Fujifilm FinePix S100FS Review

The bridge-style Fujifilm FinePix S100FS compact camera seems to offer everything that you get in a DSLR camera, and more. There’s a 28-400mm lens which should cover most eventualities, 11 megapixel sensor, RAW mode, tilting LCD screen, and a full range of creative shooting modes. And that’s not even scratching the surface. Gavin Stoker got to grips with the Fujifilm S100FS to find out if it really is a DSLR in compact camera clothing…

Website: Fujifilm FinePix S100FS Review

Published: Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Reader Comments

1. Just a query re Chromatic Aberration? Other reviews have singled this out as a big problem for an otherwise top rate camera. You don't mention it and yet in the CA section of the review, it does look quite pronounced and ugly.
   Your thoughts would be appreciated as I am thinking of buying this camera.
   Thx.

   cosmo at 12:18pm on Tuesday, July 15, 2008

2. Hi Cosmo (great name)
   
   We chose some fairly extreme (and close up) samples of CA to post for that section of the review - which means that while for the sake of completeness we wanted to include such, that's as 'bad' as it gets.
   
   Directly compared to the 'super zoom' likes of the Sony H50, the Fuji acquitted itself well for us. A 'big problem' therefore sounds like overstatement.

   Gavin at 02:40pm on Tuesday, July 15, 2008

3. Why, in a review comparing a point and shoot camera to a DSLR, do you not have images showing results from more demanding challenges, such as birds in flight or indoor sports, or flashless (or flashed (bounced, naturally)) shots of people in a church? All these static daylit scenes are an absolute yawnfest. Any camera can manage to capture those, reasonably well. Where are the images from parties, or in the local pub, or any evening event?
   
   Given an easy run these pretenders can deliver great results, but to suggest they come even close to the capabilities of a DSLR is, IMHO, pretty absurd.
   
   What benefit is 3 FPS performance if the AF tracking is not up to the job? In fact, where are the review comments about AF tracking performance?
   
   I'm not having a go at this review in particular but I'm in the market for a worthy P&S;to supplement my DSLRs and I am yet to find anything that comes even close to acceptable. The Canon G9 is probably the best of a bad bunch but it is still woeful for anything involving action.
   
   When making comparisons with DSLRs I feel your reviews should make the gulf between the two breeds to be abundantly clear. Nobody should be left with the impression that a P&S;can possibly match what a DSLR offers. You said in your newsletter - "The bridge-style Fujifilm FinePix S100FS compact camera seems to offer everything that you get in a DSLR camera, and more.". Really? What about creative control of DOF? I'd say it offers substantially less.

   Womble at 04:30pm on Tuesday, July 15, 2008

4. Where are the test and sample images?
   None popped up.

   Jim Grossman at 11:18am on Saturday, July 19, 2008

5. Jim, they are definitely there and working.

   Mark Goldstein at 09:13am on Monday, July 21, 2008

6. I really like the fact that this site shows so many full sized sample images, but I have to wonder how the reviewer missed the horrible amounts of Chromatic Aberration in some of the images, and gave this camera a "5" for image quality.
   
   One such example is the photo of the Daisey flower. The petals on the left are practically GLOWING in purple along all their edges. Even the Chromatic Aberration filter in Paint Shop Pro could not rid the image of them. It's nearly as pronounced in other images as well.
   
   I've been using digital cameras since the mid 1990s, and have owned every major brand (including Fuji). I'm not partial or prejudice against any brand. But this model has what I'd easily classify as the worst Chromatic Aberration problem I've ever seen on ANY camera from any maker. Literally - ever. I do enjoy your reviews, but think you need to go back and re-evaluate your rating for image quality. Fuji missed the mark on this one, and even if sold for $300.00 U.S., I would personally not buy one.

   Greg H. at 02:23am on Sunday, August 17, 2008

7. Hi,
   
   I do own a p&s;canon a620 bought 3 years ago and still performing well. But I would like to buy another one
   
   either (panasonic FZ50 or fuji s100fs)
   or (Nikon D60 or Canon 450D). these cameras are priced similar ( in India) with canon slightly costlier.
   
   Though I find Canon 450D superior in performance, I am leaning towards the other category and that is were the dilema actually lies.
   
   which of the two - panasonic FZ50 or Fuji s100fs performs better in terms of image quality particularly during low light (night scenes) at high ISO - I do not intend to carry a tripod to community and family functions which is where I would be need the camera most. this is where my old cameras performance is lacking.
   
   Can any one with more experience help?
   
   regards
   suresh

   suresh at 07:16pm on Monday, November 10, 2008

8. Me thinks the Reviewer must work for Fuji , my Fuji s5600 zoom will produce better than this camera , those CA's their dreadful

   Barry at 11:19am on Monday, December 22, 2008