Fujifilm FinePix S1800 12.2 MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-Inch LCD

Update:I have had my S1800 for over 6 months now. I was very impressed with my initial pictures taken at Letchworth State Park last Autumn and I wanted to update the review after some real experience with it. I am not a pro but I do use this professionally (I am a Realtor). I had several years experience with a 6MP Fuji P&S and that was not an easy decision since I am from the home of Kodak. I needed a couple of features which that did not have, namely a through the lens viewer and a wider angle lens capability. Both features work great. The wide view is not so wide as to cause distortion and the lens capability allows me to take better shots without dealing with glare on the ample back screen.As I learn more about photograghy I realize that there are other features I would like to explore but the bottom line is those require a full on DSLR camera. This has more to do with special flash functions than higher quality pictures. If you are looking for a P&S camera that has high quality picture quality as well as a whole host of special features, this is it at a modest price. I am learning about bracketing and HDR- if you have no idea what I am talking about then you probably don't need to spend one penny more for another camera.I had a few issues which were from unfamiliarity. I am not impressed with the manual (online), however my latest issue (it stopped taking pictures which is unconvenient at least) was resolved very quickly by Fuji. (Tip: 1-800-800-3854) If something odd like that happens, try this: Menu; Setup; Reset; OK.If need be I may update this again.Original:I just received this a few days ago. I went to Letchworth State Park in NY to take advantage of the fall colors and try out the camera. For some reason the Chrome selection does not work. It just toggles past it. What disturbs me is that nothing in the manual talks about warranty. After chasing my tail with Amazon (seems the best option is probably going to be to return it), I got a link to Fuji and am waiting to hear back to see if there is some software update to correct this. Anyway, in the warranty verbiage they talk about refurbished parts or camera to solve the issue. Whoa there! If I wanted refurbished I would have bought one for less money!Hopefully there will be a software fix for this problem. I have had a simpler Fuji camera for a number of years and it has worked flawlessly giving great pictures. That was one of the primary reasons I chose to go with this one. BTW, I took a look at the pictures I took at the park (149 to be exact due to battery life) and I expected to have a lot of throw away shots (I am no pro). I was extremely impressed with how they came out. It seems the Fuji quality pictures are still available with this camera. In fact the chrome function is available on my older Fuji. Anyway I will follow up once this is resolved so as to give proper feedback (I haven't thrown in the towel on this, I just want it fixed). BTW, I bought a Durecell charger and spare batteries. I think they are a must with digital. I used the Discharge function to finish them off as out of the box they were not near full charge. This is all to be expected. If you order this or another that takes AA's just go ahead and get one at the same time. You will not regret it.

There's already a bunch of reviews, so let me just get to the point:PROS:1. The deal breaker is the price/value - for a camera like this with these features, you won't find anything for this price. This was the ultimate deciding factor. I needed a camera just for a month's worth of vacation (9 different locations), and didn't want to risk losing/damaging something high-price that was just for the trip.2. Love these type of cameras in general - the best of both worlds: smaller and lighter than a true DSLR, but with the same (if not better than) telephoto and wide-angle aspects; more functions than simple point-and-shoots, faster focus and actual shooting times, and faster recycling times (time between shots).3. For the price, the added 720p video functionality is awesome. Video is quite good, and the auto- focus and iris functions are quick.4. Panorama function - I'm not big on gimmicks, and haven't tried panorama features of other cameras, but this one is excellent. The stitching is nearly flawless - there is a "ghost" image which pops up on the left side of the screen so you can line up your 2nd and 3rd shots - very neat.5. Uses 4 AA batteries so you can always replace them (at souvenir shops, etc.) when caught in a bind.CONS:1. Average photo quality. At this price this is to be expected, but just want to let you know. Use the "Landscape" mode to bring the most out of your photos if you're using this on a vacation.2. It's the best of both worlds, and it's the worst of both worlds: doesn't have all the high-tech features and qualities of true DSLRs; slow start-up time; is too big to put in your pockets.3. Audio on video recording is absolutely horrendous. It's monaural, and if it's not someone standing and speaking right in front of the camera, all you get is audio rubble.4. AA batteries can also mean a bad thing. If you are a knucklehead like me and forgot to bring rechargeables or a bag full of replacement AA's, your battery bill can be almost as high as the camera itself. I was on vacation in various parts of Asia for a month, and even there where everything is dirt cheap, 4 AA's cost anywhere from $5-10 at the souvenir shops. I went through at least 7 sets - some didn't even last a day!In the end I highly recommend this camera, because of its value. I got it when it was a "buck-sixty," and even then I thought it was a steal. Some junk point-and-shoot cameras don't cost this low.If you can accept its limitations, GET this camera!And GET rechargeable AA batteries!