An almost uncompromising compromise ...

The title of the review may surprise some, but he describes the qualities of the camera in my opinion, very aptly - and is already an indication that this camera a few things not so good or not.

I will not go into the technical details in the first place at this point, but to play some thoughts based on my personal experience with the camera to now about 1,000 images to possibly facilitate prospective purchasing decisions. The various evaluation criteria like each weighted differently, I can of course only reflect my subjective evaluation.

Handling:
- The camera is comfortably in the hand, the grip is rubberized and provides very good grip. (However, in my opinion, not even necessary) One-handed operation is still only to a limited extent, since the focal length with mechanical zoom ring - the excellent work by the way, smooth and not too light - is adjusted and the camera but also is a little hard.
- The camera has a surprising number of interesting technical features, such as a one-time automatic focusing in manual focus mode (in view of the limited potential sharpness control of display or the viewfinder (see below) is a very useful function), rapid exposure compensation by turning the wheel, a private adjuster for different modes of exposure, many different shooting functions, possibility of using RAW format (unfortunately with more than 20 MB of files per picture) etc.

Lens:
- The lens is a stunner, both in terms of optical performance and in terms of the weight (the lens is likely not insignificant contribution to not inconsiderable total weight of the camera).
- The excellent se imaging performance without optical distortion or vignetting is something recognizable clouded partly distinct chromatic aberration at wide angle through VA, as I have rarely seen in this violence. On the other hand, it really requires Flash contrasts to spoil the overall impression of an image by the color fringing. Finally, it must be asked whether it is primarily an objective problem is (causally course already) or a lack of in-camera correction. In the latter case one could hope for a firmware update eventually.
- A manual focusing is possible, for an extra focus ring is provided on the lens. However, this works in contrast to the zoom ring is not mechanically but electrically (otherwise, like having two keys for related). The problem is that the ring does not have a mechanical stop, so for example it is not possible to manually focus on infinity. Focusing on the display or in the viewfinder is no appreciable help.
- The 2-step macro function (Level 2 only in wide angle mode) is impressive in stage 2 (Super Macro called) I was recently at a demonstration of the macro, set the front lens touching blade sharp (of course, the object is then heavily shadowed, but technically it is at all possible).

Display and electronic viewfinder:
- The display is fine, the resolution moves within the usual limits, of course, a higher resolution would be nicer. The swiveling function of the display, however, is very useful, a swivel function would satisfy a desireless.
- The electronic viewfinder moves on trim level, but he tends to some 'color smearing' in motion, as the 3 primary colors are generated from each pixel in rapid succession. In addition, the lens tends to optical distortions, so I use the electronic viewfinder in bright light and only otherwise prefer the display.
- What will disappoint many and also has me a bit disappointed: Given the resolution neither the display nor the viewfinder a real sharpness control is possible, which ultimately severely limits the options manual focusing. I, however, do not attach too much importance to this criterion falls to me not very significant.

Battery:
- The battery is generally expected to be somewhat underpowered. I have as a compact camera Casio Exilim Z-850 in use - that runs and runs and runs ... I have the battery of the S100fs never completely emptied, but it goes much faster than running out of the Casio, no question. Who wants to be sure, takes with a removable battery.

Software:
- The supplied software I have not used, therefore I can not comment.

Accessories:
- The camera are a lens cap (durable cover that well), a lens hood (can also save space upside put, has a little play and rattle something not so bad) and a useful strap in.
- As a pocket I can highly enough of this copy Lowepro Apex 110 AW black recommend fits like a glove for camera including lens hood (rear mounted), shoulder strap, spare battery and change memory card. With good protection, the camera can probably tuck hardly compact.

Now comes the point, the image quality:
- All in all, the camera is predominantly very good to excellent images.
- On the part of the lens falling mentioned fringing occasionally negative. Otherwise, the lens is probably the greatest strength of this camera!
- On the part of the sensor, one should remember that this is indeed greater than that of most compact cameras, however, significantly smaller than that of a digital Spieglelreflexkamera. With ISO 400 you shoot still quite neat and low noise, higher sensitivities I need rare, which is not least also due to the excellent image stabilization, which allows very long exposure times even with handheld photography.

Conclusion:
- Is obtained for the money a great camera that produces excellent images. Under most conditions (to a lesser extent with significantly limited light conditions) the results of an entry-level DSLR in my opinion, are equal.
- The operation makes for the high quality ergonomics really fun, thanks to many manual functions is also creative photography possible (to a lesser extent in purely manual focusing).
- Thanks to an excellent lens, the camera covers a similar area of ​​application from such a DSLR with 2 lenses. At the same time it is much more compact and also cheaper.
- If you - like me - can live with the slightly lower compared to the DSLR sensitivity (or greater noise under low light conditions) and the limited potential sharpness control in manual focus, I can recommend the camera without restriction. I would argue that you currently can probably get a better camera in a comparable compact size in this condition even - if they do, I would have bought this :)