Fujifilm F30 Optics

Zoom
Good results from the F30's 3x optical zoom lens.

The Fujifilm FinePix F30 optical zoom covers the equivalent of a 36-108mm range, which is fairly average among consumer digital cameras. Results were good at wide angle, though some corner softness and coma distortion was present. The 6.2x maximum digital zoom takes it out to 18.6x total, but with some loss of quality from the digital enlargement. Though details are a bit blurry with the digital zoom, there is still quite a bit of fine detail visible.

Macro
A small macro area with excellent detail and high resolution. Flash exposure was very uneven up close.

The Fujifilm FinePix F30's macro setting performed very well, capturing a very small minimum area of 1.88 x 1.41 inches (48 x 36 millimeters). Detail and resolution were both very good, though there's some softening in the corners from the lens. (Most cameras have some softening in the corners in macro mode.) The flash produced a very uneven exposure here, partially blocked by the lens with a strong overexposure in the top of the frame. (Plan on using external lighting for your closest macro shots with the F30.)

Distortion
Fairly low barrel distortion at wide angle, and no visible pincushion.

This is the tendency for the lens to bend straight lines outward (like a barrel -- usually at wide angle) or inward (like a pincushion -- usually at telephoto). The FinePix F30's 0.3% barrel distortion at wide angle is actually much lower than what we're accustomed to seeing on consumer digital cameras, which is quite good. At the telephoto end, I couldn't find a full pixel of either barrel or pincushion distortion.

Chromatic aberration
Moderate, small effect on images at edges.

Chromatic aberration is moderate at wide angle, showing about 5-6 pixels of bright coloration on either side of the target lines in the worst case corner. At telephoto, the number decreases to 3-4 pixels, and the effect isn't quite as bright. (This distortion is visible as a very slight colored fringe around the objects at the edges of the field of view on the resolution target.)

Corner Sharpness
Strong blurring in the left corners of the frame at wide angle, though better results at telephoto.

The Fujifilm FinePix F30 produced soft corners in a few shots. At wide angle, corners were very soft on the left side of the frame, compared to the center of the frame. At telephoto, the left corners showed some blurring, results were much better.

Coverage
Good accuracy with the LCD monitor.

The Fujifilm FinePix F30's LCD monitor peformed well here, with just a little above 100% accuracy at both zoom settings. Good results overall.