Overview
The Fuji Finepix Z10 fd is a very simple, pocket sized digital camera. It is a seven megapixel camera with a 3x optical zoom lens. It is available in a wide variety of colours and I get the feeling Fuji are looking to sell the Finepix Z10 fd based on its appearance and compactness. The fd in the camera's name stands for face detection, with special focusing technology included to try to produce portrait shots with sharply focused faces.
Main Features
Megapixels:
Zoom:
LCD Screen:
Dimensions:
Weight:
7
3x
2.5 inches
91.2 x 56.55 x 18.75
0g
Macro:
HD Movies:
Manual Controls:
Batteries:
Memory Cards:
8cm
No
No
Lithium-ion Rechargeable
xD/SD/SDHC
Image Quality - See Sample Images Below
Outdoor Scenic Shots in Good Light
Focusing is the biggest issue I have with this picture. Sharpness is one of the most important aspects of any photo in my book and I am not particularly impressed with what is quite a soft photo. There is also a fair amount of detail lost to sun glare. The Finepix Z10 fd is not off to the best of starts.
Some purple fringing (purple lines added to the edges of light coloured objects) shows on the boat on the left hand side of the photo. This is not something I see very often with smaller compacts. Focusing also fails to meet the standard set by a number of other models.
Yesterday I was testing the Casio Exilim EX-Z1200. This is another pocket sized camera that perhaps does not quite have the same look as the Finepix Z10 fd. The fact is though that the Casio model managed to produce a much sharper photo than this effort.
Portraits
This is a better photo, but! Despite using face detection focusing the face is not as sharp as I am used to seeing. On top of this I can see some noise causing a loss of detail in the hair. This is something I am not used to seeing. There is also more detail lost where the light strikes the forehead. Again this is something most other cameras cope well with.
One of Fuji's big selling pitches is how well their cameras cope with lowlight. Although this photo is no worse that other cameras I have tested in terms of sharpness and noise it suggests that once the light starts to dip it is time to turn on the flash.
This is a better photo than the indoor portrait without flash. I am not convinced that the photo is quite as sharp as some other cameras have managed, but it is not far off. There is also no red eye showing in the shot. This doesn't mean that red eye will never occur, but it does suggest that red eye reduction on the Finepix Z10 fd can do a decent job.
Macro, Colours and Noise
The macro shot falls into the average category. The photo is not quite pin sharp, but it is not a bad effort.
Overall I have no real complaints about the colours. Although for my own personal taste they could be a bit stronger.
Already there are signs of a sinigicant loss of picture quality as noise levels show up. Some of the colours also start to break up.
At this level the Finepix Z10 fd is really struggling.
Summary
Well it will come as no surprise to hear me say I wouldn't buy this camera based on picture quality. To be honest it is disappointing.
Style
The Finepix Z10 fd looks very small. It comes in seven different colours so you should be able to find one you like. The emphasis is on brightness. As with other cameras with the lens tucked away in the top right hand corner I find it difficult to get a good hold of the camera without getting my fingers in the shot.
Shutter Lag Times
Single Shot
Five Shots
Single Shot With Flash
Five Shots With Flash
0.25 seconds
8.22 seconds
0.48 seconds
11.62 seconds
Ease of Use
This is about as simple as you can get. There are very few buttons and dials and the menu system is straightforward too.
Points I Like
Ease of use - choice of colours - large internal memory
Where it Could Improve
Picture quality
Verdict
Well for me a good looking, fun camera is let down by picture quality. If picture quality is not the be all and end all then the Fuji Finepix Z10 fd could be of interest to you. This is especially true if you are looking for a camera that is easy to use.
Product Shots
Front View
Back View
Top View
Sample Menus
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Related Pages
Fuji Finepix Z10 fd Review Fuji Finepix Z10 fd Specification Fuji Finepix Z10 fd Sample Images Fuji Finepix Z10 fd Features
Review Date
November 2007
