Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd

Last year showed a number of surprising trends in the digital camera market, including a sudden boom in DSLR sales and the emergence of the superzoom subcategory. Fuji’s S8100fd represents the next step in the development of versatile fixed-lens models, which looks to provide users with the best of the compact and DSLR worlds.

Trying to give the user everything a modular camera system would provide in a single unit can make for a logistical nightmare, as certain elements must be discarded in order to keep the size at a sensible level. The S8100fd certainly isn’t a behemoth in terms of physical size, even with the hefty 18x optical zoom. The design has the hallmarks of older superzooms as well as the recent, sleeker DSLRs, giving impressive ergonomics on the surface with a large hand grip and well-spaced-out button layout. As magnification increases the likelihood of motion blur, it’s important to ensure the camera can be comfortably held for extended periods, and the S8100fd manages this in an impressive manner. The balance is excellent, even with the lens extended, and the weight doesn’t force two-handed operation. Even the zoom can be used without the need for extra support, with the spring-loaded switch making both lengthy close-ups and delicate framing adjustments very intuitive.

The ergonomics make it far easier for the buttons to be placed in a logical and intelligent manner, which Fuji takes full advantage of. The buttons are few and far between, putting much of the focus on the Mode dial. Each of the features is well laid out, giving the beginner a decent chance of using the more advanced features within a relatively short space of time.

Manual modes are a big draw for those stepping up from a compact, and the altering of settings has been reasonably well dealt with. By hitting the Bracketing button, the shutter speed and/or aperture can be changed when in the relevant mode by then using the D-pad.

Adding the extra button press to proceedings allows the existing D-pad functions to remain available, but a multifunction DSLR-style dial would be far more preferable and easier to use. Having a short cut to the quality settings is also helpful, even if it is rather confusingly labelled with an F. The ISO can also be accessed from this short-cut menu, as can the FinePix colour setting. This allows for a film simulation feature to be used, giving either the saturated tint of Chrome slide film or Black and White. Both are designed to achieve as close results to their 35mm equivalent as possible, and for the most part the results are impressive. Although the effect will be lost on those unfamiliar with the original, anyone used to shooting on slide film will immediately see the benefit.

Where the traditionalists may balk is the methods of display, with an EVF taking the place of an optical viewfinder. Where many manufacturers almost add this as an afterthought, Fuji has clearly taken some time in making the electronic viewfinder bright and sharp without sacrificing any of the information from the main LCD. Although it may not be up to the standards of an optical version, the EVF is accurate enough to utilise without fearing for the results. Any setting or mode changes are also visible thanks to the large text or symbol indication on screen whenever something important is altered. This can becoming annoying when the overly flashy Mode dial animation comes into effect, but thankfully a press of the shutter release speeds up proceedings. Fortunately, the animation is the only overly fussy element of the menu as altering most other settings is simple, thanks to a lack of confusing symbols or multiple menu screens. A border is also present around the menu to allow the image preview to remain partially visible, ensuring any framing can be roughly maintained during setting changes.

A superzoom can normally be judged on the quality of the images with the full magnification employed, as without this feature it would fall into standard compact territory. The Fuji S8100fd has a few features that keep the images within acceptable levels when the 18x magnification is used, such as a nonoptical image stabiliser that still manages to perform to a respectable manner in low light. The Instant Zoom function is something of a misnomer, as it takes a fair few seconds to process once the shot is taken, but utilising the digital zoom to take a series of magnified shots without having to touch the zoom lever is a creative use of the feature. Focus had the tendency to miss depths, showing up the naivety of the multizone feature in shots of varying subject distances. Colour was faithful for the most part, keeping a respectable level of depth and maintaining faithful flesh tones.

When a fixed-lens compact tries to be a DSLR, it normally falls short. Only on a few occasions does the FinePix S8100fd punch above its weight, and there aren’t too many embarrassing faux pas to make this anything less than a recommended superzoom.