Jump to a part
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Introduction
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01.Testing / Performance
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02.Physical Tour
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03.Components
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04.Design / Layout
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05.Modes
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06.Control Options
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07.Image Parameters
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08.Connectivity / Extras
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09.Overall Impressions
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10.Conclusion
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11.Specs / Ratings
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12.Comments
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Fujifilm FinePix F30
First Impressions Review
Previous: Page 8
Connectivity / ExtrasNext: Page 10
ConclusionComparisons
Fujifilm FinePix F10 – This digital camera has the same amount of resolution, but on a different 5th generation Super CCD image sensor. This sensor is paired with a Real Photo Processor that is an older version of the one included in the F30. Despite the older technology, the Fuji F10 is still a high quality compact model. It was the first consumer compact digital camera to include an ISO 1600 setting, making it possible for photographers to capture decent pictures in low light. Since its release last year, other manufacturers have caught on to the trend and issued cameras with higher sensitivity. The 6.3-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix F10 has only five scene modes and a program mode, so it is missing the priority modes and expanded scene mode selection on the new F30. The camera bodies of the two digital cameras look very similar, but the F10 is a tenth of an inch taller and has a thicker hand grip that is a little more comfortable to hold. The backs of the cameras look almost identical, with the 2.5-inch LCD screens occupying the left sides. The new F30 has great resolution, though, and the Fuji F10 only has 115,000 pixels. The Fujifilm FinePix F10 performed extremely well in testing; its images were virtually noise-free when using its manual ISO settings. Although older, the F10 still has a great set of technology. It originally retailed for $399 but can now be found online for under $300.
Canon PowerShot SD700 IS – The SD700 is the flagship of Canon’s trendy Digital Elph series. It has a 1/2.5-inch CCD with 6 megapixels that is specially designed to handle higher ISO sensitivities. Its ISO range doesn’t extend as far as the Fuji F30’s, but it does reach from 80-800. The Canon digital camera has "M" on its mode dial, but it isn’t a truly manual mode – it is more of a Program AE mode. It does have 11 scene modes, including fun Color Swap and Color Accent offerings. This PowerShot also has a My Colors mode that lets users tweak pictures before or after recording with a vast array of color filters. The camera’s movie mode shoots decent video at 640 x 480 pixels, but its 4x optical zoom is not functional while recording. Still, the camera has an optical image stabilization system that works very well. The sleek 1.04-inch thick body has a 2.5-inch, 173,000 pixel LCD screen on the back. Its viewing angle is nice and wide, but the resolution is not that great, and the optical viewfinder doesn’t provide a very good or accurate view. The Canon PowerShot SD700 IS produced very accurate colors and had decent resolution. It also kept images in low light well exposed. The SD700 has about the same resolution and similar components as the Fuji F30, but has less manual functionality and a larger price tag: $499.
Kodak EasyShare-one 6 MP – This digital camera is most widely known for its wireless capabilities. Indeed, the 6-megapixel EasyShare-one comes with a WiFi card included in the package. Even without the wireless function, this EasyShare is still a decent digital camera. In some aspects, it beats the Fuji F30. The Kodak has a 3-inch LCD screen that folds out from the camera body and flips around and a massive 256 MB of internal memory, so users may not even need to purchase an extra memory card. Movie mode records 640 x 480 pixels at 30 frames per second – and the 3x Schneider-Kreuznach optical zoom lens is functional while recording. The EasyShare has in-camera editing features like cropping and an automatic photo balance feature Kodak calls its Perfect Touch Technology. This model has its downfalls too. It doesn’t have the manual functionality included in the Fuji F30, only an auto mode and 16 scene modes. The burst mode is quite pedestrian at 1.5 frames per second, the ISO ranges from 80-400 only, and there are only four white balance options – none of them manual. While the Kodak EasyShare-one 6 MP may have some drawbacks, it does have a very sexy retail price of $299 and a lucrative WiFi feature.
Nikon Coolpix P4 – This digital camera comes from Nikon’s Performance line and boasts more resolution, with 8.1 megapixels, and a slightly longer 3.5x optical zoom lens. It also has a 2.5-inch LCD screen, but has much less resolution than the F30, with only 150,000 pixels. The Nikon P4 has 16 scene modes, an automatic mode, and an aperture priority mode – so there is a teaser of manual functionality. Nikon pairs that with a technology suite that includes face-priority auto focus, in-camera red-eye fix, and D-lighting compensation. The Nikon Coolpix P4 has an electronic vibration reduction system that corrects shake by up to 3 stops. It has 23 MB of internal memory and a slot for an SD card. The camera uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, but it will need to be charged twice as much as the Fujifilm F30’s battery, as it only gets 200 shots per charge. The P4’s burst mode is much slower, at 1.8 frames per second, and the ISO range is disappointing at 50-400. The Nikon Coolpix P4 doesn’t have an especially attractive body: it is taller and thicker than the F30. It also retails for a little more, at $399.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W100 – The W100 sells for the same $349 retail price, but comes with 8.1 megapixels. That sounds like a lot of resolution, but it is crammed onto the same size sensor as the Fuji FinePix F30: 1/1.8 inches. The flagship of Sony’s W-series has a similar flat design and simplistic but elegant style. It has a Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens, an optical viewfinder, and a 2.5-inch LCD screen which has half the resolution of the same-sized screen on the Fuji F30. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W100 is geared more toward beginning photographers, with its 6 scene modes and function guide, but it does let users change the shutter speed and aperture in a truly manual mode. The camera’s ISO offerings extend to 1250 and the camera has a High Sensitivity scene mode as well. There is a built-in flash that performs quite well; it does have a three-step flash compensation function but it must be manually adjusted, unlike the F30’s automatic i-Flash system. The Sony W100 has a slow burst mode that takes only one frame per second. Its 30 fps movie mode records at the standard 640 x 480-pixel size only with Sony’s Memory Stick Duo media, which is a bit annoying. Still, the W100 has full manual functionality, and even 64 MB of internal memory, at the same price as the F30.Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – These consumers will be thrilled to finally have a digital camera that can take decent shots in low light and not blur all photo opportunities. The Fuji F30 is easy to use and compact enough to conveniently stash away.
Budget Consumers – A good digital camera is worth some money. But, for those who find that the F30 is out of their budget, the older F10 provides many of the same features for a cheaper price.
Gadget Freaks – These consumers may be wowed by the high ISO sensitivities, but there really aren’t any other frilly features to attract a gadget-oriented audience.
Manual Control Freaks – There is more manual functionality on the Fujifilm FinePix F30 than there was on the F10. This digital camera has shutter speed and aperture priority modes, but no true manual mode to control both – despite the "M" position on the mode dial. Hardcore manual control freaks will be frustrated at the fake manual mode.
Pros/ Serious Hobbyists – This audience will be familiar with the wide ISO range and impressed with the clean images produced by the FinePix F30. This certainly won’t be their main equipment, but the F30 could serve as a good compact model for a low-key family vacation.
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