Compared to... (contd.)

Colour Chart Comparison

Now we can compare the Finepix 6900Z to a few of other cameras. Using samples from our test archives, we will now compare its image quality to the Nikon Coolpix 995, Canon PowerShot G1 and Sony DSC-S85. I've thrown the 4 megapixel DSC-S85 in here as an 'upper end' expectation of resolution.

Colour charts are shot in daylight, Auto White Balance, EV compensation +0.3 (all cameras), measured light ~10 EV. This test is also dependent on the accuracy of the camera's auto white balance, the colour charts are shot in daylight but some camera's white balance is better than others. All cameras are given 20 seconds to "settle" before the shot is taken.

Fujifilm FinePix 6900Z	Nikon Coolpix 995
Canon PowerShot G1	Sony DSC-S85

In the table below we're only measuring colour. The RGB values were measured from a VGA reduced image (to average colours, remove noise and eliminate JPEG artifacts) using the Eyedropper tool in Photoshop with a 5 by 5 Average Sample Size.

As you can see the 6900Z really pulls colour out of the test chart. These are probably the most vivid colours we've seen from our test chart since we reviewed the S1 Pro. They may, however, not be to everyone's taste and so I'll reiterate my request for a saturation control on the next FinePix digital camera.

Resolution Comparison

Shots here are of the PIMA/ISO 12233 standard resolution test chart (more of which are available in our comparison database). This resolution chart allows us to measure the actual performance of the lens and sensor system. It measures the ability of the camera to resolve lines at gradually higher resolutions and enables us to provide a definitive value for comparison purposes. Values on the chart are 1/100^th lines per picture height. So a value of 8 equates to 800 lines per picture height.

Studio light, cameras set to auto, all settings factory default. Exposure compensation +0.7 EV for all cameras.

NOTE: Because of the size difference between the 6mp 6900Z image and the rest I've made the crop taller so you can see the same area of the chart.

Fujifilm FinePix 6900Z
Nikon Coolpix 995
Canon PowerShot G1
Sony DSC-S85

Measurable findings (three measurements taken for each camera):

Definition of terms:

Very interesting results here, the 6900Z performs very well on these resolution tests at its 6 megapixel setting. That's probably thanks in part to the intelligence of its internal processing (enlarging) algorithm being able to carry the resolution lines through the higher frequencies.

But let's not to take anything away from the 6900Z, certainly on this test its combination of lens and SuperCCD do appear to be delivering resolution which is in line with the best 3 megapixel digital camera and certainly in the vertical direction up there with the 4 megapixel DSC-S85.