The Fujifilm FinePix F-series of digital cameras models which have been called "revolutionary" in terms of low-light performance in the compact class. Due to low image noise and very natural color even at very high ISO settings from Fujifilm's Super CCD sensor, the F-series cameras were the first compact cameras able to consistently take pictures in low light that could be considered "printable". Previously, the consumer digital camera market had not particularly targeted high speed or low light shooting without flash except through image stabilization technology, which at the time had only been implemented in bulkier prosumer models with powerful zoom capability.
Of all F-series models produced before February 2009, many people feel that the Fujifilm FinePix F31fd is the camera with the best image quality and best feature set.
The Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR (February 2009) has similar low light capabilities as the F31fd in pixel binning mode, but allows for double the resolution in good light. However, at the same focal length the lens of the F200EXR is about 1/2 stop slower than that of the F31fd. The key feature of the F200EXR is its very large dynamic range (estimated to be 11 stops) when used in its dual-capture mode .
Flagship line
F10
The first breakthrough model of the F-series, the 6.3-megapixel FinePix F10 , was announced in February 2005 and became available on April 30 of that year. The F10 was met with widespread critical acclaim and became a hit seller for Fujifilm. It was the first time that such low noise levels had been seen at ISO 800 and 1600 in a digital compact camera.
In addition to its ISO capability, the F10's success was also fueled by its excellent battery life, speedy shooting, and overall picture quality. One of the camera's weaknesses, however, was manual shooting. Lacking aperture and shutter speed priority modes, the F10 was mostly a point and shoot camera. Other criticisms included the proprietary dongle needed to make any connections to the camera and a relatively high level of purple fringing.
F11
The F10's sibling, the FinePix F11 , which was not released in the United States except in the state of Hawaii, added aperture and shutter priority modes but still did not provide full manual control. It also had a slightly improved LCD screen and a few other minor improvements to the F10.
F30
In May 2006, the F11 was succeeded by the FinePix F30 , which added 3200 ISO in full resolution using a 1/1.7" 6th generation Super CCD chip and 2nd generation "RealPhoto technology" including an "intelligent flash". Based on sample images, noise reduction was improved slightly over the F10/F11. Although there is definite noise in pictures taken at 3200 ISO, they are often usable, and the F30 was seen as another leap forward in low-light abilities for a compact camera. As one reviewer stated,
The F30's claim to fame is its high ISO performance, which is unmatched in the compact camera arena. It offers low light performance that approaches (but doesn't match) digital SLRs, and it's pretty good at the other stuff too.— Jeff Keller, DCResource.comThe F30 also added a new, much higher-resolution LCD screen, improved battery life, an improved menu system, and several new modes including "Natural Light & Flash" in which the camera shoots two pictures in quick succession, one with flash and one without, so the better picture can be chosen later.
F20
In July 2006, Fujifilm announced the FinePix F20 , a lower-priced, slightly scaled-down version of the F30 that maintained most of the same features but was geared more towards non-enthusiast users. Compared to the F30, the F20 had a lower-resolution LCD screen, lower capacity battery, a maximum ISO of 2000, and a few other changes to the body and menu system. It also lacked Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes. However, considering that the F20 kept all the features that made the F30 great, including the same SuperCCD sensor, high-ISO capability, Fujinon lens, and low-noise Real Photo image processor, the F20 was a superb bargain at a street price as low as $155 USD. A small number of F20s were sold under the names F20SE and F20 LE .
F31fd
In September 2006, the F30 was succeeded by the FinePix F31fd .
Compared to the F30, the F31fd has a better matrix meter (much less prone to blow highlight detail), a highly useful AUTO ISO 800 mode, and slightly less noise reduction, which preserves more detail in the resulting images compared to the F30.
Moreover, the F31fd features hardware-based Face Detection technology (which debuted with the introduction of the FinePix S6500fd), which allows the camera to automatically focus on and expose for faces. The F31fd also has a new IrSimple data transfer capability for wireless printing and photos viewing on IrSimple enabled TV sets.
As of this writing (February 2009, more than two years after its introduction) the F31fd is still considered the benchmark of the low-light compact small sensor cameras . It also performs remarkably well even against the Sigma DP1, the only compact camera with an APS-C sized sensor.
On eBay used F31fd models are in high demand and currently sells between 400-800 EUR, more than twice its initial price.
F40fd
In March 2007, Fujifilm released the F40fd, priced at $299. The F40fd is considered to be the successor to the F20, with many new features, most notably a bump to 8.3 megapixel resolution and face detection. The F40fd is noted for its relatively powerful flash; however, it shares the reduced battery capacity and reduced ISO of the F20 (2000 maximum, compared to 3200 on the F30/F31fd). The F40fd introduced support for SD memory cards (in addition to xD-Picture Card; i.e., it supports both). Support for SDHC memory cards was added by the free 1.10 firmware update available from Fujifilm's website. The F40fd is also sold under the name FinePix F45fd with only cosmetic differences.
The Fujifilm FinePix A800 and A805 share the same 8.3 megapixel Super CCD sensor and a similar lens to the F40fd.
F47fd
The FinePix F47fd is identical to the F40fd except its sensor is 9 megapixels. It is not firmware compatible with the F40fd but it has its own firmware update available to add support for SDHC memory cards.
F50fd
On July 26, 2007, FujiFilm announced the latest incarnation in the Finepix 'F' series, the F50fd . Succeeding its 2006 predecessor, the F31fd, this latest model is greatly improved over the F40fd. Boasting a 7th generation 12-megapixel Super CCD, a 2.7 inch amorphous silicon TFT LCD screen and a sleek new design, the F50fd is the first model in the Finepix 'F' series to feature optical-based image stabilization, referred to as Dual Stabilization Mode . Face recognition has been updated to 2.0, now featuring an automatic red-eye removal. No longer does the camera need a direct-frontal shot in order to identify a face, it can capture faces at different angles without the subject having to look straight to the camera. ISO sensitivity has also been extended up to 6400, from 3200 on the F31fd; however, comparisons show that the sensor used in the F30/F31fd/F20 has significantly greater sensitivity. The F50fd is slated for a September 2007 release at an MSRP of $300. A small number of F50fds were sold under the name F50SE .
F100fd
On 24 January 2008, FujiFilm announced F100fd . It features a 12-megapixel chip, a wide angle zoom (28-140mm equiv.), and ISO capabilities up to ISO 3200 (full resolution) or up to ISO 12800 at 3M recorded pixels. The F100fd does not contain aperture priority or shutter priority modes, hence it cannot be considered a successor of the F11, F30, F31, F50 models. The camera suffers from "pink banding" with in high ISO exposure photographs starting at ISO 400. The pink band can be seen on the left side of the photograph. FujiFilm attempted to address the situation with a firmware update. It should be noted not all F100's exhibit this problem, and in real world shooting, not artificial 'black space', it is not noticeable in the vast majority of cases.
A drawback of the new wide angle lens in the F100 that the associated aperture has only two positions: wide open and closed. The F100fd has no continuous aperture. For this reason the F100fd (or a successor with the same lens system) cannot be equipped with the creative shooting modes (i.e. aperture or shutter priority).
In December 2008, the F100fd won the Digital Photography Review "premium compact camera" group test because of its image quality.
F60fd
The Fujifilm FinePix F60fd was announced on 12 August 2008. It is almost id
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