Auto Mode
The camera starts up in the Auto mode, so it isn’t hard to find. The Auto mode is also located on the virtual dial, where it isn’t as easy to find. The Recording menu is truncated to offer only the burst and setup options. The functions on the multi-selector are available: Self-Timer, Macro, Exposure Compensation, and Flash. The image size can be changed in the “F” menu along with the automated ISO modes, power management, and color mode choices.
Movie Mode
Don’t chuck your camcorder thinking the F100fd’s Movie mode will replace it. The Fujifilm F100fd may have the typical resolution available on other digital cameras and many camcorders, but it lacks the perks that can be had on many other models: the audio isn’t very good and the optical zoom cannot be used. The white balance, ISO, and other settings can’t be changed. This FinePix records 640 x 480 and 320 x 240-pixel resolution at 30 or 15 fps and records monaural audio. The videos are stored in Motion JPEG files, which take up more space on memory cards and require more attention to upload to online sharing sites than other more modern formats like H.264. To its credit, the Fujifilm FinePix F100fd kept crisp focus throughout the video in our limited testing at the PMA show.
Videos can be played back with sound but cannot be edited at all. You can stop and start them, but that’s it.
Drive / Burst Mode
The Fujifilm FinePix F100fd has an unimpressive Burst mode that remains unchanged from its predecessor. It can shoot 1.7 fps for only three frames at full resolution. When the resolution is reduced to 3 megapixels or less, the camera can shoot 5 fps for 12 consecutive shots. There are Top and Final burst modes for each that allow you to save the photographs at either the beginning or end of the burst. There is also a Long Period burst that can hardly be called a burst.
The Long Period mode continually wrote images to the internal memory but the other modes took a whopping 16 seconds to write the images. Granted, a memory card would have been faster and this is a pre-production model. Let’s hope this is fixed by March.
The Burst mode is slower than the F50fd. They both have the same resolution but the older camera shoots 2 fps at full resolution.
Of note are the 2- and 10-second Self-Timer modes available by pushing the bottom of the multi-selector.
Playback Mode
The Playback mode is accessible by pushing the button in the lower right corner of the camera’s back. The Playback mode opens and shows the last picture taken. The best part of the Playback mode is scrolling through 10 pictures a second with the nicely gliding rotary dial.
You can view images one by one or as index screens of nine at a time or 100 tiny thumbnails at a time. You can also view four thumbnails on an interesting screen that shows two large and two small images. A calendar of images can be seen when the display button is pushed. The Playback menu describes most of the features available.
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Erase
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Frame, All Frames
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Red-Eye Removal
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OK, Cancel
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Image Rotate
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Right 90, Left 90
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Protect
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Frame, Set All, Reset All
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Copy
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Memory Card to Internal Memory, Internal Memory to Memory Card
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Voice Memo
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OK, Cancel
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Trimming
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OK, Cancel
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Setup
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(portal to Setup menu)
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I didn’t get any red eyes in my pictures, so I can’t tell you much about the red-eye removal feature. The voice memo records up to 30 seconds, but you can’t re-record the clip or erase it, so get it right the first time.
Other features are available by pushing the “F” button.
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Ir Communication
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Transmit, Receive
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Trimming for Blog
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Transmit, Transmit with Trimming, Record, Cancel
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Slide Show
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Normal (face), Normal, Fade-in (face), Fade-in, Multiple, IrSS
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Print Order
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With Date, Without Date, Reset All
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This is where Fujifilm’s infrared wireless transfer technology is hidden. You can transmit images as they are or have them resized in the Blog mode. The IrSimple wireless technology has some limitations. It can only work with compatible products, and there aren’t many in the United States. Fujifilm booth reps said the IrSimple technology is bigger in Japan and Europe. Compatibility is one problem, but other problems include the physical proximity (devices have to be within three feet with the sensors facing each other) and the fact that you can only transfer one image at a time. The IrSS function in the slide show option can transfer images wirelessly to compatible televisions.
Overall, the Playback mode has cool wireless features, but they only work when you have compatible products. There are hardly any editing features, but the rotary dial for navigation and the high-resolution LCD screen are perks.
Custom Image Presets
This point-and-shoot digital camera has 16 Scene modes that don’t go too far beyond the basics: Natural Light, Natural Light & With Flash, Portrait, Portrait Enhancer, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Underwater, Museum, Party, Flower, and Text. The Scene modes are placed all around the rotary dial’s virtual mode dial. When you scroll over one of them, a large icon appears along with text explaining the mode. This is a nice touch.
Most of the Scene modes are standard fare, although the Natural Light & With Flash mode – also called the Dual Flash mode – is still only offered on a small handful of digital cameras. This allows you to push the shutter release button once and the camera automatically takes one picture using high ISO sensitivity and natural light and the other using the flash to illuminate subjects. The two images are then displayed side by side, although they are separate image files. The Portrait Enhancer mode is also unique. It combines the newly updated face detection system with an in-camera editing system that minimizes lines and blemishes in skin. There is also an Underwater scene mode, but this can only be used properly with the optional underwater housing. Overall, the Scene mode selection is good. It has all the basics and a few interesting items, but doesn’t go overboard with so many modes that it’s a pain to scroll through them.
