The boom of vintage digicams has been one of the most surprising aspects of the camera market. As the camera industry is gearing up for larger megapixel devices, there is a segment that is simply done with them: Gen Z. Thus, The Phoblographer thought that it would be best to help younglings, many of whom are also our readers, to find the perfect vintage digicam for their needs. So far, we have reviewed icons such as the Canon S95, Ricoh GRD III, and the Sony DSC-T200 (2007). Joining this fray is Fujifilm FinePix F10, launched in 2005. Now, almost 20 years later, do we think the device is worth the money? Read more to find out.
One of the more affordable offerings, the Fujifilm FinePix F10, can cost anywhere between $75 to $130 on eBay. However, for the price, the camera offers ample features, some of which are better than your phone. For starters, the digicam features a 6.3MP 1/1.7-inch Super CCD HR sensor, a 3x optical zoom lens (36mm—108 mm equiv.), a 2.5-inch LCD, and an ISO range of 80-1600. In addition, it includes three color modes (Standard, Chrome, and Black and White), 8 shooting modes, a built-in flash, four focus modes, and even a macro mode.
How Does It Feel
The Fujifilm FinePix F10 is a well-designed camera that is incredibly diminutive and can fit in your denim pocket. On the top panel, the digicam has a power button and four modes (Scene Mode, Auto, Manual, and Video), which one can switch between by clicking the dial. At the back, you have a zoom lever, a playback button, an ‘F’ button, and a display/back button. In addition, you also have the macro mode, flash, and LCD brightness buttons. There is also a thin strap, which allows you to keep the camera at all times.
In my whole week of shooting, the camera fit like a glove. It is fast, responds to your commands quickly, and even has an AF illuminator to help you get the best autofocus in dimly lit areas. It does not have weather sealing, but the build quality feels quite solid in your hand. The body does not feel cheap, and it has a small ‘grip’ that makes it easy to hold the camera and avoid any slipping. There is also an indent below the zoom lever where you can place your thumb while you use the shutter. Furthermore, since it is small, it is easy to shoot inconspicuously in crowded areas. Honestly, that was one of my biggest win points since I don’t like being noticed when I shoot.
The Fujifilm FinePix F10 is a well-designed camera that is incredibly diminutive and can fit in your denim pocket
How Does it Perform
There is a lot to like about the Fujifilm FinePix F10. The first thing you will like is the image quality. Despite having a 1/1.7-inch sensor, the images are quite sharp and vibrant. With the Standard color mode, the images will appear a tad bit less saturated; however, if you use the Chrome mode, the pictures look far more punchy. Honestly, I rarely felt the need to edit my images, especially when I used the color modes. Even if you make images at night, the camera does justice to the pictures. At up to ISO 800, the images look great, but if you push past ISO 1600, you will see visible grain.
The autofocus has been quite sharp and quick in many situations. I could capture fast-moving subjects pretty well and even make great images with the macro mode. However, there were a few instances at night when the autofocus struggled a bit. That’s because some areas had little light, but despite that, the camera was able to throw its AF illuminator to catch on to the object I was pointing at. In fact, the digicam is smart enough to have an ‘AF!’ warning sign, which blinks on the LCD when the camera is unable to focus. So, that way, you know you won’t miss a shot.
The flash is also quite powerful for the size of this device. I used it indoors and outdoors, day and night, and I was quite satisfied with how well it lit my frame. In fact, the most fun I had was using a slower shutter to capture motion blur. If you enjoy playing with your images, the F10 is the perfect little device to do it all.
With the Standard color mode, the images will appear a tad bit less saturated; however, if you use the Chrome mode, the pictures look far more punchy. Honestly, I rarely felt the need to edit my images, especially when I used the color modes.
I also enjoyed using the zoom lens, which allowed me to capture action or scenery at a great distance. This is where the camera shines well, too. My phone would die out at 3x, but the device worked splendidly well, even at the 180mm equivalent range. Furthermore, if you pair your images with different white balance settings, the Fujifilm FinePix F10 can give you images with a distinct film-like quality. You can see the results below.
Lastly, the battery quality is quite great, too. For instance, I used the camera for a whole week, shooting for an average of 2-3 hours daily. I only had to charge it once during this entire duration. Another reason for this is that the camera will automatically shut off if you keep it ideal for more than 2-3 minutes. This is a pretty decent output, considering how often I have to put my phone on battery-saving mode to shoot for 3-4 hours.
What Could Have Been Better
To recap my thoughts, I did not have many challenges with the camera. However, there are a few things that I wish were better. For instance, the LCD should have a little more detail and brightness. On sunny days, it was practically impossible to see what I was shooting, even if I made the LCD brighter from the menu. Why? Because brightness meant that the screen increased the highlights, making any detail impossible to see.
I also had some issues with the menu. While the camera is designed to make things simpler with its different modes, I realize you can’t make certain changes in some modes. For instance, in Scene Mode, I can switch between Natural Light, Night Mode, and Portrait Mode based on my needs. However, I won’t be able to access these again in Auto or Manual Mode. Furthermore, the design makes all settings pretty accessible to you. For instance, in the Manual Mode, once you press the menu, you can choose from exposure compensation to white balance, which is not available in other shooting modes. There are also settings like white balance, continuous shooting mode(top 3, final 3, and 40 frames), and AE compensation buried inside the menu. For those who switch between them often, the camera can be somewhat frustrating to use.
Despite being a 20-year-old device, the Fujifilm FinePix F10 is a surprising little camera that gives and keeps giving.
Who Should Buy It?
The boom of digicam has given one a plethora of options to choose from. So, why should you get the Fujifilm FinePix F10? It is a reliable camera that was able to match my phone’s output. It can shoot action, but you have to learn to be patient. That’s the biggest takeaway. We are so engrossed with 125fps shooting capability that we assume a 3fps burst shoot is of no use. It is, honestly. And it also led me to anticipate the movement of my subjects much better. Furthermore, the camera does not have a long buffer time to store the photographs, which is another win-win.
If you are someone who is tired of a phone and does not wish to invest in a mirrorless system, then this digicam is your go-to choice. It is a cheaper offering, and it is certainly a strong contender in the 7MP sensor market. Furthermore, you will appreciate the little scene and color modes, which make it easy to work on the image. It’s a camera that allows you to take a step back and rejoice in the beauty of old tech. Honestly, it is perhaps the most refreshing camera I have used in my 8 years as a journalist. That says a lot about Fujifilm’s commitment to making a device that meets the needs of serious enthusiasts and beginners alike.
Despite being a 20-year-old device, the Fujifilm FinePix F10 is a surprising little camera that gives and keeps giving. All you have to do is slow down a little and observe the beauty of the world as it unfolds in front of your lens.
Sample Images
The Phoblographer has been huge on transparency with our audience since day one. Nothing from this review is sponsored. Further, many folks will post reviews and show lots of editing in the photos. The problem then becomes that anyone and everyone can do the same thing. They’re not showing what the lens can do. So, we have a section in our Extra Image Samples area to show edited and unedited photos. From this, you can decide for yourself.
Unedited
Edited
