Fujifilm FinePix F40fd

Opinion: I have used it for about a week. F40fd is a value for money issue. It has advantages of using SD card (in addition to xD) and recharging battery with a separate charger (unlike F31fd to charge with the camera). Noise reduction is quite good compared with Canon A710IS.

I was surprised by one of the modes in shooting 'text'. It is very good when copying without pens.

Opinion: Yesterday, i'have received my F40. I 'm very happy et estonishaded by the quality. Comaparaison with my Canon EOs 400 D here :
http://proshow-slideshow-picturestoexe.info/canon_400-fuji_f40.jpg

Opinion: After having read tests of the F30/31 I anticipated the F40fd. I was looking for the highest quality compact camera that I would use as an alternative to when I would not be bringing along my "big" cameras. To sum up, disappointment. Really sharp lens is marred by, IMO, unacceptable noise artefacts. I shot my test shots at 100 ISO and was surprised to see this. For all the hoopla regarding its high ISO capabilities, I found the images at 800 unacceptable for anything apart from small snapshots.
Looking at dpreview's test samples from the F30, it appears that the F30 is sharper and has far less noise from fewer pixels.
I'm going to return this camera, and next check out a Canon IS900. Hopefully that will be better. All I care about is the final image.

Opinion: I bought this in preference to the F30/31fd because of its immediate availability and more pocketable proportions. I hoped not to regret the decision, and I haven't.

It does exactly what I need in a fast point & shoot shirt pocket camera that will let me suppress flash and underexpose 2/3 f-stop. I shoot almost exclusively at best quality so high ISO wasn't a consideration. Except for this: I wanted to be able to get good shots indoors in dim light at parties when called for. This camera is excellent for that, so hooray even with some noise that puts other digicams to shame at comparable ISOs. It is not a factor at 100-200 where I shoot. The SD card was also important since I already had several.

The body is elegantly pocketable with and improves on the F-series with rounded edges and a depth narrower by .2 inches than the F30. It also retains the essential flat base for table tops and flat (left) side for bracing on walls or poles. So was it possible to build into this shrinking case the picture quality I wanted?

This camera exceeds any other pocket cameras I've ever used in several ways. My reaction comes after many years of film, starting with a Fujica Half frame film camera, Leicas and Nikons - and digital since the first VGA digicams. I have used and retired an ancient HP (ugh), a Ricoh RDC-1 (a system ahead of its time), a Finepix F401 (fast for its time), a Nikon S3 (disappointment), S4 (also a letdown after my still used Coolpix 990), an early 3 Mpixel Canon Elph (good), and my trusty, if tubby for a pocketcam, Canon S70 with full manual controls and now so seldom seen RAW. I also have well used Nikons SLRs film and digital including a D70 and newer D200 with a collection of old and new lenses.

So, I've now tested the F40fd at ISO 200 against my D200 with two different Nikkor lenses, the 24-80 G ED and an old AI-modified 24mm F2.8. I am shocked at the initial results and will try to further validate that I find the little F40fd to be capable of delivering more fine detail out of camera such as tiny tree branches against overcast or blue sky than either of the Nikkors at 24mm compared to the F40 at maximum wide angle. I know that skeptics will doubt my lax techniques but I wanted to simulate normal hand-held usage. SLR camera shake and conservative in-camera settings were probably the culprit here, as was the narrower depth of field. Next I'll use a tripod and small apertures although tree branches rarely will stand still for long exposures.

Post processing of the Nikon images substantially narrowed the gap and revealed an ultimately more satisfying result compared with the sharpening artifacts in the F40fd results, but I am in agreement with others who have observed that Fuji has tweeked its in-camera effects to deliver immediate satisfaction requiring little post processing except to adjust for bad choice of settings. There are after all several too-easily engaged buttons where my thumb typically wants to grip, although in response to an errant press, a prominent message on the vivid LCD describes the effect accompanied by the standard Fuji beep.

I'm also satisfied that purported F-series overexposure is not an issue with careful selection of exposure mode. I still find it is safest with all autoexpusure systems to set the exposure compensation to under expose by at least 1/3 f stop or frequently more in contrasty situations.

So far, this is the best out-of-the-camera image producer of all, and the fastest of many P&S digicams and similar to my old 2 Mpixel Fuji 401 that finally broke down after several years of abuse. It was fast for its time, colors and contrast were good, and exposures were good on the fly. The F40fd amplifies these attributes and adds incredible detail. I look forward to the day that Fuji gives me complete manual control and RAW in a pocket camera with another state-of-the-art CCD sensor. Until then, the F40fd will keep company with my Canon S70, used for more demanding shots where precise exposure control is required.