Digital Home Thoughts: FujiFilm FinePix S100FS Review

"Fujifilm are calling the new FinePix S100FS "its most advanced DSLR-styled camera to date", and a glance at the headline specs quickly reveals why. The S100FS offers a 14.3x 28-400mm manual zoom lens, optical image stabilisation, 11 megapixel 2/3” Super CCD sensor, 2.5-inch tiltable LCD screen, electronic viewfinder, ISO 100-10,000, 3fps continuous shooting, wide dynamic range of 100-400%, and a range of Film Simulation modes. Phew! With no entry- or mid-range DSLRs in their product range, Fujifilm have developed the S100FS from the ground-up to challenge the likes of the Canon EOS 450D, Nikon D60 and Olympus E-420 DSLR models. And it certainly has a similar price-tag - the official £529 / $800 is a lot of money for a compact camera. Gavin Stoker discovered if the Fujifilm FinePix S100FS is a viable alternative to a true DSLR."

This camera really does look like it could be a vialbe DSLR stand-in. There are some downsides - slightly slow performance, poor battery life and a high price point to name three. So given these negatives, which are normally deal breakers for most people, the fact that the camera still got a 4.5 score out of 5 got me intrigued. I have not played with this camera yet (might have to go down to Adorama or B&H this weekend to see it) but it seems to have excellent usabillity, image quality and supports most features that someone who would want an entry-level DSLR.