Mostly positive

After a month of intensive testing and more than 1,000 photos my judgment for Fuji FinePix S100FS is mostly positive. That's my 9.Digitalkamera and I am dedicated amateur photographer (the only clarifying what level of ambition I came from). The Fuji S100FS has an amazing scope and goes far a less compromising than I would have expected.

POSITIVE:
* The picture quality is very good and is rightly praised in test reports and compared with entry-level SLR.
* Low noise even at high ISO values. The test page dpreview.com rated the noise performance of the S100FS better than the Nikon D60 SLR to ISO1600.
* The combination of high light sensitivity with a very effective image stabilization and Aperture 2.8 (at 28mm) allow very natural-looking images without a flash even in extremely low light.
* Plenty of possibilities, such as white balance Korrrektur, Dynamic bracketing or well-functioning face recognition, etc, etc.
* Important settings can be set directly by switch or button on the camera, without having to struggle through menus.
* Foldable monitor is really advantageous in predicaments.
* Almost awesome: either the preview image can be put on magnifying glass "Then the finished picture Very useful at longer exposure times or fast-moving subjects in maximum magnification is displayed immediately and you can see if a camera shake or motion blur is present..!
* Settings for limited ISO sensitivity (AUTO400, AUTO800, AUTO1600). The camera selects the sensitivity only up to the maximum selected ISO number.
* Two memory for user settings (C1, C2)

But there are downsides:

* The camera is a tall order and anything but compact. 1 kg will be towed. She lies comfortably in the hand.
* Significant purple fringing in wide-angle to high-contrast edges. The topic is but in my opinion highly overstated. These fringing occur only at the edges in wide-angle to extreme high-contrast edges. On most shots I see none of this. If you knew anything about it, it would most not even notice.
* Disappointing: the lens for the electronic viewfinder (EVF) is on the small side. This one never sees the image in the EVF at all points sharp.
* Battery is slightly weak chest and only lasts for 250-300 shots. It is therefore essential to buy spare battery.

Some things are just marketing gags:
* ISO6400 and 10000 are quite funny but pretty useless, because the image quality is more reminiscent of an Impressionist painting.
* The film simulations are pretty useless (for me). I do not know about whom the dramatically oversaturated colors of Velvia really liked. If I want something in a particular case times, I do it easier later on the computer.
* The press in countless functions that contradict or overlap partially makes things confusing in parts. For what I now choose at landscape: The Program AE or Scene Auto Landscape "or the film simulation" Velvia "or Dynamic bracketing or ...
The same is true for all but new cameras. Manufacturers are trying to stop with still more programs and more xxx xxx megapixels to outdo, with the true benefit is often quite questionable.
* Super macro 1 cm distance is a stupid joke, because so yes totally occludes the object. This could take up best by lit objects. One can only hope that this nonsense is not for other important characteristics compromises have been made.

The big question is: for whom is good with this camera?
At the price, size and weight one (but not with focal length 28-400) already gets entry-level SLR. For some, therefore, the question will arise: I'll take the same a SLR or the Fuji S100FS? I had recently a very well-known brands-SLR, but I am all in all, now with the Fuji S100FS far happier. Why out of my - of course subjective - overview of the Fuji S100FS and against an SLR:

1. image quality and freedom from noise are practically equivalent to level SLR and far above of what the vast majority of recreational photographers need any sense in any case.
2. Lens Reflex (SLR) are gladly advertised because of the bright and clear viewfinder image. "I've to gain experience. As Fine prospects I have namely a SLR for image preview on the monitor put the reading glasses every time. Also, if I want to set something on the menu . In an electronic viewfinder (EVF) on the other hand I see diopter corrects the image preview or the menu without glasses and without the camera should be discontinued.

Particularly unpleasant is the image control of an SLR in sunlight. Because no monitor can with bright sun give a reasonable picture to beurteilendes. That reminds me, the reading glasses will help nix. But in shaded EVF of Fuji, I can perfectly judge the image. Without glasses, without lifting the camera and also in bright sunlight.

A good (!) EVF has therefore, in my opinion decisive advantages over the viewfinder of an SLR. Unfortunately, the EVF of S100FS does have a decent resolution, but this is pretty playful by the small and fuzzy lens of the EVF. I am used to it, but in the sector's better. Ultimately, however, it is to me far better than the camera down and glasses Top-mounted games with an SLR and then cursing because you certainly can not see anything in the sun.
3. Silent, no mirror rattling.
4. normal and always live view "(even with hinged monitor) what SLR try using various tricks of mostly poorly imitate.
5. Video possible. Thanks to Image Stabilizer even quite nice.
6. All-in-one package that leaves almost nothing to be desired for amateur photographers. And forcibly towing and no tinkering of interchangeable lenses and therefore no risk of dirt of the sensor.

This is my subjective experience, everyone has self-evaluate what is important to him and then decide.

For potential climbers of the Fuji Finepix 6500fd:
The S100FS is clearly superior to the 6500fd in all respects: more resolution, less noise, more dynamic range, image stabilization, folding monitor, zoom up to 400mm, better face detection and many more settings. But it also costs significantly more and is much larger and heavier.

For more information and tips on using the S100FS are on my website: [...]