Fujifilm F40fd vs FinePix F50fd, Canon IXUS 960 and PowerShot G9: no more expensive mega pixels for a Compact

It is quite enough to look at some digital cameras, as the FinePix IS Pro, S700, IS-1, S9600 or an excellent digital SLR – FinePix S5 Pro so as to understand that Fujifilm is a great digital cameras manufacturer. Fujifilm camera’s color rendering favorably differ FinePix photo cameras from many others. This is an advantage of FujiFilm firm’s Super CCD HR image sensor. Unfortunately, this sensor is not the rule for all FinePix cameras.
The FinePix F40fd - to carry 1/1.6” sensor under one's heart
In my opinion, the Fujifilm F40fd is the best digital camera not only in Fuji’s F-series, but also in comparison with groovy S8000, F40 with its 1/1.6” sensor can produce a better image quality. As for FinePix F50fd, I already wrote that useless 12MP resolution makes this gadget a bit expensive while its images a little noisy. For more look through: Fujifilm F50fd vs FinePix S5 IS Pro: 12MP from digital compact it’s not the same as 12MP from SLR. Whatever advertising saying, the FinePix F40 is most successful digital compact more than the F50fd, and some Canon PowerShot great models as SD950, G9, SD870 or Nikon P5100. For any details look at: Compare digital compact cameras: from Canon A630 / G7 and Nikon P5000 to Canon G9 / A650 and Nikon P5100. Thanks for a good feature set for a fair $200 price.
Fujifilm F40fd key features
- 8.3 million pixels 1/1.6 inch Super CCD HR VI sensor
- Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens, F2.8-5.1, Equivalent to 36 - 108 mm on a 35 mm camera
- Face Detection Technology built-in to the camera’s processor
- Real Photo Processor II
- ISO 2000 sensitivity at full resolution (1600 selectable)
- Long-life battery (up to 300 shots)
- IR Communication (IR simple)
- VGA movie capture of 30 frames per second with sound
- Weight (inc. batteries) 181 g (6.4 oz)
- Dimensions 96 x 59 x 23 mm (3.8 x 2.3 x 0.9 in)
Fuji Film advanced technology
Fujifilm Real Photo Technology brings together CCD, processor and lens to deliver images of optimum quality that are rich in color, detail and sharpness and low in noise. Fuji film’s proprietary Super CCD HR VI is a unique octagonal shape, which means it has a larger surface area than traditional sensors, making it more sensitive to light. This gives Fuji film’s FinePix cameras their unique High ISO sensitivity ratings. It also means that faster shutter speeds can be used to capture images; combating image blur. The design of the Super CCD also makes it less prone to noise; the grainy, speckled effect that can occur, especially at higher ISO settings. The FinePix F40fd achieves ISO 2000 (1600 selectable) at full resolution, which means there is no trade off between ISO setting and image sharpness, or the size of the print that can be made.
The RP Processor II featured on the FinePix F40fd features double noise reduction. It has proven capability of delivering images with significantly less noise than some competing models at a lower ISO. Furthermore, Fuji film’s Fujinon lenses are the product of over seven decades’ R&D into lens technology; completing the triangle of lens, CCD and processor all optimized to work in harmony together. The result is photographs of unrivalled quality no matter what the subject or level of light.
Fujifilm F40fd pros and cons
Pros:
- Large 1/1.6” sensor, a little larger than S8000
- Face detection
- IrSimple concept is cool
- Fair $200 price
- 300-shot rechargeable battery
- xD and SD compatibility
- Sharp lens
- Low noise
- Subcompact size
- Great indoor pictures in low light
- Great high ISO capability
Cons:
- Ugly primitive menus
- Short 3-x lens
- Poor color performance
- Limited dynamic range
- Poor handling
- Slow, short burst mode
- IrSimple wireless impractical
- There are no Av or TV settings
- No optical viewfinder
FinePix F40fd user’s opinion
This F40fd is a beauty, nice looking and make excellent or very good vivid pictures, also at low light with 100, 200, 400 ISO's and without PP ready for big prints. The F40fd at less than $200 is a great value for money. IQ for shooting up to ISO 400 (handheld) at low light condition is acceptable. SD compatibility is a bonus. Colors are bright, particularly at the Landscape (blues and greens) and Portraits (sharp focus and good flash exposures) scenes. It has become a handy day-to-day or the second camera for advanced photographer.
Conclusion
The 8.3-megapixel Fujifilm F40fd has most useful resolution than others Fujifilm digital compacts. Moreover, in comparison with some Canon’s best cameras as PowerShot SD950, G9 and A640, the FinePix F40fd looks good. Its 1/1.6-inch sensor makes an excellent quality images and kept noise to a minimum and resolution to an optimum. At the same time, Canon with its new 1/1.7 inch 12MP sensor kept resolution to a maximum (4000 x 3000 pixels) but its noise is so far from an optimum. As for prices, $450 for the G9 or $350 for Canon A650 and SD950 are far from F40’ two hundred too. Look through: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS vs. SD950 IS or Canon Powershot G9, SD950 and A650. Finepix F40 has sharply focused and properly exposed pictures, thanks to Fuji’s Face Detection system and the vast ISO range. Unfortunately, the F40fd does not have a manual control or even a decent burst mode and its 3x zoom is very short, but it will suffice for consumers who want an automatic point-and-shoot to snap great pictures. With its price under $200, the Fujifilm F40fd can become the best choice as a Digital Compact.