PhotographyBLOG Review: Fuji Finepix F700 Zoom

#1 David

In regards to dynamic range, the camera does NOT make use of the R sensor when creating a JPEG in the camera. This seems to be a design or manufacturing flaw.

Essentially what i have been able to extract the S and R sensor data out of the raw file and compare them with the JPEG image from the camera with the same settings.

The results are startling as the R sensor does give a 400% increase in dynamic range.

BUT....i have not seen an image from the camera in JPEG that makes any use of the R sensor. That is, you can get the same picture from the raw file using only the S sensor.

For more information visit this thread

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1012&message=6778679

and this one more subtle example

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1012&message=7044396

and don't take my word for it, if you have a F700 you can duplicate these results using this software

http://www.geocities.com/purdyd/F700Raw6.zip

My only goal in this is to try to get Fuji to acknowledge this problem and fix it.

David

1:17 am - Saturday, December 27, 2003

#2 Mark Goldstein

Thanks for that excellent explanation David - no wonder I didn't see any real benefits from the F700 then, as I only shot JPEG files during my review.

1:08 pm - Saturday, December 27, 2003

#3 JD

Many good features but the G4 left me less impressed in some respects. You have to add to the price an SD memory card as it comes with only 8MB built in, plus you'll need to buy rechargeable AAs and a charger. How much would that add? Perhaps up to £50. It is also not (contrary to advertising) an aluminium camera as rear half is actually covered in carefully-disguised silver plastic.

On the other hand, the macros function is fantastic and the 28mm lens is inspiring at times.

4:26 pm - Friday, January 30, 2004

#4 Jason

Thanks for a great review. I am considering buying an F700 and I found this really helpful.

One thing though - other readers would be better checking the F700 prices at cameratag.co.uk because they are listing retailers much cheaper than you found at Kelkoo.

Thanks again.

11:39 pm - Tuesday, February 10, 2004

#5 Mark Goldstein

You're right Jason - only £270 at Warehouseexpress.com. Mind you, my review was pre-Christmas - maybe the prices have dropped slightly since then?

11:52 pm - Tuesday, February 10, 2004

#6 Bob

Perhaps the chromatic aberation arises when the objective lens of the digital camera is not a doublet of optical excellence.

4:05 am - Tuesday, February 24, 2004

#7 stuart wilson

Thanks for the info and very detailed report it will help me in my final decision.

4:55 pm - Wednesday, March 3, 2004

#8 Jeff Puritz

I guess that all camera reviews are relative to ones experience and which cameras one compares to.
I was extremely disappointed with my $1100US Nikon coolpix 5000, it is painfully slow(not possible to take kids or pet shots unless they are sleeping), vaunted 256matrix metering works poorly, useless in direct light due to highlite clipping, poor low light performance, etc.
did i mention the 1280x960 super fine mode which never worked and was never fixed by Nikon?

I was shocked and delighted with my $300US F700, the camera is remarkably fast, exposures are spot on, I have not had any issues with clipped highlites, menus are clear and well organized.

In side by side comparisons the Fuji compares well w/the Nikon 5Mp pics for resolution, for color etc the Fuji blows the Nikon away.
Kids and pets running around, no problem w/the Fuji.

Just another opinion!

Regards,
Jeff

1:42 am - Wednesday, March 24, 2004

#9 phil

I got the camera for 250 pounds and its fantastic! I've ocmpared it to my friend's canon and olympus cameras that were over 300 pounds and this one seems better, easier to use and produces the photos and video i want better than the other cameras

9:16 pm - Sunday, April 4, 2004

#10 sean allen

As a Digi-novice I am looking for my first camera. Your site certainly is very well set out and informative… Thanks

9:36 am - Sunday, June 27, 2004

#11 Jim Vanelli

Your F700 vs other digicam comparison photos were shot at different times and apparently with considerably different lighting. In a couple of them we have blue sky. In others we have almost full clouds. How do you expect to compare dynamic range under such circumstances?

Based on some other comparisons I've seen, I'm inclined to believe Fujifilm's claim of two stops more dynamic range -- or at least something very nearly that. In order to compare sensor dynamic range, it is essential that ISO, exposure, and lighting are set so that the each sensor 'sees' an equally contrasty scene.

I wish Fujifilm would do some other things differently, but the SR CCD sure looks like a plus to me.

-jv

2:27 am - Saturday, July 17, 2004