Fujifilm FinePix F10 Digital Camera Review

Auto Mode (6.5)
The self-titled Auto mode can be found on the mode dial and blocks access to most image settings. The burst modes can still be changed, color modes can be added, and the ISO rating can be switched. The ISO rating has an automatic option, but users must manually select that option; the camera does not automatically choose it as a default in Auto mode. This could be tricky for beginners, who may assume that everything is automatically set in the automatic mode.

In practice, the F10 did not fare quite as well in Auto mode as it did when settings were manually selected. The camera seems to be fitted with a strong image processor and sensor, but the automatic metering system and other secondary components needed for autonomous functionality did not compare. Noticeable inaccuracies in color appear when using the auto white balance or "white balance" setting, and when the sensitivity is also set to Auto there is a drastic increase in perceivable noise within the image. All around, the camera will function as a straight point-and-shoot, but it does not have much beyond the competition. Only when the user switches to manual ISO and white balance will the F10 begin to pull away from the pack.

Movie Mode (7.0)
The Fujifilm FinePix F10 has a decent movie mode, but its nothing to get excited about. It records clips at 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 up to the capacity of the currently loaded memory card. Both sizes record 30 frames per second, which will reproduce full fluid motion. There is no zoom available in movie mode — neither optical nor digital. In fact, if you even try to move the zoom toggle or any other buttons on the camera, you will hear the sound of fumbling fingers later: the F10 records sound, but picks up sounds from the user's hands much better than sounds from its subjects. There are not many options within the movie mode — not even color modes. The lens focuses fine in movie mode, as long as subjects are farther than a foot away.

Drive / Burst Mode (6.5)
There are three continuous shooting modes on the F10: Top 3, Final 3, and 40 Frames. Both the Top 3 and the Final 3 take pictures at a 2.2-frame-per-second rate. The Top 3 mode takes the first 3 pictures and then displays all 3 on the LCD with a message that says "Storing." It takes about 12 seconds for the camera to take its next 3 shots. The Final 3 mode takes pictures at the same speed, but only saves the last three shots. It takes about 9 seconds to save pictures in the Final 3 mode. The 40 Frames mode is named for its ability to take 40 frames continuously at a not-so-impressive rate of one shot every 1.2 seconds. These burst modes are comparable to most similarly priced and categorized compact digital cameras and do not effectively compete, despite the inclusion of the heavily marketed Real Photo Processor.

Playback Mode (7.0)
The Playback mode is accessed from the Playback button, which is located directly to the right of the LCD screen. Once in Playback mode, users can view images in single frames only. There is no nine-frame index screen, which is common on most digital cameras. When users scroll between individual frames, file info appears for about two seconds before fading away. The visible file info does not include shutter speed or aperture; instead, it displays image size, exposure compensation, ISO, date and time. The Playback menu includes these options: Trimming, Auto Playback, Multi-Frame Playback, Sorting by Date, Image Rotate, and Voice Memo, as well as access to the Set-up menu. The Playback option refers to slide shows and allows users to view pictures normally or to introduce fades. The Voice Memo option lets users record up to 10 seconds of audio with each image file. Users can then listen to their attached clips and can even adjust the playback volume in 10 levels within the Set-up menu. When the F button is pressed in playback mode, it becomes the Print button. Users can choose the prints they want and how many of each for easier direct printing.

Custom Image Presets (4.5)
The Scene Position mode is labeled on the mode dial as "SP." Once selected, users must enter the menu to choose a specific scene from the following options: Natural Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sport, and Night. This list is somewhat disappointing; usually cameras that don’t have manual controls include a lengthy list of scene modes to compensate. The Fujifilm FinePix F10 takes the alternate route, going for the basics rather than the hyper-specific modes that some models opt for (i.e. cuisine, pets, fireworks, etc.). In the Natural Light and Landscape modes, the flash is disabled. According to Fujifilm, the Natural Light mode is intended to be a majestic savior for compromised lighting, disabling the flash and defaulting to the ISO 1600 setting. Unfortunately, for the point-and-shoot crowd, when the F10 was tested in low light, images were far stronger when captured in the manual mode. The Natural Light mode had difficulties attaining accurate color balance and though the resulting images were visible, they were not impressive.