While Panasonic confirms that the FZ50 isn’t a direct descendant, Fujifilm remains one of the rare manufacturers to persevere in the realm of expert bridges.  The new flagship camera from this Japanese manufacturer is the FinePix S100fs. It has several characteristics to attract photographers looking for a versatile camera who do not want to be encumbered with the bulk of a reflex and several lenses (and the accompanying dust).

Handling

The FinePix S100fs doesn’t go unnoticed.  With its lens hood, the bridge can be mistaken for a reflex as the body is imposing and relatively heavy.  Moreover, these "serious" dimensions enable a good grip (although the handle is a bit short).  Construction is of very good quality and overall this camera inspires confidence. 

We were surprised by the quality of the zoom and while it does extend (contrary to that of the Panasonic FZ50), size remains modest.  The zoom ring is comfortable, movement is fluid and we can go easily and quickly from 28 to 400 mm.  There is also an autofocus ring, but it is too narrow and poorly placed (too close to the flash) to be used with ease.

The overall ergonomics of the S100fs are excellent and you will find a number of shortcuts to set sensitivity, the autofocus mode, light meter, burst mode or face detection.  For each setting, the dial on the back enables rapidly modifying values.  The 2.5 inch LCD is of good quality with nice fluidity, good viewing angles, and is quite classic with its 230,000 pixels.  The screen is mounted on a hinge that allows moving it up and down, but unfortunately Fujifilm didn't opt for a joint that would have enabled more movement.  We didn’t note any problems with the autofocus in wide angle or telephoto.  It was fast, precise and the efficient face detection system can be of help with this function.   Overall, the S100fs is reactive; however, it is a little slow to start up.

Quality of images

Fujifilm is recognized for its efficient noise control on certain models.  With an “in house” Super CCD HR, we have the right to expect good performance, especially because this involves a rather large sensor (2/3 of an inch).  Results were up to expectations and noise was very well controlled up until 800 ISO.  At 1600 ISO, grain is much more visible but shots are easily usable for A4 prints or even larger.  Beyond this, we’ve reached the limits of Fujifilm’s know-how and images are much more degraded.  The S100fs offers the sensitivities of 6400 and 10 000 ISO for marketing purposes.  At these settings not only is definition reduced but the quality of images is rather mediocre.  

The 28-400 mm zoom is a quality optical device as there is little deformation, vignetting is barely visible and stabilization is efficient (our Barbie was sharp at 1/6 s).  Photos also proved to be very sharp in wide angle as much as in telephoto.  Fufifilm’s recurrent problem of purple fringes is still very visible and we wonder why engineers didn't integrate automatic processing algorithms as Panasonic does on its cameras.  The macro (and super macro) mode are also very appreciable with focusing at 1 cm.  Outdoors, white balance is accurate while under tungsten lighting there is an obvious yellow dominance.  The FinePix S100fs also offers a 400% dynamic range mode which enables recovering details in brightly lit zones while keeping the integrity of darker zones.  Finally, the flash produces nice results with efficient exposure of subjects.  As for video, it’s of good quality but we are impatiently waiting for Fujifilm to finally add high definition.