The Fuji S1000fd has become a best seller in the UK, and with some stores retailing this at £110, it is easy to be drawn into this high-specification device. Those who are new to digital photography will probably be wondering if there is any difference between this or a more expensive device. Surely two 10 mega-pixel cameras would be alike in terms of performance? This is not always the case.
Fuji Finepix S1000fd Build Quality
Fuji is very proud of the fact that the S1000 is the smallest bridge camera on the market. It is certainly compact and easy to port around, and the balance of the set means it sits comfortably in the hand. The size of the chassis does not compromise the zoom lens, which offers 12x optical, the equivalent of a 33mm – 396mm in old money.
The zoom itself is smooth and the autofocus works well, even at full extension. When setting up the shot however, users may find that the case is incredibly sensitive to hand shake. A small yellow icon appears in the viewfinder when the camera detects excessive shake, but in some circumstances, it simply refuses to go out. Perhaps a decent tripod would be a suitable addition for the more semi-pro photographer wishing to use this camera.
Fuji Finepix S1000fd In Use
The 2.7-inch LCD display is fine in use, but the viewfinder allows for better stability, so is the preferred option. There are several modes such as SPORT and PARTY which offer different pre-sets for different shooting environments. This being a mini-SLR, much space in the user manual is devoted to setting up manual options for shutter speed and aperture.
It's not as easy to use in this respect as a user of a traditional SLR would like, as it relies on navigating a slightly annoying menu system. It takes time to learn how to use these manual settings, as initial results proved somewhat sketchy. The automatic functions will find favour with most users and the results are generally very good. This is an excellent camera for outdoor use; images are defined and bold in colour.
Fuji Finepix S1000fd Reliability
All the buttons and functions in the world are of no use if the camera itself does not prove to be a reliable workhorse. At this end of the market, the user is likely to be an amateur photographer who is doing the occasional paid shoot or college project. These are situations where the photographer only gets one shot at it, and in this respect, the Fuji S1000 product is quite lacking.
Fuji Finepix S1000fd Faults
The issue seems to be with the software. The first test camera had to be returned as it would freeze on every second or third photo attempt. The replacement device seemed better, but still suffered glitches when shooting indoors under bad lighting.
The camera will freeze completely, requiring the battery cover to be removed and replaced to overcome the lock-up. It's extremely disappointing. The problem in both cameras could be traced to the esoteric reaction by the S1000 to various memory cards. The Kingston 2GB card works well, but the 4GB or 1GB version causes the crashing. Sony cards are a no-go, and cause the device to refuse to switch on. It's unexpected in this day and age, and a severe problem with this camera.
Fuji Finepix S1000fd Conclusion
Fuji's FD will be the answer to the prayers of many an amateur photographer. Unfortunately, for those who are depending on their camera for one-chance shooting where electronic glitches are not an option, it is recommended that the buyer spends a little more and looks at some alternatives to this camera. For light, outdoor recreational use though, where its limitations do not become apparent, the S1000fd represents decent value.
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