Fuji FinePix F30 Digital Camera Review
By Richard Baguley
Reviewed.com Editorial Staff
December 01, 2006
The Fujifilm FinePix F30 is a compact 6.3-megapixel camera with a 3x zoom lens that produces sharp, clean images and has an impressive maximum ISO rating of 3200. Originally launched at $349, this compact camera can now be picked up for around $260.
The F30 is small and light; just over an inch thick and 2.2 inches high. It weighs in at just over 5 ounces, and the metal case feels robust - this isn’t a camera that’s going to crack from sitting in a book bag. On the back of the case is a 2.5-inch LCD screen that has a resolution of 230,000 pixels. Although the 2.5-inch screen is smaller than some similar cameras, such as the Kodak EasyShare-one with its 3-inch screen, it is big enough for checking images and is sharp enough to reproduce fine details in images. We prefer to see a smaller, sharper screen than a big, fuzzy one. The sharpness of the screen is especially useful as there is no optical viewfinder; you have to rely on the screen to compose shots. If you miss the nostalgia of looking through an optical viewfinder, the compact Canon SD700 still has one - and it includes optical image stabilization too, something the F30 doesn't have. The 8.1-megapixel Sony W100 includes an optical viewfinder and comes with 64 MB of internal memory for the same $349 retail price.
The controls are arranged to the right of this screen, and they are well laid out and easy to use. We did find, however, that you really need two hands to use the camera properly; the combination of the small size and the heavier parts (such as the lens) being on one side of the camera means it has a tendency to tilt. It is possible to shoot with one hand, but it’s much more comfortable and practical with two.
Most of the controls are accessed through the easy-to-use on-screen menu, but Fuji did put several commonly used controls (such as ISO, image quality, and Color mode) in a menu accessible by pushing the designated “F” button on the back of the camera. This works well, making it quicker to change these settings.
There are 10-Scene modes, including the rather confusingly named “Picture Stabilization” mode. This sounds like it should activate some sort of image stabilization feature, but all it really does is increase the ISO setting, up the shutter speed, and activate the flash. It works, but don’t be fooled into thinking it uses any sort of optical or electronic image stabilization that other cameras offer. The Canon SD700 IS, for instance, has an optical image stabilization system that physically moves elements in its 4x lens to compensate for shaky hands.
When we tested the F30, the images were very sharp, but color was a problem. Colors looked flat and dull, lacking the vividness that makes images stand out. Although many cameras go too far in oversaturating images, the F30 goes the other way, producing gloomy colors that don’t bear much resemblance to reality. The images didn’t have much noise in them even at the incredible maximum ISO setting of 3200. This camera would be a good choice if you often shoot images in low light.
One major problem with the Fujifilm FinePix F30 is startup time: it took 2.25 seconds to go from hitting the power button to taking the first photo. We measured the shutter delay at 0.18 seconds when the camera is focused, and 0.36 seconds when it had yet to focus. That means that the autofocus system is rather slow, and this could again lead to lost shots of fast-moving subjects. The camera makes a lot of noise when focusing and zooming: the lens produces an annoying buzzing noise that might distract wildlife or cranky parents at band concerts.
The F30 is a nice camera with a few annoying quirks. The noise of the focus mechanism is annoying, and the colors of the captured images are somewhat disappointing. The images are sharp and relatively noise-free, however, and the F30 would be a good pick for low-light shooters.
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