Best Reviewed
Digital Cameras (Ultra-Zoom)
- Best ultra-zoom digital camera Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V *Est. $340
- Budget ultra-zoom digital camera Canon PowerShot SX130 IS *Est. $200
- Extreme-zoom camera Canon PowerShot SX40 HS *Est. $395
- Best compact ultra-zoom camera Canon PowerShot SX230 HS *Est. $190
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- Wide-angle to 15x zoom lens
- Compact
- Loaded with features
- Full HD video
- Mixed reviews for image quality
- Flash always pops up when camera is powered on
The Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR is smaller and lighter than most pocket ultra-zoom cameras (less than 8 ounces and just over an inch thick), even with a robust 15x zoom lens and rich feature set. However, several experts find its image quality disappointing. The F550EXR packs 16 megapixels onto a small, half-inch sensor, but several critics say this attempt at high resolution creates grainy photos in all but the brightest light. And even with full 1080p HD video capture available, the F550EXR's movies don't look as good as competitors' -- including the top-rated Sony Cyber-shot HX9V (*Est. $340) and compact Canon PowerShot SX230 HS (*Est. $190) -- in one test. Experts say that's unfortunate, because they really like the F550EXR's feature set, which includes several automatic and manual shooting modes and a GPS-tagging feature.
PhotographyBlog.com and PC World conduct thorough individual tests of the Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR and write detailed reviews. Write-ups are also detailed at Britain's Which? magazine, while its U.S. and Australian counterparts -- ConsumerReports.org and Choice magazine -- test and rank the F550EXR against its peers but don't go into much description about its performance. Amazon.com posts dozens of owner reviews for this camera, both positive and negative.
| Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR 16 MP CMOS Digital Camera with Fujinon 15x Super Wide Angle Zoom Lens and GPS Geo-Tagging Function (International Model No Warranty) (Gold) 8GB SD HC Card Battery, Charger and More Accessory Saver Bundle | |
(70 reviews) In Stock. |
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Our Sources
The Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR gets a Recommended tag here, but it doesn't rate as highly as some other ultra-zooms. Fujifilm has boosted the megapixels at the expense of image quality, Mark Goldstein says.
Review: Fujifilm FinePix F550 EXR Review, Mark Goldstein, May 9, 2011
It packs more features than the competition, but "its image and video quality lags a bit behind," Theano Nikitas says of the Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR. It rates 3.5 stars out of 5.
Review: Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR, Theano Nikitas, Sept. 7, 2011
3. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Editors here include the Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR in their test of 27 ultra-zoom cameras. Cameras are rated for image and video quality, ease of use, versatility and more, and then editors pick best buys.
Review: Digital Cameras, Editors of ConsumerReports.org
4. Which? magazineDetails/Subscribe
This U.K. consumer magazine tests 285 digital cameras, including the Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR. Editors grade it on 13 measures of photo and video quality and usability. Best Buys get fairly detailed individual write-ups.
Review: Digital Cameras, Editors of Which? magazine
5. Choice magazineDetails/Subscribe
Australia's Choice magazine -- similar to ConsumerReports.org in the U.S. -- tests 99 digital cameras, including the Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR, and picks best buys. Top picks get an overall score and a list of pros and cons.
Review: Compact Digital Cameras Review, Chris Ruggles, Sept. 29, 2011
6. Amazon.com
The Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR earns an average rating of 3.5 stars (out of 5) with over 50 owner reviews posted here. About half give it 4 or 5 stars, but it does draw complaints, including some about the image quality and disappointing GPS feature.
Review: Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR 16 MP CMOS Digital Camera, Contributors to Amazon.com
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