Product Reviews

Fuji's FinePix F10 is a 6 megapixel digital compact with a difference. It's the first compact digital camera we've come across with manual ISO settings that rise to a useable 1600 ISO at full resolution. This gives you a greater advantage in low light conditions over conventional compact digital cameras, and even surpasses those models equipped with electronic or optical image stabilisers.

The FinePix F10 also packs its new Real Photo Processor and bucks the trend for smaller CCDs, adopting a larger-than-average 1/1.7in type, which accounts for the increased sensitivity and lower noise levels. Fuji has also dropped the unnecessary interpolation of the maximum resolution, so the F10 is a 6 megapixel camera with a genuine output of six million pixels.

For a camera with such a strong sense of purpose, its design is unassuming. Its build quality is every bit as good as Canon's Digital IXUS 50, but at a hefty 200g, it's neither as compact nor as light as the Canon model (although, you should bear in mind that weight includes the class-leading 500-shot battery and 16MB xD card).

There's a whopping 2.5in monitor on the back of the camera, but there's no room left for an optical viewfinder. And with a resolution of 115,000 pixels, the screen isn't as detailed as some. Nevertheless, it has an ultra-rapid refresh rate of 60fps, giving the effect of near real-time viewing and enhancing the feeling of responsiveness. Fuji also claims the screen adjusts brightness automatically

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to suit ambient lighting, which it does very quickly, although not any better than rival models. What we do like, though, is the option to view the last three frames while previewing the next.

To our relief, the F10 doesn't have any unnecessary shooting modes. With just point-and-shoot auto, program with manual options, five scene presets and a 640 x 480 pixel, 30fps video-clip option, it's pretty basic. Sadly, there's no manual aperture or shutter control, but of the five useful scene-based alternatives, Fuji has wisely included both sports and natural-light shooting modes.

With the flash set to off, the camera opens the 3x optical lens to its widest aperture (f/2.8-5.0) and adjusts the sensitivity from 80 to 1600 ISO depending on the lighting.

The controls on the rear are basic and manual control is limited, but at least you can choose from various focusing, metering and continuous-shooting modes, as well as alter white-balance, exposure compensation and sensitivity. The F10 also boasts a valuable high-speed shooting option. It limits the focusing range slightly, but speeds up autofocus function considerably.

While we were impressed with the FinePix F10's responsiveness, we have a few misgivings. First, the long-lasting battery wasn't held securely, and we weren't keen on a single terminal adaptor to provide connection to a TV and Mac for output as well as the mains for recharging. We were also a little disappointed in the 7.5cm macro and Fuji's new menu layout; it might be simpler to navigate, but execution is fiddly.

Nevertheless, we have no complaints about image quality, even at 1600 ISO. Sure, there is some noise, but it's no worse than some we've seen at 400 ISO, although we did notice occasional streaking, and there was some blooming at other times. Ultimately, though, the Fuji FinePix F10 is a great performer, especially in unfavourable lighting. With such a super-fast response and wide range of sensitivities at its disposal, the F10 is an excellent point-and-shoot camera and is one of the best currently available.