Small camera, big ISO

ubergeek

Yesterday I read DPReview's review of the Fujifilm FinePix F10 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilmf10Zoom/). This is possibly the first compact digicam (certainly the first I've seen) with reasonable high-ISO performance. It's not quite DSLR quality, but ISO 800 looks quite usable, and even 1600 could work in a pinch. The lens (36-108mm equivalent) is relatively fast (f/2.8-5.0) for this class of camera. It's also pretty quick in focusing and in general operation.

The F10 does have a few downsides--no manual controls at all (not even aperture priority, sigh); it takes xD cards (a bit more expensive than SD); and it has a weird "breakout box" with the USB and power adapter connectors on it. But if you can live with the limitations, having good high-ISO performance in a small package could prove very useful.

Cheers,
Jeremy

NHBubba

ubergeek wrote:

The F10 does have a few downsides--no manual controls at all (not even aperture priority, sigh);

I've not read the reviews, or seen the camera, but that would be a deal breaker right out of the gates! What fun is a camera w/ no manual controls?!

ubergeek

Sometimes the fun is in getting the shot--which you can't do if you left your SLR at home. I have a Pentax Optio S which is always with me. It only does automatic exposure, which is forgivable because it's gotten shots for me that I otherwise never would have been able to get, because I would have had no camera.

Cheers,
Jeremy

NHBubba

Different models for different folks..
True, however, what can I say? I want it all!

wxwax

Uber, thanks for posting this. I think many people will appreciate this camera's low light fidelity. It's about time pocket cameras were freed from the bonds of low-ISO shutter speeds!

ziggy53

Thanks Jeremy,


Hopefully the thing this means the most is that the manufacturers who want to compete with the F10 can add features, like manual modes, faster startup and processing, etc.

Andy

ziggy53 wrote:

Thanks Jeremy,


Hopefully the thing this means the most is that the manufacturers who want to compete with the F10 can add features, like manual modes, faster startup and processing, etc.

welcome to drgin, ziggy!

ziggy53

andy wrote:

welcome to drgin, ziggy!

Thanks Andy!