Fujifilm's new F200EXR compact digital camera was recently put to the test. Looking for proof of the camera's adapability in challenging conditions, Patrick Fordham, a professional photographer and college instructor in Independent Digital Photography at Seneca College in Toronto, compared the F200EXR's performance against three leading point-and-shoot digitals - the Canon G10, Canon SD990IS and the Sony W300.
Patrick Fordham has produced photographs for North America's largest corporations and magazines for more than 20 years. His focus is shooting executive portraits, white and blue collar operational photos, industrial photographs, corporate conceptual images, and editorial-style environmental portraits.
Patrick was hired by Fujifilm as a 3rd party unbiased photographer to compare the F200EXR versus the competitions leading compact cameras (Canon G10, Canon SD990IS and Sony W300).
Wide Dynamic Range Shot
"I chose an area of the University of Toronto campus for its architectural features that would allow us to photograph a consistent scene that had the potential of creating an image with a large and usually unmanageable difference between highlights and shadows. We started shooting at 10:30am and finished by 11:30am. I ensured that all cameras were set to the lowest ISO (80 or 100) to ensure the lowest possible noise and consistency between cameras. All competitive cameras were shot on the Program mode, Auto White Balance and with the auto focus set at Face Detection, if such a feature was available. In order to set the ISO for the F200EXR, the F200EXR was shot in EXR Wide Dynamic Range priority mode with ISO 100. I hand held each camera and made sure the composition of the model and background was as identical as possible for each shot."
Wide Dynamic Range Test - Results
(click image to enlarge)
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Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR |
Canon Powershot G10 |
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Make: Fujifilm |
Make: Canon |
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Canon Powershot SD990IS |
Sony Cybershot W300 |
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Make: Canon |
Make: Sony |
Fujifilm Hyper Utility Software
Fujifilm's Hyper Utility Software provides a number of functions for analyzing images. The "Show Warning" feature was selected to show locations where overexposure or underexposure has occurred.
Blue Highlights
Underexposure - Gradations are lost in dark areas and they appear completely black.
Red Highlights
Overexposure - Gradations are lost in bright areas such as sky or white clothing.
Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR vs. Canon Powershot G10
Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR vs. Canon Powershot SD990IS
Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR vs. Sony Cybershot W300
High Sensitivity Shot
"I chose a dimly lit Italian restaurant on Dundas Street in Toronto. For this shot I ensured that all cameras were set to ISO (800) to ensure fair comparison - although, I could not force the Sony to shoot with an ISO higher than 400. All competitive cameras were shot on Program mode, Auto White Balance and Face Detection auto focus. As a side note, the G10 white balance was preset to the Tungsten setting. In order to set the ISO for the F200EXR, the F200EXR was shot in EXR Auto mode with ISO 800. I also made sure the composition of the model and background was as identical for each shot. These cameras were all mounted on a tripod. The distance from the camera to model did not change through the entire test."
Low Light Test - Results
(click image to enlarge)
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Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR |
Canon Powershot G10 |
Canon Powershot SD990IS |
Sony Cybershot W300 |
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| Make: FUJIFILM Model: FinePix F200EXR Exposure Time: 1/5.3 sec. F Number: F4.1 ISO Speed Ratings: 800 Exposure Mode: Auto White Balance: Auto Sharpness: Normal |
Make: Canon Model: Canon Powershot G10 Exposure Time: 1/10 sec. F Number: F3.5 ISO Speed Ratings: 800 Exposure Mode: Auto White Balance: Tungsten Lamp Sharpness: Normal |
Make: Canon Model: Powershot SD990IS Exposure Time: 1/6 sec. F Number: F4.0 ISO Speed Ratings: 800 Exposure Mode: Auto White Balance: Auto Sharpness: Normal |
Make: Sony Model: DSC-W300 Exposure Time: 1/4 sec. F Number: F4.0 ISO Speed Ratings: 400 Exposure Mode: Auto White Balance: Auto Sharpness: Normal |
Conclusions / Testimonials
"I set out to simulate the most hands-off type of picture taking these cameras could afford, then to see how their sensors could handle a High Dynamic Range and High ISO (Low Light) situation.
In both situations, I also captured some raw files with my Canon IDsMarkII for my personal point of reference.
The only camera that was successful in capturing highlight detail in the brightest part of the model's white sweater and hair/face while maintaining good overall exposure and shadow detail, was the Fuji F200EXR. I am sorry to say, this includes my Canon IDsMarkII.
You do not have to be a photographic expert to see the difference.
This highlight capturing ability goes beyond significant exposure changes in the competiton's cameras. For example, if you tried to reduce your exposure to capture the equivalent highlight detail found in the F200EXR, you would significantly darken the mid-tones and shadows thereby producing an overall under-exposed image.
For you professionals, serious adjustments to the initial exposure and subsequent manipulation to the raw file would get you close but the results may not seem as natural. This camera seems to have something similar to Photoshop's HDR ability (combining multiple exposed files) built in.
In the High ISO test, the Fuji F200EXR produced the lowest, most pleasing noise of all the test cameras, this includes the Canon G10's in camera JPGs but not my Canon IDsMarkII, thankfully.
The Fuji F200EXR files did not have the usual "water colour brush" effect or lack of detail that many compact camera images exhibit when they are forced to use a high ISO.
The Fuji F200EXR also produced the nicest White Balance and was the closes to my colour corrected 1DsMarkII raw file."
Patrick Fordham
You can visit Patrick Fordham at http://www.torontophotographer.com
