Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd
Buy A Camera Digital Camera
Stores Digital Cameras
Find any camera - compare prices - read reviews and
much more.
Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd
Mild update to the popular
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd, the FinePix S8100fd adds more resolution and a few key
firmware features updates to a package that looks like a carbon copy of its
predecessor. Given that the S8000fd has been on the market less than a year,
seeing a relatively light visual and functional update was hardly surprising.
Still, we were impressed with the S8000fd, and with a few refinements and some
crucial carry-overs, the new model looks to be an even more impressive camera
from a features standpoint.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
FinePix S8100fd
As noted, the biggest change in the update is the move to a 10.0 megapixel,
1/2.3-inch CCD sensor. Sitting in front of this is the familiar wide-angle 18x
zoom lens that made such an impression with the S8000fd. A true advanced point
and shoot, the S8100fd packs the full range of manual exposure modes in addition
to a bevy of auto shooting features.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
FinePix S8100fd
In total, the S8100fd offers six basic shooting modes via its mode dial.
Auto: Limits the range of user controls to a few flash modes, color mode
options, image quality, and macro mode options
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
FinePix S8100fd
Program: Permits user to select burst shooting, auto focus mode, white balance,
ISO, intelligent exposure, image size and LCD mode
Aperture Priority: User selects aperture; camera calculates shutter speed for
correct exposure
Shutter Priority: User selects shutter speed; camera calculates aperture for
correct exposure
Manual: User selects both shutter speed and aperture
Scene: The S8100fd features four scene style presets, including a stabilization
setting and two Natural Light options, on the mode dial; thirteen other
situation presets are housed under the scene position on the dial
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
FinePix S8100fd
Movie: Permits capture of video at a maximum size/frame rate of 640x480/30 fps
Fuji's Natural Light modes, which optimize for shooting in ambient light and, in
the flash mode, also take multiple pictures to allow the shooter to pick the
best from among them are here, as is a somewhat less useful Zoom Bracket mode:
essentially, the feature creates three progressively tighter crops of a shot,
allowing the user to pick the "zoom" level that works best for the subject. Of
course, simply cropping down a shot is nothing that can't be just as easily
accomplished out of camera or even in the S8100fd's playback menu.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
FinePix S8100fd
Video options with the FinePix are limited to the basics, and the fact that zoom
and focus as well, it seems are locked from the first frame negates one of the
primary benefits of having that huge zoom lens where shooting video is
concerned. Audio performance is only average as well, meaning that if you're
looking for a camcorder replacement, this probably isn't it.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
FinePix S8100fd
In a tacit admission to the dominance of SD memory these days among consumer
cameras, the S8100fd is the latest Fuji to support dual memory card types,
either SD/SDHC or the Fuji/Olympus proprietary xD-Picture Card format - from its
single slot. In testing, both types worked equally well, though as noted
throughout the review some speed benefits can be realized from the more
fleet-footed SD format.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
The all-plastic S8100fd strikes a nice balance between solid feel and light
weight. Lightly textured, apparently high-quality plastic is used throughout,
with rubber inserts providing additional grip in key areas. Visually identical
to the S8000fd, the updated model retains the mini DSLR appeal of its
predecessor.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
The zoom toggle is large, well-placed, and well-made, as is the slide-style
power switch though the slide-and-return motion to power on the camera can be a
bit clumsy.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
Buttons and doors are a bit flimsy feeling by comparison, and I especially wish
the d-pad felt nicer, but on the whole there's very little to complain about
where build quality is concerned.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
Finally, Fujifilm's lens cap design works better than expected. It's a simple
slide-over arrangement that doesn't have any kind of latch to secure it, making
it seem like it might be prone to falling off and exposing the lens to damage.
For the most part, however, the cap stays put, and the lack of a locking tab
means that the lens can easily push the cap out of the way when the camera is
powered on. Just remember to tether the cap to the strap lug!
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
Ergonomics and Interface
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd
I'm coming around to the idea that Fujifilm on screen interfaces are something
of an acquired taste. The menu structure tends to be different from just about
anything else out there, but once where things are housed clicks for you, the
system begins to make a little more sense than initial impressions would
suggest. The most bewildering part of the design is undoubtedly the relocation
of a few parameters ISO, image quality, etc. to the F menu, while all other
camera controls are called up from the similar but separate main shooting menu
quite logically, via the MENU button.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
Quirks aside, menu bloat is at a minimum with the Fuji, making using the S8100fd
a much more pleasant experience than what I've come to expect from feature-heavy
ultra zooms.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
Ergonomically, the S8100fd has a nice feel that should work well for a broad
cross-section of shooters. The deep, rubber coated grip and thumb rest provide a
logical, comfortable setup for one-handed shooting. The wide lens barrel
provides an ideal position for the left hand to help stabilize the S8100fd when
needed. All in all, the mini DSLR design works on the relatively lightweight
S8100fd for the same reasons that it works on larger, heavier cameras: neutral
balance and easy access to controls are both covered.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
The S8100fd's button layout is fairly standard. One interesting exception is the
inclusion of an auto crop button that takes the functional place of the delete
key up on the d pad when in shooting mode: tap the button and a blue frame
appears within the larger viewfinder space.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
Cycling through one of four possible crop boxes (including two
portrait-orientation boxes superimposed on the camera's default landscape
orientation, like the one seen above) allows shooters to compose lower
resolution images that are already trimmed to the correct framing without having
to crop them post shot. Again, nothing that couldn't be accomplished easily
otherwise, but a unique function just the same.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
Display Viewfinder
FinePix S8100fd
A 230,000 dot, 2.5 inch LCD graces the back panel of the S8100fd. Although it's
not huge and it doesn't provide any swivel rotation features, basic
functionality is generally impressive. Fluidity is excellent in good light and
remains surprisingly smooth in low light. Color and contrast are good, though
the screen does appear to be somewhat prone to wide area washout around blown
highlights in a composition. This minor annoyance is more than balanced out in
my opinion by the addition of everything that makes on screen composition so
nice: live histograms, a composition grid, as much shooting information as
anyone could ever need.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
Eleven levels of manual screen gain on the S8100fd provide a range of options
for bumping up or down LCD power as needed, but shooting outdoors still left me
wishing for more punch and wider viewing angles from the screen at times. Having
an electronic viewfinder mostly mollifies this concern, however.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
The S8100fd's EVF is a high resolution, 230,000 dot unit with manual diopter
correction. Colors appear to be a little softer through the viewfinder, and in
spite of lots of resolution there's still some typical EVF graininess.
Nonetheless, all shooting information that appears on the main screen, including
histograms and composition grids, can be replicated on the EVF. Note that the
electronic viewfinder is used for shot composition only; all image review is
diverted to the main LCD.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
One interesting image review feature on the S8100fd is the ability to display
the last three images taken along the sidebar next to the live composition view.
Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.
FinePix S8100fd.
It may not change your shooting life, but being able to see the last few shots
taken is a nice tool for fine tuning shot composition or getting multiples of
the same shot. Being able to pull it up with a few cycles of the DISP button
makes it that much more convenient.
FinePix S8100fd
Buy the
FinePix S8100fd
The best prices for the FinePix S8100fd.
The best place to buy the FinePix S8100fd.
Find stores that sell the FinePix S8100fd.
Compare prices on FinePix S8100fd.
Comparison shop prices for FinePix S8100fd.
Find any
camera made, the
cheapest price on all
cameras, consumer written
reviews and more.
Check out the
newest camera models.
Comparison shop camera's from certified,
secure
camera store's across the internet.
Camera shop by prices, name brand, type of camera and more.
Ask questions about your next
camera purchase and find the exact
camera for you.
Learn about
camera lens,
mega pixels,
budget cameras and more.
Almost every
camera store on the internet is listed here.
Each camera store has live updated prices so you never pay too much.
Visit any
camera store or compare camera prices on a camera of interest.
Buy A Camera Visit Camera Stores Compare Camera Prices Camera Reviews
Find out more at
Cheapest
Prices Search Engine
FinePix S8100fd
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi
Canon Digital Cameras
Sony Digital Cameras
Kodak Digital Cameras
Nikon Digital Cameras
Olympus Digital Cameras
Kodak EasyShare Cameras
Sony Cybershot Cameras
Canon PowerShot Cameras
Nikon Coolpix Cameras
Panasonic Lumix Cameras
View all brands...
View all camera links
Film Cameras,
Single Use Cameras,
Rangefinder Cameras, Digital Camera Accessories
Camcorder Accessories,
Flash Memory,
SD Card,
CF Card,
MicroSD Card
Photography Accessories,
Filters and Filter Accessories,
Studio Lighting and Accessories,
Studio Backgrounds & Backdrops
Camera Lenses,
Sigma Lenses,
Canon Lenses,
Nikon Lenses,
Lens Converters
Flashes,
Film,
Tripods,
Optics,
Binoculars,
Rangefinders,
Telescopes
Cameras, Digital Cameras, Secrets & Tips On How To Buy
Cameras.
How to
buy a digital camera and save time & money.
To find the camera that is right for you is very easy.
Go to the list of certified merchants that sell cameras and you will find every
camera made.
Camera Stores.
From the camera store you can find answers to any questions about cameras you
may have.
Each camera has a list of benefits and features for every camera made.
You can find and read consumer written reviews on cameras & reviews made by the
manufacture.
Next you can compare cameras against each other.
Compare camera prices.
Find the lowest price for any camera made.
Find the total cost, including shipping, to your address.
Compare camera prices by name brand, price ranges, type of camera and many more
ways.
Buy FinePix S8100fd.
Compare FinePix S8100fd.
FinePix S8100fd reviews.
The best prices for the FinePix S8100fd.
The best place to buy the FinePix S8100fd.
Find stores that sell the FinePix S8100fd.
Compare prices on FinePix S8100fd.
Comparison shop prices for FinePix S8100fd.
Compare
Camera Prices
Buy Digital Cameras
Camera Buying Guide
Save To Your Favorites - Always
Save Time & Money!
Submit URL
1998 2009 Cheapest Price Search Engine ®