Expert Recommendation
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Overview
Equipped with a 12 Megapixels resolution super CCD sensor and an excellent lens, the Fujifilm FinePix F50fd is one of the latest additions in Fuji’s F series of cameras, which are renowned low light performers. Featuring useful Aperture/Shutter Priority modes and tons of useful features for shooting in low light, the Fuji F50fd is the best in class ultra compact camera that provides terrific value for your money.
My Best In Class Pick
Fujifilm FinePix F50fd
For the last few years, Fuji F series cameras, equipped with super CCD sensors, have become synonymous with good image quality in low light. This camera is one of the latest additions to this series. It packs a high resolution 7th generation super CCD sensor and a 3x zoom lens in a sturdy body.
Although the resolution has been doubled, its detrimental effect (smaller pixels produce more noise) on low light (i.e high ISO) performance has been mitigated somewhat by improved processing and a slight increase in sensor size. Consequently, along with its high quality optics, it just manages to retain its crown as value-for-money low light performer.
The Fuji F50fd offers many features that are useful for low light shooting:
- Dual-stabilization mode To freeze moving subjects it automatically raises the ISO setting. It also uses mechanical image stabilization to mitigate the effects of camera shake.
- i-flash It tries to strike a balance between flash output and high ISO that results in a good image with natural tones and without a “washed-out”; effect.
- Dual shot mode It quickly shoots two images in rapid succession – one with the flash and one without – and saves both.
- Face detection 2.0, featuring Automatic Red Eye Removal The camera is able to identify faces at much more extreme camera angles than before and correcting focus, exposure, and white balance automatically. It removes red-eye too.
The images retain corner-to-corner sharpness throughout the zoom range and image quality is good with rich colors and lots of detail. The Fuji F50fd is snappy performer too.
The camera also has useful Aperture/Shutter Priority modes for more experienced users.
(The Fujifilm FinePix F60fd is a more recent and more expensive minor upgrade that has a few extras features such as a larger 3.0” LCD screen, upgraded Face Detection and Auto- Scene Recognition mode.)
Comparison with Canon PowerShot SD770 IS
The Fuji F50fd has slightly better low light performance (more fine details, lower noise), higher resolution, sharper lens, availability of Aperture/Shutter priority modes.
Comparison with Samsung L210
The Fuji F50fd has better low light performance (more fine details), wider angle view, higher resolution, sharper lens, availability of Aperture/Shutter priority modes.
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +High resolution
- +Sharp lens (best in class)
- +Rich feature set
- +Good high ISO performance (best in class)
- +Well built
Cons
- -Lacks optical viewfinder
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
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| Customer Rating |
 
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| Price | $164 - $299 | $170 - $388 | $137 - $238 | |
| Size (W x H x D) | 3.6 x 2.3 x 0.9 in. | 3.4 x 2.1 x 0.8 in. | 3.5 x 2.2 x 0.8 in. | |
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Sensor Size
Most digital cameras, even most digital SLRs, have sensors that are smaller than a standard frame of 35 mm film (36 x 24 mm). These smaller sensors have a number of effects on the captured image and the use of the camera, including an increased depth of field, decreased light sensitivity, increased pixel noise, and increased degree of enlargement.
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8.0 x 6.0 mm | 6.0 x 4.5 mm | 6.0 x 4.4 mm | |
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Effective Sensor Resolution
The Effective Sensor Resolution tells you the total number of pixels that are recorded when you take a picture. The units are MP, which stands for megapixels or millions of pixels. For outstanding fine compression prints, 3MP is required for 5x7's, 7.1MP for 8x10's, and 10.9MP for 11x14's. The effective sensor resolution is only one of many important factors that will determine the quality of the photograph when displayed or printed at different sizes.
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12.0 megapixels | 10.0 megapixels | 10.2 megapixels | |
| Shutter Lag Time (including auto-focus time) | 0.6 sec | 0.4 - 0.6 sec | 0.6 - 0.7 sec | |
| Power to First Shot Time | 2.8 sec | 1.8 sec | 2.8 sec | |
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Min Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. On any 35 mm film camera, a 30 mm or less lens is considered a wide-angle lens.
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35 mm | 35 mm | 34 mm | |
| Optical Zoom | 3.0x | 3.0x | 3.0x | |
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Image Stabilization Available
Image stabilization features are designed to reduce the blur that results from normal, minute shaking of a lens due to hand-held shooting. However, image stabilization does not prevent motion blur caused by the movement of the subject or by extreme movements of the camera.
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Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Auto Focus Assist Light Available | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
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Max Aperture (wide-angle)
The aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens that determines the amount of light falling onto the sensor. The maximum aperture (wide-angle) is the largest possible size at the wide-angle limit of the zoom lens. The lens aperture is usually specified as an f-number, the ratio of focal length to effective aperture diameter. A lower f-number denotes a greater aperture opening, which allows more light to reach the image sensor.
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f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | |
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Max Aperture (tele-photo)
The aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens that determines the amount of light falling onto the sensor. The maximum aperture (tele-photo) is the largest possible size at the tele-photo limit of the zoom lens. The lens aperture is usually specified as an f-number, the ratio of focal length to effective aperture diameter. A lower f-number denotes a greater aperture opening, which allows more light to reach the image sensor.
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f/5.1 | f/4.9 | f/5.2 | |
| Max ISO Setting | 6400 (1600 at full resolution) | 1600 | 1600 | |
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Viewfinder Available
A viewfinder is a window that you look through to compose the picture. Some cameras do not have a viewfinder and instead use the LCD display. The LCD display may be difficult to see in bright light and may make it more difficult to capture fast-moving subjects because of the time required to update the display.
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No | Yes | No | |
| Flash Recycling Time | 3.1 sec | 4.7 sec | 7.0 sec | |
| Battery Life | 230 shots | 300 shots | 220 shots | |
| Image Quality | ||||
| Corner to corner sharpness | very good | good | good | |
| Low light (high ISO) performance | good | above average | average | |
Canon PowerShot SD770 IS
This is one of the latest addition in Canon’s highly successful SD series of ultra compacts. The camera has an optical viewfinder, which is a great feature for keeping track of moving subjects in low light.
Other useful features are:
- Face detection Adjusts exposure based on faces in the scene and removes red-eye automatically.
- Motion detection technology Combining inputs from its Face Detection Technology, the optical Image Stabilizer, changes in scene brightness and changes from frame to frame, it raises ISO to freeze action.
Camera’s acclaimed DIGIC III processor tries to control noise at higher ISOs in low light situations resulting in images which are grainy but retain good amount of details.
Comparison with Samsung L210
The Canon PowerShot SD770 IS has better low light performance (more fine details), availability of optical viewfinder and slightly wider angle view.
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +Optical viewfinder
- +Rich feature set
- +Well built
Cons
- -High noise at ISO1600
Samsung L210
Samsung is quickly trying to catch upwith other leading camera manufacturers. This camera is one of their latest addition to their L series of mid-range compacts cameras. If you want clean images (albeit at the cost of fine details, e.g. for shooting portraits) then this is the camera for you. It uses heavy noise reduction at higher ISOs which results in cleaner but fuzzy images.
The lens is good though for producing images which are sharp from corner to corner.
Other useful features are:
- Dual Image Stabilization It combines Optical Image Stabilization with Digital Image Stabilization to provide blur-free images.
- Face Detection
- Self Portrait It automatically detects the user’s face, adjust focus and exposure, and will only allow a photo to be taken if the subject is centered in the frame.
- Auto Red Eye Fix mode It automatically detects and eliminates red eye from images as they are taken.
Pros
- +Cleaner images at high ISO
- +Rich feature set
- +Cheap
Cons
- -Excessive noise reduction obliterating fine details at higher ISOs
- -Slow performance (focusing and shot to shot times)
How It Works
Unbiased experts recommend the best digital camera for you based on the types of photographs you intend to take, your budget, and desired features.
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How to Pick Digital Cameras
- For Travel Photos
- For Photos of Children or Pets
- For Action or Sports Photos
- For Photos in Low Light
