FujiFilm 6MP FinePix F650 Digital Camera w/5x Optical Zoom

Pros: Easy to use, pictures compare to major competitors, exceed in some areas; good brightness

Cons: Needs a few more shooting modes (has 12), wish it had a more standard (SD) card, see below. Can't zoom while taking video; common problem.

Summary: M Type XD card would not work in a standard 12-in-1 card reader from SanDisk. May be a SanDisk problem but SD is a universal format that is more widespread.

CNET editor rated the camera down for no manual white balance; there are 6 settings for manual white balance, he must have been smoking crack. I found it within a few minutes of playing with the camera in manual mode.

The biggest problem I found with CNET editor ratings is that they stick to the major name brand cameras, and judge extra harshly on less well-known companies like FujiFilm. This camera may not be a top of the line, but it was unfairly rated, so I gave it a 9 out of 10 for the few minor issues I found.

I wish it had more shooting modes. It does have 12, but I was hoping to take decent snapshots of fast events. I know someone with a Nikon S6 that has a composite selection that takes a large number of images (say 16) in quick succession (10s of milliseconds maybe), then puts them on a single 'picture-sized' image. This is probably similar to a 30frame-per-second video at 640x480, so I don't think other cameras would offer anything better, really.

I am impressed with the low light capability given the crappy review by CNET editors. I thought it would be comparable to my old Nikon Coolpix and many other digitals that can't take a decent flash or low light picture. You may have to try different settings and modes, but I haven't found anything it can't handle within reason.

Of course it won't compare to a $500 camera, but CNET editors are bashing this camera for things it does offer, and the comparisons of the competitors' equivalent cameras are chosen from cheaper lines of FujiFilm.

The speed ratings are crooked, as well. There are slower response times of other cameras that aren't bashed at all; this one had complaints that are similar to most other cameras in this price range.

I have never owned a FujiFilm before and usually go for the mid to high price range, but this time chose to go with the one I liked the most, and that had a few useful options. It does have a very useful "super-macro" that takes images within two inches, and it focuses very well. I have used new high-end digitals at work that take terrible macro pictures.

My biggest complaint is the memory type (XD), which is not very standard. Overall, I am very happy about it. I do love the giant 3" LCD screen, and its response time and low light is not as bad as the reviewers complain. They should put the same criteria on all similarly priced cameras.