Fujifilm FinePix F-series

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The Fuji FinePix F10

The Fujifilm FinePix F-series of digital cameras includes several models which have been called "revolutionary"^[1] in terms of low-light performance in the compact class. Due to low image noise and good 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.

1 Flagship line
2 Other models
3 Notes
4 External links
5 See also

[edit] Flagship line

[edit] 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 met with widespread critical acclaim and became a hit seller for Fujifilm.^[2] It was the first time such low noise levels had been seen at ISO 800 and 1600 in a 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.

[edit] F11

The F10's sibling, the FinePix F11, which was not released in the United States, 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.

[edit] 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.com^[3]

The 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.

[edit] F20

In July 2006, Fujifilm announced the FinePix F20, a lower-priced, slightly scaled-down version of the F30 that maintains most of the same features but is geared more towards non-enthusiast users. Compared to the F30, the F20 has 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 lacks Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority modes.

[edit] Influence on the industry

The success of the F10 demonstrated the importance of low-light and high speed shooting, leading to inclusion of high ISO and IS technology in the 2006 compact camera lineups of other major digital camera manufacturers, such as Sony's DSC-W50 (high ISO), Panasonic's FX-01 and TZ1 (high ISO, IS), Canon's Ixus 800 IS/SD700 IS, and Olympus' mju/Stylus 810 (high ISO). Thus far, few (if any) of the high-ISO models are able to match the low noise levels of the Fuji at ISO 800, much less 1600 or 3200.

[edit] Other models

Prior to the current generation, Fujifilm released a number of cameras with the "F" designation. These included the compact, uniquely shaped F401, F402, F410, F440, and F450, the larger but well-regarded F700 and F810, and the F601 Zoom and F610. Some of these cameras had earlier versions of the Super CCD sensor, but Fuji had not yet refined the use of the sensor specifically to reduce noise, and had not yet combined other low-light performance features to make them stand out. The F700 and F601 Zoom, for instance, were capable of ISO 1600 but only in 1-megapixel mode. Most of these earlier cameras did not have autofocus assist beams, and none of them had remarkable battery life.

As of July 2006, the current F-series lineup also includes two other mid-level compact cameras (the F470 and the F650); although they are positioned above Fuji's entry-level A-Series cameras, they do not have the Super CCD, manual controls, or many other features of the F20/F30.