Customer Reviews

Fujifilm Finepix Z100fd 8MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Pink)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Image quality is just as important to me as the convenience of a p&s, so when my latest Canon broke due to a lens that no longer retracted, I decided to try Fuji due to the rave reviews I've read about its imaging technology.

Putting it through the paces, pictures came out sharp and natural in outdoor conditions, but I was somewhat disappointed with the noise and blurring that still occurred in lower light conditions despite the image stabilisation. It's a similar fault in my old SD800IS, which I guess is a limitation of ultra-compact cameras generally. The difference in image quality between the Fuji and Canon was so small, that I think if you've decided to get a p&s then the Fuji is just as acceptable as any Canon in the same range. This is where the other features come into importance.

Pros:
- Non-retracting lens. This will not break or get stuck like the retracting lens that seems to afflict the Canon SD series so often. Coupled with Fuji's better customer service and 3yr standard warranty, I felt more comfortable about shelling out $$ for a Fuji than for a Canon.
- Sexy design. I chose the copper-tone, and it's unbelievable how beautiful it is - the Z100fd looks more like a Mont Blanc cigarette box than a camera. It truly fits in a pocket and is worthy of a home in a Louis Vuitton bag. Everything from the diagonally sliding lens to the slick metal and curved finishes will turn heads.
- Click-wheel is easy to use
- Auction mode. This allows the arrangement of 3 or 4 separate pics into one photo
- Takes SD cards
- Better photo viewing and management software than Canon SD

Cons:
- Frustrating manual. I am still trying to figure out how to change the resolution and how to download pics from the different folders in the camera
- Grainy, noisy pics in lower light. I would be happy with a 7MP or even 6MP camera if it means an improved imaging sensor.
- Slippery feel
- Lens in top corner meant the finger sometimes gets in the way
- Battery charger bulkier than Canon SD. Battery life seemed a little short

Overall - unbeatable looks, does everything you hope in a p&s, acceptable but obviously not SLR quality.

I'm not sure what's wrong with the cameras that the people who gave this one star had, but my Fugifilm z100fd camera is great. It's sleak and slim and takes great pictures and video. I love the fact that the lens doesn't have to go in or out, and the sliding cover is great for protecting it. I've had this camera for a good while and have no complaints thus far. If you're looking for a under $200 camera, I would strongly suggest considering this one.

I wanted a camera to replace my Fuji F460, which took great pictures, but the zoom buttons got stuck and wouldn't un-zoom without a lot of hassle.

I liked the features of this one, and that it was pink. I liked that it had more zoom than the F460.

I liked nothing about this camera, other than the pink. The menu is so awkward - when you change a menu setting, it dumps you right back to the view finder, completely out of the menu. Then you have to go back into the menu, scroll scroll scroll to the set up, navigate to another option you want to change, save and get dumped again completely out of the menu setup. Wash, rinse, repeat.

I could have lived with that if it took great pictures. It didn't. The pictures SUCKED. Maybe if you looked at it from far away, it looked ok. But zoom in to the full size, and the pictures are completely grainy. I had it on the highest quality setting, I tried using auto, manual, etc - nothing helped. I took identical pictures with this one and my F460, and there was just no comparison. The F460 were clear and sharp, and this one were all muddled and grainy.

I'm returning it. Don't waste your money unless you don't have great eyesight.

This is a great camera, I love the small compact frame and I carry it with me in my purse all of the time. The video is great, but you have to go through the menus to put it in video mode, they should have made a button for video. Still, a great camera and much clearer pics than the $400 Canon I had before!

GREAT low-cost camera .. not an Amazon buy (from an egg-cellent CA company : .. Bit over $100 ..free: shipping, 2GB SD card and soft case. I've owned it a bit over 6 months. I'm an experienced photographer, but never owned a digital camera before.

Perfect? No, for $450-800 get a better one ;) Others in $100 range may be competitive.. I can't say. It compares very favorably to ones my kids have owned that cost much more. This camera was released ~2 yrs ago.

Strong Points:
1. It works fine as a "point and shoot" in most normal situations.. so you don't HAVE to fiddle with a lot of techy details (BUT it has extensive "manual" capabilities and many MODES such as backlight etc)

2. Superb resolution (approximately 2x HD).. Should easily do an 8x10 photo. Some claim it is "poor" in some situations.. this is a misapplication.. usually in low light where they expect the "anti-shake" to function as a tripod.. sorry but cameras don't work like that.

3. It is EXTREMELY compact.. cigarette pack size and under 5 oz weight. It seems to be well built too.. I haven't babied it. I'm sure water and sand would do it in though

4. Also does decent video (up to 640x480 resolution), and will work perfectly well in an "average" lighted room.. good for casual filming and "youtube" etc.

5. It has 5x OPTICAL zoom (to 10x digital zoom) .. this is excellent for a unit that doesn't have a "snout type" camera lens that sticks out. Optical beats digital a lot. (Zoom appoximates a 35mm with 36-180mm)

6. The LCD seems decently sized and bright to me.. and I don't have very good eyes.. :) It cannot be "reversed" to see yourself while taking your own pic.

7. Works very well as a "copy camera" mounted on a lighted stand to copy documents or family albums, etc.. it has a very nice MACRO focus ability and a "text" exposure mode. It should be great for making shots for ebay etc too.

8. It has EXTENSIVE manual over-ride and settings options.. In order to use these well you MUST be familiar with the camera and its use (from practice and the manual.. which contrary to others I find competent and pretty thorough .. it isn't a tutorial though)

9. It comes with a cord to attach to a VCR (or computer card) and actually makes an ok video camera, though not portable in this mode.. and the viewfinder doesn't power up when you have an external device attached.
This is a "makeshift" mode and I'd not suggest it for normal use unless you get the "ac adapter" for it (IMO bit expensive for a $100 camera) It WILL NOT work on USB power.

10. I had no problems transfering pics from the camera to my pc. It can be done by either using the included USB cable or by taking the SD card out and plugging it into a reader on your pc. I've done both and had no problems. It "just happened"..I didn't have to do anything to make it work

11. It makes decent "action shots" too in decent lighting (auto racing etc) with shutter speeds up to 1/1000 sec and down to 4 sec. It doesn't have a "bulb" setting that I am aware of.

12. It has many "best of" scenrios ..1 flash, 1 not: you pick best.. several shots in a row, save last 3: .. "fast shot" sequences.. etc.. I'm sure something to suit your fancy is here

13. The non-extending lens make this both higher in reliability and more sleek.. but also gives it the higher f-stop restrictions.

It does have some negatives (not really "failings" .. just things that are worthy of note)

1. The lens is in the spot where your left hand normally goes and it takes awareness to keep your finger off the lens since it doesn't "stick out".. you would see this onscreen unless you're shooting "blind" like over your head.. I found it pretty easy to adjust.

2. This is NOT a "see in the dark" camera.. I say this not because it suffers in low light (it has up to 1600 ASA which is VERY respectable, but the f3.8 lens is the issue). Low light suggests tripods and timed exposures and people don't typically do that with a "point and shoot".. I have used it on a tripod and it works well. I have taken acceptable shots by candlelight if the subject is near the candle.. such as a birthday cake. It is an f3.8 lens.. expensive cameras will be f2.8 or even lower.
IF lower light conditions are IMPORTANT to you, I'd suggest GE-E1235 12MP Digital Camera with 3X Optical Zoom (Black) or the slightly older GE E1050TW-BK 10 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom and 3.0-Inch Touch-Screen LCD (Black). They're almost double the price and suffer the "innie/outtie snout lens" which I don't much like, but much better for lowlight with lenses around f2.4.

3. The software suite that it comes with (for using on your pc) is only ok.. to do any real custom work you will need to buy software, which you likely have anyways if you are doing this kind of work. For color balance, cropping, making slide shows, etc its fine. Picassa is a decent free option.

4. The battery is ok, but if you're going to use it for extended video you better get a second one so you can switch out if you need to. I've never had it stop on me, but I am aware of its limits.. In still mode it shouldn't be a problem. It recharges rather quickly.. 2 hours?.. I've not timed it. Careful shopping will yield an equivalent battery or better (ie: 2Pcs Battery+Charger for Fuji NP-45 NP-45A) for a very reasonably price.

5. You can put a TON of stuff on even a small SD card.. but the memory it comes with would probably not make most people happy for anything other than around the home where you can dump shots to your pc now and then. SD cards are CHEAP now.. buy one no matter what camera you get!

6. There is no way at all to manually focus this unit.. It is true that a wide angle lens makes this less obvious. No matter how good it's auto-focus is even with the "depress button pre-focus", many times it just doesn't cut it.. especially if shooting through glass or using the macro capability, etc. Many shots if examined closely just don't have that "razor sharp" focus I love. I have no idea how it determines focus... it may be sound or some digital process of "edges"

Another "observation".. neither bad nor good.. it took me a bit of study to figure out how to use the "screen menus" to see and sort and change your pics in the camera, but my daughter picked it up and immediately worked it in detail..I'm guessing its pretty standard for digital cameras.. as I said its my first.

My only two real criticisms of this unit are the high f-stop rating (the higher the "f" rating on a lens, the less light it lets in making for poorer "low light" performance) and no ability to manually focus it.

In summary.. FOR AVERAGE TO BETTER LIGHTING conditions and MANY 'point and shoot' applications, you can't do better. Plus, its such a feeling of FREEDOM to not have to fool with film and developers!! Excercise that freedom.. USE IT! PLAY WITH IT!! LEARN! :) It is capable, inexpensive, and flexible. It isn't a $600 camera for $100 but its a keeper. Buy it.

this camera is awesome!!! great zoom, easy to use...so easy a caveman could use it!!!! hahaha

I bought this camera about a month ago and my friend liked it so much she bought it herself. I even lie it better than my Dad's similar sony camera. It has lots of different modes even some of them are hard to access.
The face detection works really well and the 5x zoom is a big plus. It also has 8.1 mega pixels so that picture quality is good.

This camera looks very stylish and slim. I like the lighted Z and it has many different camera modes and takes great pictures.

This camera was amazing. Though it is most likely outdated by newer cameras, doing a quick scan I love the design of this one the most. Mine served me well and was mega durable and resisted many drops to the ground and even into a bonfire once. Makes me sad that just a few splashes of water killed it. Regardless it was a very good camera, very easy to carry around it became second-nature to always have it on me. Needless to say I enjoyed having this camera a lot and just because it looks so awesome, works well, and takes fast pictures I may consider getting another one or trying to find a way to fix my old one. I recommend this camera if you are the type of person who is please with aesthetics. The picture quality of this guy is also acceptable if not very good for being somewhat outdated.

Basically, great camera, super awesome looking, nice pictures, easy to carry around. Easily one of my favorite on the go digital cameras. =D

There are much better cameras out there for $200 - this one is not user-friendly in terms of navigating through pictures or menus. The battery doesn't last too long because you have to have the camera turned on while you upload pictures to your computer (if you don't use a cardreader and just use the USB cord), and the battery DOES NOT CHARGE while you have it hooked up to your computer. The only way to charge the battery is to take it out of the camera and put it into the AC charging unit, which is a pain to bring with you everywhere.

I got rid of this one and am opting for the Panaonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 when the price comes down a bit.