There’s a market for midrange cameras,
particularly for those who either want to learn how to take proper pictures or
believe they can become a great photographer but can’t afford a full blown
DSLR. Always catering for photography enthusiasts on both divides with its
offerings, Fujifilm decided to release a camera that sits between the two
groups – the Fujifilm SL300.
1. Light-Weight
Even with its prosumer design, the SL300 is
surprisingly light. The chassis is practically weightless and I realised during
the course of this review, the majority of the camera’s weight is centred on
the sensor. This distribution concept makes it feel a little like a compact
camera with a larger frame. It makes it easy to carry around. Such a boon is great
for travellers as they can effortlessly wear it on a strap all day.
2. Not Modular
Oddly enough the lens on the SL300 doesn't
appear to be modular. So you're stuck with the stock 35mm. Fortunately, it's
not a bad lens and can be considered as perfect for amateurs who are slowly
moving up from their lower-end cameras. The 30x optical zoom allows for decent
distance shots while the image stabiliser compensates for the many who do not
have steady hands. There is even an indicator that provides a warning for moments
when the camera isn't stable.
3. Picture Quality
While the SL300 uses a 14-megapixel sensor,
its photo-taking ability is a mixed bag of results. Most times, it does its job
well as it is sensitive enough during certain conditions that it can manage
higher quality shots. Indeed, pictures are appropriately sharp with colour
contrast being preserved nicely but still falling short a little with
brightness. Unfortunately, there's a little noise on the image and is
particularly noticeable in the blacks. Thankfully, the 30x optical zoom is a
solid addition and really makes up for any shortcomings. Pictures still
maintain their quality and have minimal image shake even at maximum zoom.
4. Easy-To-Use
Sifting through the menus is easy enough
and everything is more or less where you expect it to be. The buttons feel a
little on the cheap side but that might just be the weak spot on an otherwise
solid construction of the camera. One little issue with the interface is that
the only way to return to the camera function is by hitting the shutter button.
Certainly, a little more control over the interface would have been nice.
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Details
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Price: $415
·
Dimensions: 122 x 93 x 199 mm
·
Focal Length: f=4.3 – 129.0 mm
·
Resolution: 14 megapixels
·
Zoom: 30x optical zoom, approx. 6.7x digital
zoom
·
Aperture: F3.1 – F5.9
V: 7/10
F: 9/10
P: 7/10
D: 9/10
U: 8/10
Verdict: good place to start becoming a real photographer
8.0/10 Score
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