Digital Home Thoughts: DCRP Reviews the Fuji FinePix F200EXR

"The Fuji FinePix F200EXR ($399) is a compact camera with a one-of-a-kind sensor. The SuperCCD EXR sensor found in the F200EXR allows the user to select what's most important in the photo they're taking: high resolution, high sensitivity and low noise, or wide dynamic range. Previous SuperCCD sensors have been better that the competition in terms of noise, and Fuji is looking to widen their lead in that area, while also improving dynamic range (which is never a strong point on compact cameras). I'll tell you more about the SuperCCD EXR later in the review. The sensor isn't the only thing that's changed since the FinePix F100fd from last year. The F200EXR also features a larger LCD, manual controls, new film simulation modes, improved flash metering, and support for HD video output. Some things that haven't changed include its 5X, 28 - 140 mm lens, image stabilization, elaborate face detection system, and VGA movie mode."

"Mixed bag" seems to describe this camera quite effectively. The dynamic range feature works fairly well in some photos, and less so in others, and at ISO 800 the images it takes are noticeably better than competing cameras from Sony and Canon. On the negative side, it lacks HD video capture like many other cameras on the market today, and even with the VGA-resolution videos you can't zoom while recording video. Lacklustre battery life and soft images round out the not-so-good category. It's a competitive market out there in the point and shoot category, and it seems like there are better cameras out there than the F200EXR.