Fujifilm FinePix F10 Review Posted
By
Mike Pasini, The Imaging Resource
(Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 20:31 EDT)
When I reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix E550 in September of 2004, I called it one of their best digital cameras to date. With the release of the FinePix F10 though, Fujifilm has clearly outdone all their earlier efforts, the E550 included.
Much of the improvement in the F10 has to do with how it handles light: It's much more sensitive and has much lower image noise than previous FinePix models, has good color and white balance performance, and focuses amazingly quickly, particularly in its optional "High Speed Shooting" mode. The F10's autofocus system also works well under dim lighting, something earlier Fujifilm cameras tended to struggle with. (Not only can the Fujifilm F10 focus down to about 1/4 the light level of typical city street lighting at night, but it has one of the brightest AF-assist illuminators I've seen to date.)
While the rest of the camera performs well, I think the combination of incredibly good high-ISO capability and very fast autofocus performance is the big news with this new model. Fast autofocus (i.e., a quick shutter response) is key to capturing fast-moving subjects such as sports action or active children. Fast action also implies a need for fast shutter speeds, and that's where the Fujifilm F10's excellent high-ISO capability really comes into play: High ISO is useful not only for after-dark shooting, but for capturing fast action in anything less than bright daylight. Being able to shoot very clean images at ISO 400 rather than ISO 100 means being able to use shutter speeds four times faster. That could be the difference between a blurred mess and a crisp image of your subject.
Bottom line, the Fujifilm FinePix F10 is not only a fine all-around digital camera, it's a great choice for sports shooters and harried Moms looking for a camera fast enough to keep up with their children. Definitely a Dave's Pick, and clearly one of Fujifilm's best efforts to date. Read our review of the Fujifilm F10 for all the details!
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