Color (6.07)
Using Imatest Imaging Software and the industry standard GretagMacbeth color chart, we tested the color performance of the Fuji FinePix S7000. This method gives us an idea of how each camera produces color and its variance from ideal color reproduction. The image below has been run through Imatest and indicates the color produced by the camera (the outer square), the digital camera’s color corrected by the software (inner square), and ideal color (represented by the interior vertical rectangle).

 The chart below is a visual representation of the Fuji FinePix S7000’s color accuracy. Each number stands for a color on the color chart; the squares indicate the chart’s actual color and the circles represent the colors produced by the camera. The line connecting each square and circle shows the degree of color error.

The overall color score for the Fuji FinePix S7000 is 6.07, which is pretty mediocre when compared to many cameras on the market, but is in line with other Fujifilm digital cameras. The Fuji FinePix S5000, for example, received a very similar score of 6.05. As you can see, there is deviation in many colors, with only #14 (and #12 and #5, somewhat) producing accurate values. Although it is very common to have #9 and #15 over-saturated in order to produce nice skin tones, the Fuji FinePix S7000 was way off target. This means that the pinks in most images are very over-saturated and give a slight cast. The circles that are pulled closer to the center of the image represent under-saturation. The Fuji FinePix S7000 under-saturated in a few instances, such as #16, #11, and in most of the blue tones.

The mean camera saturation for the Fuji FinePix S7000 is pretty decent at 109.2%, but this is due more to under-saturated colors rather than overall color accuracy. Overall, I was pretty disappointed in the color produced by this digital camera, and wouldn’t suggest it for users who need accuracy.

Real Life Scene
Below is our standard still life scene which we photograph with every digital camera:

Clicking on the above image will open a full resolution version in a new window (CAUTION: The linked image is very large).

Resolution / Sharpness (4.73)
Using an ISO resolution chart and Imatest Imaging Software, we tested for the “real resolution” of the Fuji FinePix S7000. Imatest analyzes images taken of our industry standard chart and gives the actual lines of resolution. Using the camera’s highest resolution, best quality, and lowest ISO settings, we gather the best results produced by the digital camera. There is usually a discrepancy between the resolution read by Imatest and the reported resolution, owing to exaggeration by manufacturers. In general, 90% or above of the reported resolution is excellent, and 80-89% is a good performance. The Fuji FinePix S7000 received a resolution that is 78% of what it should be with a “real resolution” or 4.73 megapixels. Although this performance isn’t horrific, it could be better. There are many point-and-shoot digital cameras on the market that are producing scores that run the Fuji FinePix S7000 into the ground.

Noise Auto ISO (6.9)
Using Imatest Imaging Software we determined the amount of noise present on the Fuji FinePix S7000. Noise is the appearance of monochromatic “specks” on the surface of an image (much like grain on film), and increases as ISO sensitivity increases. While in Automatic mode the ISO range of the S7000 is 160-800 and is determined by the camera according to varying light conditions. The automatically controlled ISO on the Fuji FinePix S7000 responded adequately to lighting conditions to produce a score of 6.9, but this is nothing to write home about, especially compared to the camera’s manual noise score. If you’re in a low light situation and you’re worried about noise I would take the camera out of Auto mode and adjust ISO manually.

Noise Manual ISO (9.87)
The Fuji FinePix S7000 offers (a mediocre) three ISO settings to choose from: 200, 400, and 800. However, when shooting at an ISO of 800 the image size is automatically lowered to 2016 x 1512. Using Imatest Imaging Software we tested each ISO setting at fixed lighting conditions, which allows us to determine image quality variance at different ISO settings. After obtaining results we put together a regression analysis to determine our total noise score.

The graph shown above illustrates the noise levels at the Fuji FinePix S7000’s three ISO settings. If you are going to be shooting high resolution images you will only have access to 200 and 400 ISO settings. This is quite limiting for such an advanced digital camera; however it did produce relatively low noise levels in that range. The bottom line is that this digital camera will do fine in well lit situations, but is severely limited when lighting is dim.

Speed Timing
Start-up to First shot (6.53)
The Fuji FinePix S7000 falls into the range of point-and-shoot cameras when it comes to speed. It took a total of 3.47 seconds to transition from the Off position to taking its first shot. This is going to be a problem for people with a quick response; they will end up twiddling their thumbs while the camera gets ready to shoot.

Shot to shot (8.19)
The Fuji FinePix S7000 did okay in-between shots, but still does not compare to digital SLRs. Taking 1.81 seconds to process one shot and take another is a bit long if you’re working fast.

Shutter to shot (8.08)
Again, there is a short 0.46 second lag time between pressing the shutter button and capturing an image. Many digital SLRs, such as the Nikon D70 and the Canon EOS Digital Rebel, don’t suffer from any noticeable time between shutter and shot, enabling the user to catch fleeting moments as seen by the photographer’s eye.