Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W1 Camera - Black (10MP, 3x Optical Zoom) 3D/2D LCD

I've read reviews about the Fuji Finepix 3D W1 varying from 'too heavy', 'too expensive' or 'too impractical' with others describing it as the 'technical innovation of 2009'!! As a 'firstuser' I'm not disappointed.... it does exactly what it says on the box.... 3D photos and 3D video loops, on the camera screen and without red/green glasses. It takes 10MP pictures and works with SDHC cards. There's real depth to the picture on the LCD screen... and the effect is just as good with the 3D video loops. Your eyes need to 'tune in' and there are some parallax errors with items very near or very far away in the shot... but the depth is amazing. Clear and sharp... you feel you could reach inside the camera!!

It takes 2D image versions at the same time for 'standard' prints and use on your PC. If you want 3D prints, they have to be sent to Fuji who print them on 'lenticular paper' (there's one in the box with the camera... personally, I wouldn't bother, they're nowhere near as good as the image on the screen itself). The 3D pictures and loops can only be viewed on the LCD screen on the camera or on the 8 inch V1 photoframe (available separately). You can't view the images or loops in 3D on your PC (the effect is achieved using a combination of the two lenses and the special LCD screen itself).

This is definitely innovative, but like all new innovations it's not cheap... If you want a 10MP digital camera which does high quality 2D images and video loops, you can certainly get one for a lot less (£200-300) - there are plenty on the market. The premium is for the 3D feature..... if you want it for that, you won't be disappointed.

As a photographer who has been working in 3D for nearly two decades, I have been watching the response to this first consumer-level digital stereo camera with interest.

As a 3D camera, the Fuji is quite good: the distance between the left and right lenses is well judged, the controls are user-friendly and the stereoscopic screen on the back is guaranteed to impress everyone who sees it (never underestimate the "wow" factor).

My biggest criticism of the camera is that the actual lenses are frankly not that good. In their attempt to keep the camera small, Fuji have used tiny lenses, leading to very small image sensors (even by the standards of compact cameras). The result is that the photos tend to lack vibrancy, and the colours are often washed out. In low light, the camera is a disaster, and the shots are full of digital "noise" - if you are able to hold the camera still enough to get a steady shot without using a tripod, that is.

Crucially, if this had been a 2D camera, it would be regarded as a very mediocre product, just based on the quality of the pictures it takes. Of course this is not a 2D camera, and it is the 3D features that lead people to buy it. Even here, there are bad points as well as good points:

- The 3D pictures are stored in a file format that seems to be unique to Fuji (so far). Fuji does not offer any software for editing or manipulating these files. For that you need to download Stereo Photo Maker (which is excellent and free) but the casual buyer of this camera would have no way of knowing about that. Without editing software, you can't so much as adjust the brightness or contrast of a photo, let alone fix the 3D alignment, convert to other 3D formats etc. etc....

- The left lens is positioned very close to the edge of the camera; so close that it's very easy to get your finger in the shot when holding the camera, unless you are very careful. I have learned to hold the camera carefully, but virtually every time I give the camera to a friend to use, their shots come out with a big flesh-coloured blob where the left image should be.

- Fuji have added a few frankly bizarre features that feel like they were included primarily to fill out the Features list. You can, for example, use the two lenses independently - taking one wide angle shot and one close-up shot simultaneously. Of course, by the time you've gone into the menu to activate this feature and set everything up, you could have taken half a dozen photos already.

On the good side, this camera has all the advantages of a dedicated 3D camera. Anyone who has taken stereo photos using two cameras linked together will know about the problems of synchronising the shutter, the zoom, the exposure time etc. Having one camera controlling both lenses means these problems are not an issue here. The settings are always matched, and the shutters are always exactly synchronised. The ability to record 3D video is also useful, even though the quality isn't particularly good (and you need yet another 3rd party program if you want to edit that video!).

It remains to be seen whether this generation of digital 3D is going to be a success with the general public. In the 1950's there were literally hundreds of different 35mm 3D cameras available to consumers. The Fuji camera will secure its place in history as the first digital 3D camera, and at the moment, it has virtually no competition. If other 3D cameras follow, they will almost certainly be far better than this one. Read more ›

Straight away I wasn't impressed by how chunky, heavy and clumsy this camera is. It's so easy to get your fingers in the way of the lens. And, it's finished with a glossy black plastic which I despise.

But, I didn't buy this camera because of its looks. I bought it because of the 3D photography. I'm over-the-moon with the pictures I've taken so far. I'm especially happy with the quality and the fact you can switch between aspect ratios (16:9). The 3D video feature is cool also.

I've read a lot of negative reviews referring to the menu and the camera in general. Seen as this is the only camera I can find that takes 3D photos so easily, I'd say its perfect.

For those that want to know how I view my photos: I have a home-built PC, Palit 1GB GeForce GT 240 graphics card, NVidia Geforce 3D Vision glasses, and LG W2363D 3D LCD Monitor with DVI-D cable. All chosen because of there minimal price and specs.

I have been waiting years for this camera and it doesn't disappoint! I've got some 3D experience from having previously used a Stereo Realist (from the 50's). That's all good fun but not as practical as the Fuji, if like me, you like to show your 3D photos on a PC or TV.

The built in 3D screen is pretty good for reviewing the photos although you do have to view them at just the right angle. My only gripe - you can't see the screen in bright sunlight so it's difficult to see what you're photographing.

The images produced are nice and sharp and can easily be converted to different 3D formats on a PC using free shareware applications (I use StereoPhoto Maker).

This camera is the ONLY choice if you are keen on digital 3D photography and you don't want to wield 2 cameras together.