Fujifilm FinePix F100fd First Impressions Review

Watch our video preview of the FinePix F100fd by clicking play below

Front
The Fujifilm FinePix F100fd looks similar to previous F-series models with its non-glamorous silver-colored body. It has a slightly different shape that almost looks pinched in the middle instead of the wedge-shape of earlier models. The lens protrudes in three segments on the right side with the lens specs running across the top and bottom arcs of the barrel. "Fujinon Zoom Lens" graces the top and "5x, f=6.4-32mm 1:3.3-5.1" is on the bottom.

There is all manner of branding on the front of the F100fd. An embossed Fujifilm logo sits in the center of the left side where the fingers grip the camera. In the lower left corner of the camera is a printed FinePix logo. In the lower right corner is a Super CCD logo. In the upper right corner, the camera flaunts "5x optical zoom."

The built-in flash unit and autofocus assist lamp sit northwest of the lens, which is surrounded by a chrome silver frame that adds only a little interest to the otherwise dull design.

Back
The 2.7-inch LCD screen takes up much of the backside of the FinePix F100fd. There is a small Fujifilm logo to the upper left corner of the LCD – in case you forget what kind of camera it is. In the upper right corner of the camera’s back are two buttons that are so close they could be one. The FinePix button on the left is hardly differentiated from the face detection/red-eye reduction button on the right. In the center of the right side is a traditional multi-selector that is composed of a central selection button and a thick ring around it that moves in four directions. Each direction has a separate purpose when not navigating through a menu. The top deletes images in the Playback mode and activates image stabilization in the Recording mode. The right side changes the flash mode, the bottom turns on the self-timer, and the left side accesses the Macro focus mode. In the lower right corner of the camera’s back is another set of buttons at the bottom: display/info on the left and Playback mode on the right.

Left Side
The left side of the F100fd is featureless.

Right Side
The right side of this digital camera has two holes in the body that connect under the surface to create a tiny tunnel for a wrist strap eyelet. The eyelet is in the center of the camera. At the bottom of the right side is a small rubber cover that pops out to let you thread the power adaptor into the battery compartment on the bottom of the camera. At the top of the right side is a small cover for the one port on the camera that connects to the included USB and AV cables.

Top
The Fujifilm FinePix F100fd’s model name sits on the left side of the top. The shutter release button and surrounding zoom ring sit on the right side. Directly left is the tiny trapezoidal power button with its LED next to it. The top isn’t anything glamorous.

Bottom
Like most cameras, the bottom isn’t anything much. The left side is a battery and memory card compartment covered by a plastic door. To its right is a built-in speaker and tripod socket.