Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

Apr 25, 2005 - By Emily Raymond
Fujifilm’s coveted F-series is the technological experimentation playground for the FinePix line, possessing new components and features before they make their way to other models and applications. This includes both the super CCD and SR CCD. The FinePix F10 is Fujifilm’s most recent addition to its F series; however, this digital camera departs from the traditional numbering system of the line. The F10 is not a big step backwards from the F440, F450, and F700. Rather, it packs 6.3 total megapixels on its 1/1.7-inch Super CCD that works in combination with an improved Real Photo Processor. Fujifilm is marketing this improved imaging processor as having significantly less noise and much faster reading and writing time. The F10 is comparable to the Canon PowerShot SD500 with its increased amount of megapixels in a compact form. The F10 will compete well in the glamorous slim digital camera market with its 1.1-inch thick body constructed from a single sheet of metal, which will make it far more durable than most other comparable cameras. With a 3x optical zoom lens, a large 2.5-inch LCD screen, and 500 shots per battery charge, the Fujifilm FinePix F10 is equipped with many of the features that manufacturers are heavily emphasizing this year. The FinePix F10 will retail for $399.95 and can be found online for about $330.00.
Advertisement

Likes

-Strong resolution (highest score of any compact camera we have tested thus far)
-Excellent noise performance using manual ISO settings
-Performed extremely well in low light (using manual settings)
-fastest startup time of a compact digital camera
-Barely any shutter lag
-ISO 800/1600 sensitivity ratings offered

Dislikes

-Seemingly cheap construction
-small buttons that are close together
-spelling errors in white balance menu look extremely unprofessional
-shutter noise and focus noise sounds like dying insect

Conclusion
Digital camera manufacturers have tried for years to combine high-quality images and a compact camera body. The Fujifilm FinePix F10 is the most successful fusion of the two that we’ve come across. The F10 has good solid guts — a 1/1.7-inch Super CCD with 6.3 effective megapixels and a Real Photo imaging processor — in a fairly lightweight 3.6 x 2.3 x 1.1-inch camera body. The Fujifilm F10 produced the highest percentage of resolution from a compact camera we’ve tested to date, recording 5.47 of its advertised 6.3 megapixels (90%). It also produced an overall manual ISO noise score to rival that of high-end, thousand-dollar DSLRs (obviously, without the dynamic range). This compact camera has several SLR elements to it, including the high quality images and fast startup. However, there are drawbacks. One is somewhat substandard construction that is manifested in wretched noises when focusing and using the shutter mechanism. The misspelled headings and settings are inexcusable. Fujifilm has expressed plans to limit the defective releases and ensure that further shipments do not include these oversights, and they're contemplating an update to correct the flaw. Additionally, the F10 does not exactly reflect its high-end guts in its exterior appearance. The body is compact, but not very sleek and not quite a pocket model. The F10 is the camera equivalent of a brainy person with a few weird quirks (strange shutter and focusing sounds, misspelled menus, etc.). At a retail price of $399, and available online for closer to $330, consumers should be more apt to overlook those quirks and invest in a great tool for producing high-quality photographs.

Overall Impressions Page 11 of 12 Specs
Fujifilm FinePix F10 Digital Camera Review Navigation
Advertisement