Robust - strong performer

I purchased one for my newpaper use when they first came out. comparitively on price, this one had the best features in it's class, and utilized AA batteries - Cannot stress how important that is for people who travel, and MUST be able to get pictures, no matter where they are.

The first thing I did was chuck that teeny, lame camera strap that it came with- that was just silly, and installed a nice comfy one.

No matter how careful we are in the new biz, our cameras get a workout, and take bumps and bruises everyday. about a year and a half ago, the lens hood broke off, and it has since been secured with duct tape. Boo on Fuji for how that was attached in the first place.

other than odd miscues in firing up, the terrible battery life meter (little warning before die-down), and that darn shutter lag, I have been satisfied with this camera. 3.2mpx has been more than enough for newprint photography, at even full page width size. I have gone through probably 6 sets of rechargeables, in 3 years, shooting probably 400 pics a week, with few worries. I am a
"professional amateur" - if you want to see some of the best that this camera can do, check out:
http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=profile&l=tvvoodoo

Nearly all were taken with the s3000, and some are world class images (in my opinion, and others).

I will buy fujifilm again, looking at s6000fd right now.