Fujifilm Finepix F50fd Review

The Fujifilm Finepix F50fd is a 12 megapixel compact digital camera with 3x zoom lens and 2.7 inch LCD screen. Successor to the popular F31fd model, which was renowned for its low-light performance, the new F50fd adds image stabilisation, an upgraded Face Detection system, new ISO 6400 mode and stylish ‘Aero curve’ design. The F50fd also retains the creative aperture-priority and shutter-priority modes, which makes it an appealing proposition for the photographer who wants more control. Is the Fujifilm F50fd still a great pocket camera? Read our 199th review to find out.

Website: Fujifilm Finepix F50fd Review

Published: Monday, October 29, 2007

Reader Comments

1. Great job on the review, sadly the same cannot be said for the F50fd.
   
   They could have easily re-issued the F31fd in an F50fd body or even just re-release the F31fd as an F32fd with the dual xD/SD drive.
   
   It is quite strange that they had such a competitive advantage in terms of noise and they are giving it up.
   
   I understand that they have to make gigapixel cameras to compete with everyone else in the electronics superstores, but that doesn't mean they had to give up on the 6mp "magic" sensor. After all they are releasing a whole lot of models left and right.
   
   Maybe they should offer the 6mp sensor to someone else, especially now that Toshiba is getting involved with the Fuji sensors. They could mass produce it!
   
   After all Sony just came out with the 6mp 60fps sensor and Casio is going to be the first one that publicly said they are going to use it. So memo to Fuji: revitalize the 6mp sensor Thank you

   1001 noisy cameras at 03:35pm on Friday, October 26, 2007

2. I found this macro shots pictures and tips :
   http://tinyurl.com/2e63fy

   xbrain at 03:22pm on Sunday, October 28, 2007

3. Unfortunately the F50 is one of those technological products that is a step backwards, specially when considering the existence of the F31fd. Sadly, from a marketing perspective the F31fd didn't sell that well anymore except to well-informed buyer and the number of uninformed buyers is far greater than the number of well-informed ones.
   
   However, the F50 does remain to be a good camera compared to most ultra-compacts. Yes, the noise did increase compared to the F31fd but most ultra-compact still struggle at ISO 400 and have less resolution. Look at the difference resolution makes with the F50:
   http://blog.neocamera.com/?p=96

   Itai at 09:24pm on Monday, October 29, 2007

4. The F31d sells now for $475 and up.
   
   There is just no satisfying explanation for Fuji giving up their single real advantage in the camera business. How stupid can the, certainly high-paid, management be?
   Why not offer a single camera for photographers (6 MP + antishake) among the twenty others designed for the marketing department????

   lutz at 10:27pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2007

5. Exactly! If they want to make 12mp cameras to compete in the electronics superstores, it doesn't mean they have to give up on their 6mp noise advantage cameras!
   
   Even more so since Fuji releases a larger number of models compared to their market share. Why not hold off on one of the similar models and do a new 6mp version?
   
   But at least we occasionally have some signs of common sense, for example, Ricoh went with the 10mp sensor for the GRD-2 instead of the 12mp because it was a better fit.

   1001 noisy cameras at 11:12pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2007

6. Hi "1001 noisy cameras"!
   
   Your "fight" against the 12MP Fuji cameras is very interesting. In one respect you are right, the 6MP 31fd is a very popular and useful model and it worth developing inside 6MP range. But on the other hand I think 50fd is the master between the fd models. Developing 50fd maybe wasn't the best step from the market view but it was the best step building Fujifilm image!
   There is a nice place exploring this model at: Finepix F50fd. You can find here specification, features, video reviews, user reviews.

   Kovacs at 01:35pm on Monday, November 19, 2007

7. Hi "Kovacs",
   
   I am not "fighting" against the F50fd, look at all the reviews, both user and professional! I'm not saying anything new here Why do you think the F50fd is the master between FD models? From a marketing perspective or from a number of megapixels perspective?

   1001 noisy cameras at 03:58pm on Monday, November 19, 2007

8. The F50d is the "master of fd models" ?
   Or is it more likley the master of disaster, the apex of cluelessness of a marketing department, or what else?
   If you perceive 12 MP as a step forward for a digicam, great - for some questionable reputation gain, perhaps, but primarily for clueless people with inferiority complexes.
   
   The real problem is that Fuji does not offer an updated, low noise, F31d - and this is obvious stupidity.
   
   Your link only seems to provide Fuji marketing blurb. I cannot find any real information there ???

   lutz at 07:01pm on Monday, November 19, 2007