Fujifilm is at the forefront once again with a new compact in its F series, the FinePix F100fd.  It’s a camera with a rock solid technical sheet: stabilization via movement of the sensor, 5x zoom wide angle 28 - 140 mm (f/3.3), efficient face detection and technology to increase the dynamic range.

Handling

After having tried the minuscule Panasonic Lumix FX35 and Canon Ixus 80 IS, the brand new FinePix F100fd seems enormous!  However, this stoutness enables Fujifilm to finally equip its F100fd with a 5x zoom starting at 28 mm although (and this is its only defect) it opens to f/3.3.  And in fact, a wide angle on the F series has been awaited by some time by photographers.  This is now taken care of and as a bonus there is also optical stabilization via movement of the sensor.  So these are two good points for a versatile compact which will be at ease in most situations. There was some slight disappointment in the macro mode being limited to 5 cm while some rivals can focus at 2 or even 1 cm from the subject.  However, in the end results were very convincing.

The interface is sober although the startup button a bit too discreet.  On the back, we find the F button (for rapid access to ISO, image quality, colors, etc.), one for face detection/red eye, and two others for screen startup and play.  Something new for Fujifilm, the four way buttons have fortunately been replaced by a dial while keeping the possibility for direct access to the macro mode, flash, stabilization and timer.  However sadly, this still isn’t the case for speed priority or exposure modes on the small compact.  Otherwise, simply pressing the menu button takes you to an easy to use rotating symbol system but this could quickly prove to be tiring in practice.  The numerous (too many?) possibilities (scene modes, video, menu, etc.) are grouped together without distinction. 

Finally, the Fujifilm F100fd is relatively fast.  Even if startup may make the more impatient amongst us a bit antsy, the wait is still acceptable.  Moreover, autofocus is remarkably reactive in a number of situations. Better yet, (3rd generation) face detection is extremely rapid and often better in autofocus on human subjects than with the standard system.  One last point, the screw thread unfortunately isn’t in line with the lens.

Quality of images

With the Fujifilm S100fs, the F100fd (thank you Fujifilm for making it so easy to distinguish the two!) is the only compact to integrate its in-house 8th generation Super CCD sensor.  Despite the 12 million photo sites being packed together, results are impressive.  Definition enables easily reframing photos and reproduces a good level of detail.  Noise control is amazing and while ‘’billowing’’ starts to affect pixels at 400 ISO, it’s admirably low up to 800 ISO.  At 1600 ISO, this effect is more pronounced but is entirely acceptable.  Only photos at 3200 ISO are more degraded notably with a phenomenon which produces uniform color blocks.  Beyond this, definition is reduced to 3 Mpix but the grouping of pixels (called pixel binning) allows increasing sensitivity up to 12800 ISO – a first for a compact.  However, in this mode results are more random.

The lens is of good quality and sharpness is homogenous on the entire area of the image. Chromatic aberrations are very discreet and purple fringes (a recurrent problem for Fujifilm cameras) seem to only slightly affect images.  At 28 mm, barrel deformation is barely visible but doesn’t pose a problem.

Outdoors, white balance is accurate and colors are well saturated.  Indoors, as is too often the case under tungsten lighting, images are very warm and lean towards red.  As for the flash, in short it functions correctly.  Finally, there is high performance mechanical stabilization but it is behind optical solutions from Panasonic or Canon.


Canon Ixus 860 IS, Panasonic Fx35 or Fujifilm F100fd: A tough choice!

When it comes down to making the choice, it’s difficult to know which is the best compact.  This is only normal as each has its particular advantages and downsides.  One way to go about making a choice would be to consider what type of photos you shoot the most.

•    The Canon Ixus 860 IS is compact, very reactive (startup, recording, autofocus) and offers excellent image quality at 80 ISO.   This camera will first and foremost be suited for family use where reactivity (for example, photographing children) is critical.
•    The Panasonic FX35 stresses its 25 mm wide grand and especially a high definition video mode.  This is of interest for those who want to capitalize on the future of large format video. In short, it’s a product that is attractive for its photo & video versatility, better performance than Canon in high sensitivities, and more accurate colors than Fuji.
•    Finally, the Fujifilm F100fd also has a 28 mm wide angle but has better precision in low light and bright conditions (significantly more details).  Also, it has excellent noise control which is useful for shooting without a flash and therefore preserving the natural light aspect.  Very rapid face detection is also one of its advantages.  Its three defects: bigger size than the others, less efficient automatic white balance than Canon and Panasonic (plan on frequent touch-ups) and the absence of an HD video mode.