Fujifilm FinePix F440

Color (4.65)
We tested the color reproduction of the F440 by taking several exposures of our standard GretagMacbeth color chart. The chart has 24 different color tones. We analyze the accuracy of the camera’s color rendering in comparison to the chart using Imatest Imaging Software. The graph below displays the Imatest readout of the F440’s reproduced colors. The outer square of each color tile represents the camera’s produced color. The inner square shows the color-corrected version. The small vertical rectangle is the ideal color that the camera should produce.

 The additional graph below further analyzes the tonal reproduction of the FinePix F440, providing a linear analysis of each rendered tone. The squares represent the ideal color and the circles represent the actual color produced by the F440. Obviously, the closer these two shapes are, the more accurate the camera is at producing that particular shade. Unfortunately, the mean color error between the ideal and the produced tones on the FinePix F440 is quite high, at 12.9.

 The camera’s color production translates into a 4.65 overall color score, which is average at best. The cooler tones fared well, while the reds and oranges show some discoloration. The FinePix F440 over-saturated images slightly at 102.3 percent, which is common in digital cameras to enhance skin tones and enliven colors.

Still Life Scene
Below is our vengefully colorful still life scene, captured by the Fuji FinePix F440.

Click on the above image to view a full resolution version (CAUTION: the linked image is very large)

Resolution / Sharpness (2.64)
The Fujifilm FinePix F440 has 1/2.5" Super CCD with 4.23 total and 4.1 effective megapixels. We test each camera’s resolution to determine an actual megapixel count, measuring the camera’s performance in practice. We record several images of our International Standards Organization chart, uploading the exposures into Imatest Imaging Software to observe the detected pixels and overall sharpness. If a camera receives a pixel count within 70-80 percent of its advertised megapixel count, we classify it as having a "good" performance level. If it is within 80-90 percent, it is "very good." Any score above 90 percent is rare and "excellent."

Unfortunately, the F440 didn’t even reach the "good" classification, as it scored approximately 65 percent of its true megapixel count. Our tests indicated that the camera uses 2.64 megapixels of its CCD to capture images, a significant decline from its advertised 4.1 effective megapixels.

Noise-Auto ISO (3.2)
The FinePix F440 received a 3.22 overall score for noise in the automatic ISO settings. While this is not a good score, it isn’t the worst we’ve seen from compact digital cameras. As light is compromised, many images become garbled with noise, as can be viewed in the still life picture when its studied closely.

Noise-Manual ISO (3.6)
For cameras that include manually selectable ISO speeds, we test the noise levels at each rating. Since the FinePix F440 has settings at 80, 100, 200, and 400, we tested noise at each level using a GretagMacbeth color chart and Imatest Imaging Software. Importing the individual results into a regression analysis, we determined the camera’s overall manual noise score: 3.6. The results are depicted in the chart below, with the horizontal axis representing the ISO ratings and the vertical axis representing the noise levels.

 As is evident in the graph above, the F440 shows significant decline in clarity when available light is diminished. This is common to many point-and-shoot digital cameras, and the result is often grainy, distorted images, even when the fixed flash is utilized.

Speed / Timing
Start-up/First shot (7.65)
The F440 takes 2.35 seconds to start up and take its first shot. This is about average for a compact digital camera and should not drastically hinder most point-and-shooters.

Shot to shot (6.71)
As was stated before, there is no burst or continuous shooting mode included on the F440, so users will have to rely on the camera’s 3.29 second shot-to-shot time.

Shutter to shot (8.4)
The FinePix may take its time between shots, but it doesn’t have much shutter delay. The camera takes 0.03 seconds from the time the shutter release button is pressed to the actual exposure. This is by far the most impressive performance feature on the F440.