Equipment and processing:
As I said, the FinePix has a lot of camera for the money, if you're for looking for a bridge camera. Whether you actually so has to have a large focal length range always there, was once undecided and must be answered by each buyer itself, in my opinion would be a 5 or 7-fold zoom more than enough for a camera always with you. Processing FinexPix S4800 is quite good considering the price. Although the plastic case does not give the impression of quality, but seems durable enough to withstand even the roughest environments. The controls are slightly larger game and have not the "rich" pressure point, as more expensive cameras, but can be operated well yet. The dimensions of the camera are compact only in relation to the large focal length range, a camera bag you will come on excursions not around. Otherwise, the features of the camera does not offer anything extraordinary. The video resolution is for example "only" 720p, so FullHD videos can not accommodate, the display is big genung (3 inches), but dissolves very bad, so that only hint of problems in operating there, to that later. The continuous shooting speed is not very high (1.2 fps at full resolution), it provides the camera but after a panorama mode, manual picture modes and is powered by 4 standard AA batteries operated, which might very easily make a battery replacement. RAW images are just as impossible as the use of creative filters such as those found in many cameras the competition.
Handling:
The S4800 is surprisingly well in hand. The fact that 4 AA batteries had to be accommodated, the handle is down quite large and thus provides a secure fit, so that the camera in spite of their dimensions can only be operated with one hand quite. Just when you rely on the automatic functions of Camera, so the handling makes perfect pleasure. The situation is different if you want to use the existing manual modes. Operation with the few existing keys does not so much fun, especially since the camera lacks a dial and one has to rely on the traditional 4 directional buttons. The flash does not fire automatically, but must be manually activated by means of a separate button. The menus seem very easy and no longer particularly timely. The really bad resolution display is doing its part to ensure that this impression is reinforced. Also, it hinders a good control of the captured images and is really just to judge what you just photographed. Whether the recordings have become really hot, you will afterwards only to find on a PC. After all, the camera can connect to a TV via MiniHDMI in order to present the images directly. All in all, the camera is quite successful in the automatic mode of the handling ago, apart from the really bad display. The manual modes make not really fun and the lack of RAW recording capability, and the limited control by way of shooting, the display should also be deterred rather versiertere users. Autofocus also not one of the fastest of its kind, and was with the a or other motive before his problems. However, the latter only occurred rarely. However, snapshots are likely not to strengthen include the camera, who is dependent on rapid response, engages better with another model.
Image Quality:
Bridge cameras have frequently not the image quality, as we know from compact cameras the price range here. The large focal length, and due to price pressure is not always very high-quality appearance usually wear in this circumstance. Especially with the S4800 with its very affordable price must not expect too much you.
However, I was surprised. Although the lens is not very high speed, so the camera is acceptable from the noise behavior here. Up to ISO 800, the photos can be used well for prints, even if at ISO 800 quite a greater loss of detail in the 100% view is visible. A corresponding adjustable ISO Auto, the camera offers. The ISO levels above you should then, however, really only use in an emergency, because loss of detail and noise but occur here disturbing.
The lens also makes a bad impression. The distortion appears herauszurechnen the camera well from the pictures. Towards the edges one notices a slightly larger loss of detail, but this was to be expected with the camera and the price range almost. The zoom can be pretty good dose, and disturbing occurred only at the long end some chromatic aberration, and I must honestly say that I've actually almost never maxed out the full zoom range when shooting, only for a few test pictures I then times " fully zoomed in ", in operation, so the likely to be limited. White balance and color rendition succeed the camera also quite good, although it does have its problems in artificial light. This can be observed in many cameras but the price range and here I've seen worse models.
The video quality is good. The zoom can also operate in video mode and reflected barely audible on the video itself out, unfortunately the resolution is such, however, previously said limited to 720p.
The Panorama mode in the camera is also useful and adding up the images succeed the camera quite fast and reliable, go without details lost.
As a conclusion it can be said that the image quality of the camera is fine, considering the price and design. The large zoom range of the lens requires a lot from, and it shows in the operation. The noise performance of the camera can be described as average but the image results will be felt for most of potential buyers as well.
Conclusion:
Light and shadow. Actually, I'd give the camera 4 stars, if one takes into account price / performance, image quality and features. Unfortunately, I have to make for really low-resolution display a separate deduction, it will interfere with the control of their shots even users who only use the automatics. The fact that the camera only allows 720p video, is a small flaw, perhaps you should still the big brother, the view s6800, which has a better resolution display and full HD video. However then you get the money for almost a Nikon J1, although much less focal length, but provides better image quality, better feel and faster at worlds autofocus. As a unique feature of the S4800 remains as to be operated primarily with the possibility of AA batteries, coupled with a large focal length range, an acceptable considering the price class image quality and a very reasonable price. However, you should ask yourself if you really need a large magnification in a camera.