Fujifilm Finepix S2800HD digital camera

Having a bigger zoom lens is always an advantage on a camera, but the problem is that a longer lens normally means extra bulk.

The Fujifilm Finepix S2800HD has just such a lens but fits it into a smaller-than-average body.

It incorporates an 18x optical zoom lens, which is equivalent to a 28-504mm lens on an old film camera. It's supported by mechanical image stabilisation which moves the camera's sensor to combat the blur caused by camera shake.

With such a wide focal length range on the lens it means you can stand in one place and both shoot a landscape and pull faraway subjects much closer. The image stabilisation is particularly useful when zooming in, as that's when camera shake has more of an effect.

Although it outwardly looks like a digital SLR, the S8200HD is a great deal smaller than even a small SLR model. Unlike on an SLR, the lens at the front cannot be changed, but it's a lot cheaper than any new SLR at £150.

It's made of plastic but that is well disguised with a matt black finish, and it takes four AA batteries. These provided for up to 300 photos and help add weight to the camera, giving it a solid feel when they are slotted into place.

A chunky shooting mode dial allows the user to select both manual and fully automatic operation, just as on a digital SLR, which is not something we often see at this price. Pictures are reviewed and can be composed on the 3in rear screen but there is also a smaller electronic viewfinder mounted just above this, which is very useful if shooting using the screen isn't an option, particularly on sunny days.

Controlling the camera was straightforward enough. A zoom lever surrounds the main shutter release button and the power switch is large and obvious. Give this a nudge and the camera is ready to take a photo in two seconds.

As the model name suggests, in addition to 14-megapixel still images, the S2800HD also offers high-definition video clips in the resolution of 720p and in the widely compatible Motion JPEG format.

It was a disappointment that, while the zoom lens can be used while recording, the camera doesn't mask the noise of the lens motor, so the built-in microphone picked up the wasp-like sound of it making its mechanical adjustments.

There is a mini HDMI socket for hooking the camera up directly to a flat-screen TV, but as usual the required cable costs extra.

As is often the case with cheaper cameras, when shooting at maximum zoom some of the images were very slightly out of focus, but otherwise both still images and video looked good.