Fujifilm's wide-angle budget compact of 2008 — 10MP CCD, 5x 28-140mm zoom, 3.0-inch LCD, SD storage.
The FinePix J150w topped Fujifilm's entry-level J-series when it was announced in August 2008 alongside the J100, J110w and J120. The lower-case w flagged its wide-angle lens, still uncommon in budget compacts at the time. The J-series partially replaced the long-running A-series as Fujifilm's affordable point-and-shoot line, moving the range to lithium-ion power and slimmer metal bodies.
The J150w combines a 10-megapixel CCD with a Fujinon 5x optical zoom covering a genuinely wide 28-140mm equivalent range, framed on a 3.0-inch LCD in a metal chassis just 22.6mm thick. Sensitivity reaches ISO 1600 at full resolution, and it records VGA or QVGA video at 30 frames per second with sound. Storage is on SD/SDHC cards and power comes from a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, in line with the rest of the J-series.
The 28mm wide end is the reason to pick a J150w over its many 3x-zoom contemporaries: it is far better suited to landscapes, interiors and group shots, while 140mm covers moderate reach. It remains a fully automatic camera with no stabilisation or manual exposure, so it suits casual shooters and digicam collectors rather than enthusiasts wanting control.
When buying used, make sure the correct Fujifilm lithium-ion battery and ideally a charger are included, as generic chargers add cost to a cheap camera. SD/SDHC storage keeps running costs low. Check the telescoping 5x zoom for smooth extension with no lens-error messages, inspect the large screen for scratches, and expect some corner softness from the ambitious wide-angle lens.