aus) at 01:29am on Tuesday, October 24, 2006

47. FinePix S7000 ERROR ZOOM APPERS ON THE SCREEN
    
    Anyone have the slightest CLUE to why this exists and the FIX?????
    Talk to me!!!!

    Francis Whittier at 12:05am on Sunday, October 29, 2006

48. hi. i have finepix s7000.i didnt use last tree month. i was replaced tree new package battery. it can't be on. its of.
    whats happen?

    furkan at 08:48pm on Monday, November 20, 2006

49. Fuji S500 that does not take pictures unless is out of Focus. When you look on the LCD the AF! symbol is indicated. I tried reset, re-focusing by partial by AF assistance light, change locations, get plenty of light conditions, but still taking blurry pictures - before the picture is taken, you noticed the lenses moving trying to focus.
    
    Any suggestions?

    Ozzy Velez at 04:38am on Thursday, November 23, 2006

50. Fuji S7000. Good camera, but developed fault in that it looks like a band of 'noise'? 'wavelength'? across top of image, Ok on lcd display & eyelevel finder, just on image transfered to Pc???

    Bill Kelly at 10:25am on Monday, December 24, 2007

51. i have this camera over 3 years,has almost every thing you want on it,i have been very pleased with it but now i like to move to a real slr.recomended

    john at 01:02pm on Wednesday, April 23, 2008