Fujifilm has developed an interesting new image sensor technology, and the FinePix F200EXR is the first model to use this new hardware. The new sensor can halve its 12-megapixel resolution, and switch into either a mode designed for lower image noise or one to increase dynamic range, to maintain detail in high-contrast photos.

In our lab testing, we tested the efficiency of these new modes. The noise reduction system improved results above ISO 800, but not by a huge amount. The dynamic range mode pulled a decent amount of extra information out of over-exposed areas, though. This being a new technology, we hope that future generations are more effective than this.Above and beyond the new sensor, w
We were very impressed by the level of control that the F200EXR offers. At reduced resolution, it can take photos at up to ISO 12800. There are aperture priority, shutter priority and manual modes. It also has wide variety burst modes, but they're overly complicated to deal with, and if you want full resolution photographs, the speed is quite low.

One other issue we had was that the user manual didn't do an adequate job of explaining many of the features of the F200EXR, especially the different sensor modes.

Performance (read in-depth performance coverage at DigitalCameraInfo.com)

In our lab testing, the Fuji F200EXR did quite well in terms of color accuracy, image noise (though it did get a bit high above ISO 800) and resolution. We were especially impressed with this last section, as the camera had very low distortion, and excellent sharpness. However, the F200EXR struggled in video testing, with sub-par color accuracy and sharpness.

Comparisons (read in-depth comparisons at DigitalCameraInfo.com)

We compared the Fuji F200EXR to the Canon PowerShot SD970 IS, the Casio Exilim EX-FC100 and the Sony Cyber-shot T900. The Sony is a sleek little touch-screen model, with a very slim profile; the Casio offers high speed photography and slow-motion video; and the Canon is a straightforward and well designed compact camera.

The Fuji performed quite well for color accuracy and image noise levels, comfortably close to the cameras that scored the highest these areas. Its strong point was resolution, where it had significantly less distortion than the other cameras, and also sharper images. However, compared to the Sony and Canon, its image stabilization didn't work nearly as well, and it had much lower video color accuracy than any other model.

The one other significant advantage the Fuji has over these similarly priced models, is that is has a proper suite of manual controls. There's an aperture priority mode, shutter priority mode and full manual mode, which none of the others offer. If you value the ability to tweak settings, this is a significant consideration.