Good quality / price for something better holiday pictures

I bought the camera in stores, because I was like so many others in this camera type spoiled for choice. There's now a wide range of cameras with Mega Zoom which technically only very slightly different.
So I wanted to make my purchase decision depends on how it is in the hands, I can cope with the Auto Focus and overall impression which makes the camera.

The Fujifilm Finepix S4 series differs only in the zoom values. Technically, they are otherwise identical. 28x for me was more than enough, since it is also a limit is reached. If more zoom the images without a tripod are really no longer get sharp.

So what I positve review:
- The camera is good grip. The thumb has a good supporting point
- Overall, the impression is quite good and high quality. The pressure points of the keys is pleasant, the zoom ring is compared to the other cameras less game. By sliding switch the camera goes to not accidentally, even the battery cover will not open unintentionally. The mode dial is also stiff enough that it does not inadvertently adjusted.
- The camera has a digital viewfinder. One can push of a button the viewfinder on and off at the same time the display. The viewfinder was important for me, for situations when the display reflects heavily. In addition, you can thus use the face as a "Behelfsstativ" when zooming.
- The autofocus responded subjectively slightly faster and better than the other cameras that I tried in the store.
- Requires 4 AA rechargeable batteries are. Of course I use Eneloops so can ever make 500 photos. The enclosed NoName batteries last for at least 200 images. IMPORTANT: In the menu you can choose between batteries. The correct setting increases the number of pictures enormously. Some have indeed prefer an integrated LiIonnen battery is what easier and more pictures. However, so does a battery the cameras and expensive is expensive replacement. In addition, you can get in an emergency at every street corner AA batteries.

Photos / Video:
- Macro- and exteriors succeed very well, also the absolute amateur.
- The automatic panorama feature is extremely easy (3 images) and delivers decent results. In difficult conditions (little clear reference points) you should take the manual function.
- The automatic mode selects correct shooting mode quite reliable. The camera is thus suitable for snapshot.
- The video function is useful for short videos but for wedding videos you should still use a right camcorder. The codec used eats a lot of memory (1min. Are approximately 220MB). In daylight, the images are very good and the recorded sound is clear. The lighting is dim, the picture begins to rustle. During the recording, you can only use the digital zoom. However, this has the advantage that you do not push noises on the video. Recordings with the two lower resolutions are actually useless and similar shots with the phone camera.

Small flaws:
- There is no SD card, so you can get started immediately (due to the memory of hunger I recommend Class 10 cards, which are now getting very low)
- When shooting indoors there is no improvement to conventional compact camera with this camera. Therefore, the sensor is probably too small. The problem is shared but with all the other cameras in this price range.
- I would have found it nice if you could manually zoom by turning the lens.
- The flash does not particularly stable impression and I suspect here a breaking point.
- I have not found a way to conjure beautiful depth of field effects.

Conclusion:
Strong buy recommendation for all amateurs who want an affordable zoom camera for the holidays, with which one can make beautiful exterior, panoramic and macro shots. Also good for casual videos, such as filming the dearest in the monkey feeding.
Miracles can not be expected in this price range. One should previously be clear about what qualities are a really important and then select the camera. Because compromises are inevitable.