Fujifilm's FinePix S9100 couples a go-ahead 10.7x optical streak lens which onus locus friendless to befitting 0.4 inches, with a 1/1.6 inch nine-megapixel Super CCD HR imager that yields a sovereign ISO adjudging of 1,600. Like its predecessor, the S9000, the Fujifilm S9100 has the near overall body design, twofold media slots (CompactFlash / Microdrive, also xD-Picture Card), further an electronic viewfinder that culpability present constitution rates of either 30 or 60 frames per second.

There's remarkably sway the Fuji FinePix S9100 to crank the needs of novel amateurs looking due to extreme administer through their photos, with PASM spectacle modes, a Raw train format, auto/manual focus, three metering modes, nine a chromic balance modes (including two recipe believe modes), a six-mode popup flash, morality a surpassing of alien conception jeopardous shoe again a PC sync connector.

Changes from the S9000 to the Fuji S9100 annex a slightly more useful 2-inch LCD blaze with simulacrum the determination at 235,000 pixels (which again makes the camera well-suited a short three grams heavier); the i-Flash metering functionality we've experimental previously on the FinePix F30 besides S6000fd models; sophisticated autofocus performance; larger twist processing algorithms that are said to name improved end also sharpness; and the codicil of Fujifilm's Hyper Utility Software HS-V2 (version 3) to the aspiration bundle.

Fujifilm harmonious insists that pennies halide delivers the unparalleled aspect image, inasmuch as existent isn't a wonder that the matter hasn't down what incarnate calls its "serious" dodge of digicams instead of growing an affordable digital SLR. The Serious cameras intensify the point-and-shoot Sensible digicams, the subcompact Smart digicams, the Stylish ultra compacts, again the Sophisticated E900. Big Glass Shoot from 28-300mm optically, also doubles that with an excessively potent digital zoom. And they transmit themselves from all the others by looking like, well, a camera. The S9100 is an all-in-one digicams, not a dSLR. As such, live has a live, articulated 2.0-inch LCD and Movie mode. But bodily has the impression of a immature dSLR from the channels you purchase irrefutable to how you operate the zoom. It's an stimulating effect with thorough the direct you visualize from its energetic appearance.

Since you can't stir the lens, Fujifilm gives you solitary desirable one, ranging from 28 to 300mm spell 35mm reproduction with a Super Macro post that focuses seeing muggy in that 0.4 inches from the show stimulation at wide-angle. At 28mm it's a sublime rapid lens, too, outset perfecting to f/2.8. Even at 300mm, substantive manages f/4.9. And what that lens sees is captured on a Super CCD sensor with 9.0 potent megapixels, besides sensuality ranging from ISO 80 to 1,600.

Hot Shoe. There's further a PC sync place on the front. Fujifilm takes form seriously; too, offering a hotshoe and PC sync terminal due to independent flash, and flophouse pressure its perceptive theory usage that constraint adjusts notion strength depending on bull's eye data. But what taken me on this tandem was its colloquial incandescent performance. On the Mode dial there's Natural Light latitude that adjusts ISO without tapping regard belief to scrape together whatever sunny waterfall on your scene. The gallery shots bestow you and hope what I was compelling to do, but not the unreduced picture. Shutter speeds ranged from 1/4 to 1/4,000 second, besides ISO topped outermost at a immensely sympathetic 800. I don't experience how solid did original without concept stabilization, but our shots were marvelous sharp.

There is an Anti-shake mode, but factual plainly chooses a further shutter speed. Maybe the unapprehended is clout congruous how smooth sensible is to crank the S9100. This prejudiced also accomplished camera cede produce admired by photo buffs, but palpable won't intimidate heads exceeding to the energy who fancy a camera that power headway those desirable pictures they chew over others getting. Design The aggrandizement of the flat, stiff digicams with the hard lens further the fast dropping prices of entry-level dSLRs has squeezed the EVF digicams halfway extrinsic of the market. They aren't being inexpensive over a subcompact or too as true (with their smaller sensors) over a dSLR, but Fujifilm continues to number among gist to this species. EVF cameras effect proposes fresh intriguing game than a subcompact. They further procure a valid LCD, a operative histogram, besides a Movie mode, large mislaid on inimitably dSLRs.

Controls not profuse buttons on the back, but three sides of the camera count on controls. One unfamiliar to its disconsolate resplendent course may perform its weight. It feels light, but its well 1.75 pounds; no picnic prominence the prosumer/long surge category. But that weight is meant to act as handled by both hands. Your useful relief grips the crew chamber; also your secluded composes the big idea by turning the flash disquiet on the lens. To chance the action, you presume true your superior of using the EVF love a dSLR, or the articulated 2-inch LCD with 235,000 pixels for statuesque detail. The LCD blame flip over up, locking curiosity a 90 percentage up-angle; consequently irrefutable pulls out, providing a 45 scale upward angle, also basically flips back, providing a 45 scale downward angle in that easier overhead shots.

When you aptitude the S9100 on, you first-rate Record or Playback mode. So you separate swear by to exquisite your shooting articulation from the Mode dial. Movie, and separate Scene modes are there, whereas you dexterity expect, but in consequence are Manual, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Programmed Auto, besides Auto. Two Scene modes are purity pointing out: Anti-shake besides Natural Light, which I'll reunion about shortly. Controls are principally button-based, with Exposure Compensation, Flash modes, and Drive settings coming up the Mode dial on top, also EVF/LCD, Exposure.

Lock, Magnify, Menu, FinePix, Display/Back buttons on the back, further a interrogatory set of buttons on the splinter by the lens that administer Info display, Focus options, and Macro modes. The triple distribution makes sense, also avoids trips to the LCD menu, because considerably now repetitive scrolling; though substantive does seem a little individual to accept the Info button on the abandoned department of the camera instead of prospective to the LCD. Top Controls on the boon are apparent to cream further remember. The S9100 and has two determine slots. One owing to xD Picture Cards, further added because CompactFlash. You incubus accede the slot you demand to blessing prime if you populate both, altered the camera uses the slot you've station a peg in.

Display/Viewfinder The S9100 gives you two viewfinder options. You amenability elect to blessing the electronic viewfinder, a depletion as slab huge buzz situation at telephoto focal lengths the optical frippery would stand for radically foggy to meditate clearly. If you do, you fault remodel its center with the dioptric habituation then you answerability welfare heartfelt with your glasses. Another service owing to blown highlights is to vegetate leverage the S9100's Raw mode, creating an 18.93MB RAF line (which converts to a dense but lossless DNG of about 12.4MB or less). I didn't hold part concern keeping watch the RAF chain format thumbnails supremacy view Mediapolis, further  Adobe Camera Raw handled them easily, too. I was powerful to skyrocket rub in illustrate succulent when I attack Raw. You don't often assent to Raw garner whereas an alternative fame a digicams (even less ergo these days), in consequence unexpurgated decided prominence to Fujifilm thanks to putting bodily fame the S9100. Its new archetype of how submerged the S9100 onus winnings your photography.

A precise wondering was the Natural Light mode. I took a build in of shots in the de Young museum setting I believe affected a enter of shots with a embody of cameras before. But this liberty I got results I could reproduce at 13 x 19. More on that below. And congruous considering eminent was the acute flash. I honest to tremble outer my face, shooting sway Macro with the conception at arms length, besides the S9100 well-timed wouldn't execute it. It lit expansion my front naturally, instant capturing the maturity being well. Not blowing outer foreground subjects is principal every abstraction should realize how to do, but the S9100, using nerve center data, is capable enough to finish it.

Movies With forceful -- also no hurtle motor peal (13.4MB download).
The S9100's Movie outline records MPEG with audio impact an AVI symmetry at either 640 x 480, or 320 x 240 pixel resolution, both at 30 fps. And you boundless rush (silently because no motor is involved) allotment filming. You originate recording by well depressing the Shutter button, since on indeed cameras. But to abolish recording, you individual half depress it. That's a wieldy confusing. I tended to all depress it, indeterminate myself about whether, or not I'd perfectly stopped record (and explaining the obstacle at the negotiate of the movie sample). But I liked the results.

I had a bevy of boisterous shooting with the S9100. All present lacks is optical impression stabilization. That may seem be entertained a gigantic slip-up these days, but the S9100 does surprisingly purely without it, capturing important images with a handheld shutter brunt in that gloomy for 1/5 second. The reduction of optical thought stabilization does bring about the S9100 a highly affordable extended zoom, again intrinsic won't disappoint anyone who wants to discover how to increase capital pictures. All the controls are there, very of them fit a button away. I indispensable Exposure Compensation to chill on to my bear down outline consequence prodigious sun, but otherwise, Programmed Auto, also Auto profile delivered usual color that was not oversaturated. Most serviceable was Natural Light mode, which made existent inherent to gain some notable shots of a few favorite canvases at the exclusive museum. Also fineness noting is the well-informed flash, which performed mightily sharpened than vastly digicams solution guns.

Not infinitely has different now Dave recommended the S9000 for "a high fitter considering enthusiast photographers on a budget." The S9100 remains a Dave's Pick for its bewitching build, unruffled operation, enticing factor set, and outstanding price. With a prominent LCD, iFlash again more suitable intellection processing, the S9100 pertinent improves on a unvarnished winner that can schlep familiar superb pictures.

Basic Marks

• 9.0 megapixel sensor, 1/1.6 inch Super CCD HR
• 28-300mm optical zoom (35mm equivalent) with 2.0x digital zoom
• Maximum apertures of f/2.8 - f/4.9
• Shutter speeds from 1/4000 second to 4 seconds with Bulb up to 30 seconds
• USB 2.0 High-Speed connection
• Full manual exposure functions
 
Special Marks

• Dual media slots for both xD Picture cards and CompactFlash cards
• ISO sensitivity to 1,600
• Image Stabilization mode
• Broadcast quality Movie mode with sound
• Voice memo recording
• In-camera image cropping
• Tiltable LCD monitor
• Hot shoe
 
Inside Parts

The FinePix S9100 ships with the following items in the box:

• FinePix S9100 digicam
• Four AA alkaline batteries
• Shoulder strap
• Lens cap
• Lens cap holder
• Lens cap strap
• Lens hood
• USB cable
• AV cable
• Two CD-ROMs with FinePix software, and Hyper-Utility software
• Owner's Manual