Fujifilm FinePix V10

Value
The Fujifilm FinePix V10 creates a new genre for itself with its gaming feature. So if consumers are looking for a great compact digital camera with video game features, this is the only one out there. The 5.1-megapixel digital camera costs $349. This is a bit much for an automatically oriented camera, but users are also paying for the sleek, portable design, the interesting features, and the Super CCD-HR technology. There are cheaper models that have 5.1 megapixels, but most ultra-slim stylish digital cameras are in the $349 price range.

Comparison to the Fujifilm FinePix F10
The Fujifilm FinePix F10 was released last year with the same 5th generation Super CCD-HR and Real Photo Processor. The difference is that the F10 has 6.3 megapixels on that CCD and the V10 fit 5.1 megapixels on it. The V10 has a longer zoom lens, as the older F10 has a more traditional 3x optical zoom lens. The F10 had more traditional looks as well. Instead of the square shape, the F10 had a boring rectangular metal housing that wasn’t distinctive at all. It did have a 2.5-inch LCD screen, but the screen had an inadequate 115,000 pixels on it. The V10 made a vast improvement on the LCD, but because of that its battery life suffered greatly. The FinePix F10 is very efficient with a 500-shot battery life. The F10 and V10 have the same large ISO range. The Fujifilm F10 performed very well when tested for noise and accurate colors. It also proved to be very speedy. Its startup time is about the same as the V10 at a second and a half. Its burst mode is faster than the V10 at 2.2 frames per second. The shutter lag is about the same for both cameras: hardly there at all. The F10 had similar exposure modes with a few more options (like the sorely missed manual white balance mod), but the new V10 adds a scene mode to the list: Natural Light & With Flash. The Fujifilm FinePix F10 can be found for about the same $350 price online now.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – With an auto mode that overpowers all controls and a decent zoom lens, point-and-shooters will appreciate the V10. It is fairly easy to use and has perks like a huge 3-inch LCD screen to attract the masses. Above all else, even its auto mode takes great pictures.

Budget Consumers – If consumers are on a tight budget, they may have to forego the luxury of having video games on their digital camera. There are plenty of other 5-megapixel digital cameras that sell for less than $349.

Gadget Freaks – The Fujifilm V10 could be the next big thing for gadget freaks. It has video games on it and although they are quite primitive, they will keep gadget freaks busy at a bus terminal.

Manual Control Freaks – There are some pros and cons to this camera’s manual controls, but overall freaks may have to look elsewhere. The most manual mode on the camera allows access to the white balance presets, but there is no true manual setting. Still, users can control the ISO from 64-1600 in any mode – this is much farther than most compact models.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists – This segment of the market tends to be mainly comprised of purists who will probably snub their noses at the concept of converging video games with digital cameras.