
Fujifilm FINEPIX F100fd (silver)
This compact camera from Fujjfilm offers a resolution of 12 megapixels and a host of great features.
Pros
- Superb image quality, advanced face detection mode, ISO 12,800, high-quality Super CCD HR VIII sensor, plenty of useful modes and features
Cons
- Slightly bulky, limited manual controls
Bottom Line
The FufiFilm Finepix F100fd is an ideal compact camera for casual photography enthusiasts. Boasting superb image quality, superior components and a highly impressive feature set, it delivers on almost every level. A slightly cumbersome design is the only significant failing.
-
Price
$ 449.00 (AUD)
Fujjfilm’s Finepix F100fd is the latest, shiniest addition to the company's prolific compact camera range. Equipped with a Super CCD HR VIII sensor and boasting a resolution of 12 megapixels, it’s currently the top dog in the company’s advanced F series. The F series has included some very impressive units over the years, with the recent FinePix F40fd being a standout example. Despite this highly distinguished company, the F100fd is probably the best F-branded model yet, which is quite an accolade.
The camera managed to impress us on all fronts, from image and build quality to looks and inbuilt features. With the exception of Canon’s IXUS 980 IS, it easily trumps every non-SLR camera we’ve tested in the past 12 months. (What’s more, it’s significantly cheaper than the Canon, making it a better buy overall.)
As with the other models in Fujifilm’s F series, the Finepix F100fd is aimed at casual users who would prefer not to skimp on any bells-and-whistles. While it lacks certain manual functions required by serious photographers — most notably aperture and shutter control — it remains a seriously feature-packed unit.
Included are a 5x optical zoom lens (28-114mm equivalent), seven ISO settings (ranging from ISO 100 to a truly massive ISO 12,800), 16 scene modes (including some interesting ones like Text and Natural Light & With Flash, which takes two photos in quick succession), built-in red-eye reduction, dual image stabilisation and an enhanced face detection mode (which is capable of recognising side-profiles for the first time). It even comes with a 320-pixel ‘blog’ mode, for quick hassle-free uploads to Web sites like Facebook.
Of course, all these fancy modes and features are essentially worthless if the camera’s image quality isn’t up to snuff. Thankfully, the Finepix F100fd acquits itself incredibly well in this regard, with some of the best results we’ve seen from a compact in this price range. Images remained crisp and well detailed in a variety of environments, with no evidence of over-sharpening and minimal purple fringing.
Colours were generally accurate and well balanced, although we did find tones to be slightly dark on occasion, with shadows smothering finer details. (That being said, the inclusion of several dynamic range modes should help to rectify this problem).
Noise remained minimal in our test shots up to ISO 800, which is on par with most high-quality cameras. The inclusion of an ISO 12,800 setting may seem like something of a gimmick, but it actually produced usable shots. While images were certainly blotchy, they remained free of digital artefacts and proved suitable for making small prints. Consequently, the F100fd may be the ideal camera to chronicle your nightlife with.
These impressive results are in large part thanks to the Super CCD HR VIII sensor, which uses similar technology to Fujifilm’s digital SLR range. This enables it to capture a broader dynamic range, ensuring your shots retain a good balance between tone and shadow (as mentioned above, you may need to fiddle with the advanced controls to get the best results though). The hefty pixel-count of 12 million will also allow you to enlarge prints without drastically affecting the image: handy if you plan on making posters.
The Finepix F100fd is quite stylish looking without being overly showy about it. Its sleek and shiny design should appeal to both genders and will look equally at home in a purse or the pocket of your jeans. With that being said, it’s not the most portable compact camera on the market, weighing in at a rather hefty 168g. Fans of ultra-slim compacts may therefore find it too cumbersome for their tastes.
We experienced no issues with the camera’s user interface. The menu is well laid out and easy to navigate, with a traditional wheel dial that toggles between shooting modes. The inclusion of both a digital and CCD shift stabilisation will help to reduce the blurriness in your images; this is particularly helpful when shooting at maximum zoom.
Brand Post

Most Popular Reviews
- 1 Miofive 4K Dash Cam review: This friendly road watcher is ‘here for you!’
- 2 Dell U3223QE review: A winning debut for an IPS Black monitor
- 3 Asus TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A review: This 4K monitor plays nice with consoles
- 4 Firewalla Gold review: Powerful home network security in a tiny box
- 5 Acer Aspire 5 review: An affordable laptop that’s enjoyable to use
Latest News Articles
- GoPro delivers Quik solution for videos and photos
- Canon embolden mirrorless offering with EOS R5 and R6
- GoPro spin off their lighting mod into its own act: the Zeus Mini
- Canon adds a new heavyweight to their DSLR lineup: the EOS-1D X Mark III
- New D-Link home security cameras feature onboard AI
Resources
Business Centre
The latest business news, reviews, features and whitepapers

Videos
Watch our video news and reviews from around the world

Guides
Comprehensive buying guides, features, and step-by-step articles

PCW Evaluation Team
Pedro Peixoto
Aruba Instant On AP11D

Set up is effortless.
Cate Bacon
Aruba Instant On AP11D

The strength of the Aruba Instant On AP11D is that the design and feature set support the modern, flexible, and mobile way of working.
Dr Prabigya Shiwakoti
Aruba Instant On AP11D

Aruba backs the AP11D up with a two-year warranty and 24/7 phone support.
Tom Pope
Dynabook Portégé X30L-G

Ultimately this laptop has achieved everything I would hope for in a laptop for work, while fitting that into a form factor and weight that is remarkable.
Tom Sellers
MSI P65

This smart laptop was enjoyable to use and great to work on – creating content was super simple.
Lolita Wang
MSI GT76

It really doesn’t get more “gaming laptop” than this.
Featured Content
- Top 10 best Android and Apple phones for under $600
- 25 Essential Party Games On PC And Console To Play With Family And Friends
- Mesh Wi-Fi vs Traditional Routers: Which is better?
- Which flagship TV is best? Sony 4K HDR Bravia 2016 versus LG 4K HDR OLED 2016
- 10 Blu-ray movies / Best looking Blu-ray movies