Fujifilm FinePix F50fd

The Fujifilm FinePix F50fd has many of the features that are no standard on point and shoot cameras. It has an extremely good face detection, 12MP CCD sensor and a number of other great features. This is the first Fujifilm camera that we’ve reviewed here and so far I’m very impressed.

Here are a few of the technical specifications for the FinePix F50fd:

• Street price: $249.99 approx.
• 12MP
• 2.7″ LCD
• ISO Sensitivity: 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 6400
• Shutter Speed: 8 sec to 1/2000 sec
• Aperture:F2.8 - F8

Things I like
The thing I like most about this camera is probably its face detection function. I realize that most cameras have this now, but the FinePix F50fd’s face detection outperforms almost any other cameras version of face detection. Fuji has updated its face detection, and though most cameras need to find two eyes to detect a face, Fuji’s new Face Detection 2.0 can find a face even when it’s in full profile, just as advertised. Fuji’s system is also quite responsive, noticing a face in the frame very quickly, as long as face detection is enabled.

I also like the fact that this camera provides a number of different manual controls as well as image stabilization. These things just add to the value of the camera and make it feel more like a SLR than a point and shoot (when it comes to the ability to customize your photos).

Things I don’t like
This camera is a little sluggish between photos. Most people won’t notice this, because it really isn’t that big of a problem, but I’m used to my SLR’s with their quick shooting capabilities. On average, it took approximately 2.9 seconds for the F50fd to take multiple shots. While this isn’t too bad it is slower than a number of cameras we’ve reviewed before.

The final thing I don’t like (and have stated many, many times), is that this camera doesn’t have an optical viewfinder. In an attempt to make the camera as small as possible, Fujifilm has not included something that is extremely important if you’re shooting outside. In direct sunlight the LCD can be totally useless and I would have liked to have seen an optical viewfinder (othercameras are doing it).
Pros:

• Excellent face detection
• Lots of manual controls
• Image stabilization
• Inexpensive

Cons:

• A little sluggish
• No optical viewfinder

Final Thoughts
The Fujifilm FinePix F50fd should please most snapshooters and its above-average exposure controls should appeal to advanced photographers, too.

Rating: 3.8 / 5