Shooting Star

I own the Fuji S100FS now for 1 1/2 months and can thoroughly recommend it to people who know what they want:
The Fuji S100fs is purely a bridge camera. These are cameras that fill the segment between the Kompaktdigis and the digital SLR (DSLR). A bridge camera covers with your complete equipment (fixed lens, massive Bildrogramme and settings in "auto" and "manual") a large zoom and creative field of photography and opens up, for to comfortable but very high quality photography interested, a wide field of activity, without causing the circumstances and cost of a DSLR.

Who therefore but now the same or better results as from a DSLR expect from a Fujifilm S100FS, is by purchasing this camera bad advice. Then you should but the good 2000-3000 rather reckon equal additionally that you simply must spend more for a digital (high quality) SLR equipment. Nevertheless, the voices quite trust the S100FS to keep up in terms of "image quality" with entry-level DSLR increase. Because mirror mechanics and displacement-pardon sensor size are irreplaceable in the eyes of the DSLR-trailer - this view is not unchallenged. Much of information to this point.
From the feel, weight and the operation is the Fuji S100FS ago, without a doubt with a DSLR to be compared. The look and feel of the balance of the solid casing provide safety. The rubber elements on the housing provide the right grip - a good piece is always safe in their hands. The design I think is managed - but that is a matter of taste. But an end to the externals:

The sensor of the Fujifilm S100FS is slightly larger than in the previous Bridge models (eg Lumix FZ50). 2/3 inch for are a good thing, since the image data is still expected to separate (also completely new) image processor. Even if that's enough in the end to 11 megapixels ... 9 or 10, it would have done (my opinion). Qualitatively prints to A2 possible or sometimes enlarged details no problem. The image quality is very good in my opinion. In the autofocus can always rely, even if the "goals" through the viewfinder, especially for eyeglass wearers sometimes turns into a feat. The viewfinder is attached unfortunately somewhat unfortunate (too low), so the wearer will always need a little longer to see what. As a nice detail helps as a diopter on the viewfinder will not continue. But you can get this problem with some practice under control.

This touches incidentally already one of the few points where the S100FS not met my expectations. Viewfinder picture! It is electronic, ie a kind of small monitor in the viewfinder shows the subject, which completely would not have to be here and the camera for the below-average quality of representation (only in the viewfinder!) Point deduction brings. The electronic viewfinder can at all possible today miniaturization obviously not been so accurate that it reflects on the subject. Here an optical viewfinder would have been nice and the unit "clearly" (sic) would be upgraded. Even entry-level DSLR's are there better. But it has to rip out the large 2.5 inch display, which can definitely be a comfort because it is really very sharply defined. In "sun top" then siehts again from duster. As I would have expected more in total.

After all, compensated the Fujinon safer "Action" when times fast sharp images are required. 14 elements in 10 groups form a well-coordinated lens. Since the Fuji S100FS is a bridge camera, you can not replace it as with a DSLR - it can be the 28'er Wide "stretch" until 400'er Tele. On a DSLR you change for these focal lengths the lens at least once. Apart from the fact how much dirt back and forth penetrates with such a constant in the DSLR body, one also has the Geschleppe - the expensive optics weigh quite pretty.
The time to time mentioned "chromatic Abbarationen" -to German: "fringing on high-contrast scenes," can be taken seriously, but does not have one. Especially as the can be removed with various software also. However, it is strongly on the subject and the settings for how much the noise effect shows. This experienced photographer but also notice the vastly improved noise performance of S100FS. Nevertheless - all to eradicate the left unloved noise effect also in this model does not .... unfortunately.

14 scene modes, creative motif settings (Provia, Velvia, night, flowers, landscape ... etc.) and variable dynamic ranges, the manual zoom and the DSLR-like focusing ring on the lens are, here as representative of all the useful and comfortable features mentioned with which the Fuji S100FS comes up. The metal program knob (also the ... original design a technical bond of the SLR's) makes everything between "fully automatic" and "fully-yourself-Set". The possible in part with the movable display screen pans are useful and the two (!) Integrated image stabilizer is essential in the zoom range above. All in all the Fuji S100FS a very good tool for the creativ ambitious youngster and the really intent on comfort amateur photographers with experience.

The concept of Fuji S100FS with a DSLR to compare is as pointless as a compact Flachdigiknippse with a bridge camera. Who is not afraid of the financial cost of about 200 on a very noble Kompaktknippse (eg Canon PowerShot G9 or Sony Cybershot DSC W300) and about 400 under an entry-level DSLR (Sony A-200, Nikon D60), or about 2000 - 3000 under a pro DSLR (Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III, Nikon D3, etc.) wants to do good to excellent pictures in virtually all situations and for most needs sufficient - the Fuji S100FS can be set at ease. In bridge segment there are for money to buy anything better.

A few more words about accessories:
The Fuji S100FS brings everything to get started immediately incl.diverser cable (USB, TV, Picture Bridge cable for direct printing) Charger, 1 x battery (Li-Io) and the lens hood. Bought I have still a polarizing filter (less to poles to filter than to protect the optics), a second battery (45), a pocket (Lowpro 60) and two 2GB SD cards (20) Panasonic's fabled 20 MB data throughput. The battery life depends on usage. A charge can but before 1-2 days extreme Touri session in a city full of sights from. A charging the supplied battery using the supplied charger like to take so two hours.
The supplied software "Fine Pix Viewer" is sufficient for organizing the archives, beginners and the classical fast processor. People with more attention to detail, and changes with Fotocleaning claim up to the artistic genre, go eh` dear "Computer Arts".

All in all, this is the best camera I've ever owned.
Better is not at the price.