Comparisons
Olympus Stylus 800 - The Olympus Stylus 800 is an 8-megapixel, 3x zoom compact, so it comes up short on both pixel count and zoom range when compared with the E900. On the other hand, 8 megapixels are plenty for many uses (though we found the Stylus's resolution lackluster), and the Stylus has a 2.5-inch, 215,000-pixel LCD, which blows away the E900's measly 2-inch 115,000 pixel screen. The Stylus is well-sealed against dust and moisture, which is useful to active users and folks who want a camera to take anywhere. The E900, on the other hand, is poorly sealed and likely to suffer in moist or dusty conditions.
Canon PowerShot S80 - The Canon Powershot S80 is another 8-megapixel, 3.6x zoom, but it's distinctive because the wide end of its zoom is equivalent to a 28mm lens – wide enough to take in whole rooms in typical houses and apartments and group shots from reasonable distances. The S80's LCD is 2.5 inches, but also sports only 115,000 pixels, the same sub-par resolution as the E900. The S80 only goes up to ISO 400, giving the E900 a full-stop advantage. The S80 pitches a little harder to the snapshooters, with more than a dozen scene modes, but it also features full manual capability. The S80 lists for $549.99, and sells for around $500 – while the E900 goes for closer to $400.
Nikon Coolpix P1 - The Nikon Coolpix P1 is an 8-megapixel compact with a 3.5x zoom. Its most distinguishing feature is its capacity for WiFi connectivity. It can print or download images to WiFi-capable printers and computers within about 100 feet. It's an appealing feature that the FinePix E900 can't match.
In other respects, the E900 stacks up pretty well against the P1. The P1 performed badly in our color and resolution tests, and its ISO range extends to only 400, a full stop less than the E900. Though the P1 has a 2.5-inch LCD, the display has only 115,000 pixels – the same resolution as the E900. The P1 is available online for about $400, just what the E900 is going for. If WiFi is important, the P1 could be a better choice.
Panasonic Lumix DMC LX1 - The Panasonic Lumix DMC LX1 is an 8.6-megapixel camera with a 4x zoom. The zoom range is comparable to a 28-112mm lens on a 35mm camera, so it offers good wide-angle capability. The LX1 also has optical image stabilization, a feature that is very useful with long telephoto lenses – which the LX1 does not have. Still, it should steady even wide-angle shots in low light. To limit camera-movement induced blur, the E900 relies on good performance at high ISOs so that users can set relatively fast shutter speeds. Since the LX1 offers a maximum ISO setting of 400 and is noisy at that setting, Fuji's strategy with the E900 gives it the advantage in low light, despite the LX1's image stabilizer. The LX1 has a 2.5-inch 207,000 pixel display, which is much more useful than the E900's 2-inch 115,000 pixel LCD. The LX1 sells for something under $490 online, so its stabilization comes at a price substantially above the E900's.
Value (7.25)
Why buy a FinePix E900 for about $400, when $300 would get an apparently similar compact? The E900's 9-megapixel resolution is not the only reason – though that's certainly a major part of the equation. The E900 produces clean images – which means the shots are easier to print and easier to edit than inferior ones. The E900 has excellent manual controls – they're complete, and easy to use. Though the RAW file converter is extremely limited – it doesn't allow adjustments – the E900 does offer RAW files.
All in all, the FinePix E900 is a flexible camera that's capable of making high-quality images with a range of control options.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters -The FinePix E900 offers standard point-and-shoot features – a full automatic mode, plus scene modes – but the Automatic mode isn't as fool-proof as some others, and the camera costs more than the ideal point-and-shoot.
Budget Consumers - The FinePix E900 is relatively cheap among 9-megapixel cameras, but the typical budget consumer doesn't need 9 megapixels.
Gadget Freaks - The E900 doesn't contain any must-have new technologies – no image stabilization, no WiFi connectivity, no breakthrough video. At 9 megapixels, it's a remarkably high-resolution compact, but that doesn't reach the threshold for gadgetdom.
Manual Control Freaks - The FinePix E900 should please manual control freaks with, obviously, its manual controls, but also with its RAW file format and good image quality.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists - The FinePix E900 would make plenty of sense for serious shooters who use Fuji DSLRs. Aspects of the cameras' interfaces are similar, and image quality has a lot in common. Fuji shooters who want a compact with good quality would feel right at home with the E900.
