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Expert Recommendation
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Overview
With outstanding image quality, from a sharp lens and 8th generation Super CCD Sensor, a wide-angle lens for capturing landscapes, good zoom range, and a well-built compact body, the Fujifilm F100fd is the best in class compact digital camera for travel photos.
My Best In Class Pick
Fujifilm FinePix F100fd
For the last few years, Fuji F series cameras equipped with super CCD sensors have become synonymous with good image quality. This camera is one of the latest additions to this series. It packs a high resolution 8th generation super CCD sensor and a 5x zoom lens in a sturdy body. The images retain corner-to-corner sharpness throughout the zoom range and image quality is good with rich colors and lots of detail.
The camera comes with many useful features like wide dynamic range for correcting problems with high contrast images (e.g . typical sunny outdoor scenes have wider brightness range than what conventional cameras can capture. The feature helps avoid blown out highlights while retaining shadow details in such situations).
Although the resolution has been doubled (previous generation F31fd had 6MPs), it still manages to strike good balance between noise and fine details at higher ISOs. (Essential for making effective use of “wide dynamic range” feature, else shadows would be too noisy and lacking in detail.). It also offers many preset scene modes for novice users (e.g. Portrait Enhancer, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Underwater, Museum, Party, Flower, Text, etc.) The camera has received good reviews from leading camera reviewing sites.
Comparison with Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500
The Fujifilm FinePix F100fd has better image quality (sharper and less noisy images). However if one wants more manual controls (e.g. Aperture/Shutter Priority modes) then the Panasonic Lunix DMC-FX500 is the better choice.
Comparison with Canon PowerShot SD870 IS
The Fujifilm F100fd has greater zoom range, a higher resolution sensor, and better corner-to-corner sharpness in images.
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +Good lens (sharp)
- +High resolution
- +Good zoom range for travel
- +Well built
Cons
- -Lacks Aperture/Shutter Priority modes
Where to buy
Fujifilm FinePix F100fd
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Best Price:
$299
See It »
Specifications
- Zoom: 5.0x
- Resolution: 12.0MP
- Size: 3.8 x 2.3 x 0.9 in.
- Battery Life: 230 shots
- Easy to Use: Yes
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
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| Price | $299.95 | $278.90 | $549.00 | |
| Size (W x H x D) | 3.8 x 2.3 x 0.9 in. | 3.7 x 2.3 x 0.9 in. | 3.7 x 2.3 x 1.0 in. | |
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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 | 10.1 megapixels | 8.0 megapixels | |
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Shutter Lag Time (including auto-focus time)
This is the time from fully pressing the shutter button until the image is captured. Longer shutter lag times make it more difficult to capture the desired moment.
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0.6 - 0.8 sec | 0.6 sec | 0.4 - 0.7 sec | |
| Power to First Shot Time | 3.5 sec | 1.5 sec | 0.9 sec | |
| Max Video Resolution | 640 x 480 pixels | 1280 x 720 pixels | 640 x 480 pixels | |
| Max Video Frame Rate (max resolution) | 30 frames/sec | 30 frames/sec | 30 frames/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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28 mm | 25 mm | 28 mm | |
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Max 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. Larger max focal lengths make distant objects appear more magnified.
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140 mm | 125 mm | 105 mm | |
| Optical Zoom | 5.0x | 5.0x | 3.8x | |
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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 | |
| Image Stabilization Type | Optical (sensor shift) | Optical (lens shift) | Optical | |
| 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/3.3 | 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/5.9 | f/5.8 | |
| Aperture Priority Mode Available | No | Yes | No | |
| Viewfinder Type | - | - | - | |
| Battery Type | Proprietary Lithium Ion Rechargeable | Proprietary Lithium Ion Rechargeable | Proprietary Lithium Ion Rechargeable | |
| Battery Life | 230 shots | 280 shots | 270 shots | |
| Image Quality | ||||
| Low light (High ISO) Performance | Good | Above average | Good | |
| Lens Quality (Corner to corner sharpness) | Good | Above average | Average | |
| Fine details & colors | Good | Above average | Above average | |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500
Panasonic has been the first digital camera manufacturer to introduce optical image stabilization in all of its cameras. Its FX series offers high-end compact digital cameras with wide angle lenses. The FX500 is equipped with a wide-angle 5x zoom lens. The rich feature set includes Face Detection and Intelligent AUTO mode (it automatically sets the appropriate scene mode according to the picture you are about to take). The image quality is good. Panasonic’s association with the leading lens manufacturer Leica has helped them produce cameras with good quality lenses and the FX500 is one such product.
Comparison with Canon PowerShot SD870 IS
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500 has a wider angle view, a better lens (corner-to-corner sharpness), and a greater zoom range.
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +Well bullt body
- +Useful features (Aperture priority, Shutter priority, and full manual modes & noise reduction control)
- +Good zoom range for travel
Where to buy
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX500
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Best Price:
$278
See It »
Specifications
- Zoom: 5.0x
- Resolution: 10.1MP
- Size: 3.7 x 2.3 x 0.9 in.
- Battery Life: 280 shots
- Easy to Use: Yes
Canon PowerShot SD870 IS
Canon is the pioneer of digital camera revolution and is the market leader. The Canon SD870IS is the successor (with more resolution & omission of an optical viewfinder) of the highly successful Canon SD800IS. The camera produces images with minimal processing artifacts, rich colors and lot of details in auto mode. It received a “Recommended” rating at DPREVIEW, one of the most popular camera reviewing sites. It’s a good camera to use when traveling.
Comparison with Sony Cybershot DSC-W170
The Canon PowerShot SD870 IS has better colors, performance, and low light performance.
Pros
- +Canon brand
- +Good image quality
- +Good performance
- +Well built
- +Cheap
Cons
- -Poor corner sharpness in images
- -Less zoom range (3.8x)
Where to buy
Canon PowerShot SD870 IS
Specifications
- Zoom: 3.8x
- Resolution: 8.0MP
- Size: 3.7 x 2.3 x 1.0 in.
- Battery Life: 270 shots
- Easy to Use: Yes
Sony Cybershot DSC-W170
Sony is one of the leading manufacturer of compact cameras. This is their higher-end model in the W series of cameras, which come with optical viewfinders. The camera has lot of things going for it with 5x wide-angle zoom, good build quality and good resolution. However the camera produces images with a slight blurring in the corners and applies high noise reduction, especially at higher ISOs (i.e. low light image quality is not that good.).
Pros
- +Good zoom range
- +Well built body
- +Optical viewfinder
Cons
- -Poor corner sharpness in images
- -Excessive noise reduction at high ISOs
Where to buy
Sony Cybershot DSC-W170
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Best Price:
$399
See It »
Specifications
- Zoom: 5.0x
- Resolution: 10.1MP
- Size: 3.7 x 2.3 x 0.9 in.
- Battery Life: 370 shots
- Easy to Use: Yes
How It Works
You tell us your budget, intended uses, and desired features. We show you personalized recommendations from unbiased experts to quickly identify the best digital camera for you.
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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
