F100fd or F200exr ?????

Hello to all, (in the first place to comment that my English is bad, excuse me)

Some days ago I wrote about last news compact cameras, Canon, Panasonic, Ricoch... and ask what camera seems better.

Today my doubt is between Fuji F100fd or F200exr. I have read a lot of commentaries in this forum and I have see, think, all the pictures that people send and now I do not know if the F100fd is better than the F200exr or the other way around.

I like the best image in my pictures, talking in compact cameras world but I am not an expert. In this moment I have a Panasonic FZ28 but for me it is not the camera that I thought and now I have some money again for to buy other compact camera. My last camera was a Canon Ixus 800 is and it was a nice machine but now is broke and the technical service tell me that the failure is very expensive.
waiting your opinions takes advantage to greet you sincerely.
Seloge.

Pictures with my "kaput" Ixus 800 is.

Hi Seloge,

Both F100fd and F200EXR are good cameras for you, but I guess, no one can really make the decision for you. You will get different opinions anyway.

The Canon IXUS 800 is a very nice camera, why not consider buying a used one or its succesor, such as the IXUS 870, a highly praised camera here too. In this case you will not encounter surprises you have with your FZ28 if you buy either F100 or F200, because you know the operation of the Canon already, may give you better pictures with ease.

Hey, congratulation! You finally got your only on-line gallery. The Photobucket site is quite alright, especially when free. Did you get any help from the folks in Panny forum, regarding the proper usage of FZ28?

--
Best Regards,

Danny

'Close enough is good enough, I just come here for fun'



My Albums
http://photobucket.com/albums/a44/yeeonly

Hello Danny,

How are you?
I hope that all is o.k.
Thanks again for your answer.

Yes, I know that the decision is only mine but always the commentaries that the people as you, people that know the cameras world is always a great help.

Yes, I already thought of looking for a camera like mine in the market of second hand but since I bought it, year 2006, I believed that it had been ahead a lot and perhaps in unnecessary things if that it has been made but in important things I see that the differents marks not worked too much, example: eternal noise problem in compact cameras. (I think that ixus 800 IS has better pictures that more new and superior compact cameras. I think, is my perception only, possibly I am mistaken, but...)

About FZ28, yes, I wrote a note in Panasonic forum but I have only a little, little answer and I must answer it too, possible today, but seems that my question has not an expectation.

And yes too, thanks to your indications I have already been able to put pictures in the forum. I wanted sending you the thank you, sincerely.

Best regards and, please, only a question:
F100 or F200?
Jajajajaja...

Nice day Danny.

Two examples from my FZ28.

Make sure you check out the Panny LX3. I do not own it but from what I've seen in these forums it runs rings around many of the current P&Ss...

The F200 is bound to be followed my newer versions to correct initial faults. Maybe you'll be better off looking for a good used F30/31 (now that their prices are bound to come down) that will serve you well until something definitely better (at a reasonable price) comes along.
--
Best Regards

Sunshine (Fuji F31, S6500, OLY C4000Z, Canon EOS1000 film, Nikon D60, 18-55VR, 55-200VR)

Seloge said:

Yes, I already thought of looking for a camera like mine in the
market of second hand but since I bought it, year 2006, I believed
that it had been ahead a lot and perhaps in unnecessary things if
that it has been made but in important things I see that the
differents marks not worked too much, example: eternal noise problem
in compact cameras. (I think that ixus 800 IS has better pictures
that more new and superior compact cameras. I think, is my perception
only, possibly I am mistaken, but...)

Click to expand...

If you can get a used IXUS 800 at low cost and good condition, why not? But then it is human nature to try something new, after all material things.

Seloge said:

About FZ28, yes, I wrote a note in Panasonic forum but I have only a
little, little answer and I must answer it too, possible today, but
seems that my question has not an expectation.

Click to expand...

I just checked, yes not much replies from the folks there, perhaps you can try posting these 2 pictures there, but I really need to be frank with you, these 2 pics are really nice, the FZ28 is not a bad camera. It is better let the Panny folks provide their opinions, for example, different exposure method and color mode.

As a Panasonic fanboy in Fuji forum, I think I am still qualify to provide some opinion, so I downloaded your 2 pics, did some quick PP to the one with tiger, just adjusted the highlights, add contrast and saturation and sharpening, I think both you and the camera did a great job. I will not post the picture here, because it is impolite to many people for posting their pictures without asking. Give it a try.

I am using a low end photo editing software Photoshop Elements 4 only. I really think you should spend more time with the FZ28, a nice camera, really.

One suggestion, the light was really harsh, why not take pictures earlier or later? Or use a polarizing filter to get rid of some of the harsh light.



As for F100 or F200, spend times looking pictures on the internet, not necessary here, may be pbase.com, Do a search for their respective pictures, also download sample pictures, PP and print them to see which camera produces the result you like.. I am sure you will find your answer within a short time.

--
Best Regards,

Danny

'Close enough is good enough, I just come here for fun'



My Albums
http://photobucket.com/albums/a44/yeeonly

Hello Danny,

On the contrary, for my it is a great honor the one that you have assisted me this way so kind.
For my there really is not any problem in that you put the picture.
Thank you again for everything.

To Sunshine_boy I also give those thanks for their advice but I like more the idea of having those minimum 28 mm. Pity that those big cameras don't have it.

Nice day at both.

Best regards.

Seloge

Seloge, I've used both the F100 and F200 for a few days but don't have a lot of experience with either. They seem to perform similar in good light, but the F200exr is much better in low light. The F100 noise reduction badly smears detail. However, if you are looking for Canon results, you may need to stick with a Canon. I've owned a few Canons. Both brands are great, but they have different color/exposure characteristics. Canon tends to have warmer images than Fuji, but struggles in low light. Canon also does a MUCH better job with its menus. I suggest you take a SD card into camera shop and compare before you buy.

I also have a FZ28 and surprised to hear you don't like it. It can produce very good images and has great control (saturation, contrast, aperture, shutter, etc),. However it still IS a small sensor and in the 35-110 range will only be marginally better than other high end P&Ss (I find its IQ slightly above the TZ5 which is a great compact). You may want to post a "help" topic in the Panny forum to improve your results.

I don't know if Fuji is going to extend their $100 rebate.

but I just picked up an F100fd for $149 US (after rebate). That is quite a large difference from ~$400 for an F200. I figure that 6 months from now, I could sell the F100 for $100 and buy a F200 for $275 if I wish.

Although- I'm really waiting for a good hybrid camera. One that can take good HD video as well as high quality IQ. The Panasonic TZ7 ZS3 is a good option, but still not yet available in the US - and I needed a new camera now. Or, waiting for the new panasonic FX series cameras to be available, as the 25-125mm range is just perfect for my needs and the packaging is terrific.

I've looked at a lot of comparison photos. The F200 has no IQ advantage at ISO400 and below. In fact, the F100 is probably a bit sharper. The Noise is nearly equivalent at ISO800, with a small edge to the F200. The F200 beats the F100 handily at ISO1600- but I seldom use that sensitivity anyway, as it's still really not good enough.

the real gain of the F200 appears to be the 6Mpix mode that increases dynamic range. More photos (of mine) are ruined by blown highlights than are ruined by insufficient detail and resolution.
--

I have owned several Canon SD, Fuji F30/31/40, as well as Panny TZ5 before getting the F100/F200.

I can tell you that it will take a long time to get adjusted to Fuji. The menu system is completely different - Canon and Panny's menu systems are much better than Fuji which is just adequate. However it's something you can get use to it. When it comes to picture - Fuji tends to have more bluish (i.e. neutral) white balance under sunny and cloudy days than Canon; furthermore the Fuji tends to underexpose to prevent blown highlight (except F30 which tends to blow highlights); however the F200EXR is better in this respect than the previous Fuji cameras because of its extended dynamic range.

However, few areas where all the Fuji outshine most Canon SD cameras and also Panasonic TZ5 are

1. Flash Macro - The flash on the Fuji F series throttles back so the subject does not get wash out. I take pictures for my ebay auctions and all the Fuji I owned came out better than the previous Canon and Panasonic I owned.

2. Intelligent flash - Again the Fuji throttles back flash under certain conditions so the ambient lights are captured better so the subject does not look completely "washed out" by the flash. Overall indoor shots looks more "natural" and less "flashy". I have not seen this "intelligent" flash system on Canon or Pannys.

3. Low light - in general all the Fuji F series has better high ISO capability then the comparable Canon or Panasonic; however, on F100FD I would limit ISO to 400 but the F200FD has usable ISO up to 800 even 1600.

Overall, I feel that at the current price point, F100FD is a better buy; in term of outdoor shots, other than the extended dynamic range the F200EXR and F100FD looks pretty much similar to me. If you plan to take a lot of indoor shots w/o flash or if you want that extra dynamic range and if price is not a big factor then F200EXR is a better choice; otherwise I am happy with the F100FD for now until the price of F200EXR comes down.

Robert

Seloge said:

Hello Danny,

How are you?
I hope that all is o.k.
Thanks again for your answer.
Yes, I know that the decision is only mine but always the
commentaries that the people as you, people that know the cameras
world is always a great help.

Yes, I already thought of looking for a camera like mine in the
market of second hand but since I bought it, year 2006, I believed
that it had been ahead a lot and perhaps in unnecessary things if
that it has been made but in important things I see that the
differents marks not worked too much, example: eternal noise problem
in compact cameras. (I think that ixus 800 IS has better pictures
that more new and superior compact cameras. I think, is my perception
only, possibly I am mistaken, but...)

About FZ28, yes, I wrote a note in Panasonic forum but I have only a
little, little answer and I must answer it too, possible today, but
seems that my question has not an expectation.

And yes too, thanks to your indications I have already been able to
put pictures in the forum. I wanted sending you the thank you,
sincerely.

Best regards and, please, only a question:
F100 or F200?
Jajajajaja...

Nice day Danny.

Click to expand...

Just how much better is the F200exr in low light? Is it worth the extra cash? I take a lot of indoor shots without flash, but I'm not sure that I can justify paying so much more for the F200exr or the Panny LX3.

The reviews on the F100fd seem mixed. I've heard some people on this forum refer to it as a "donkey." Yet others seem to absolutely love it--especially given the new price point.

Tupaj said:

The reviews on the F100fd seem mixed. I've heard some people on this
forum refer to it as a "donkey." Yet others seem to absolutely love
it--especially given the new price point.

Click to expand...

That "donkey" camera scored OVERALL WINNER on the recent 2008 Premium Camera Holiday Roundup here at DPreview:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408premiumgroup/page12.asp

I saw the holiday round-up, of course. And yes there seems to be little doubt that the F100fd is better than other cameras in its so-called class when it comes to shooting indoors without flash. Most of the F30/31fd owners aren't sold, however.

At any rate, I am more concerned with how it holds up against the F200exr and the Lumix LX3. Some posters here and on the Panny forum have suggested that these two perform SIGNIFICANTLY better than the F100fd indoors without flash. Is the difference worth $200-$250?

Tupaj said:

At any rate, I am more concerned with how it holds up against the
F200exr and the Lumix LX3. Some posters here and on the Panny forum
have suggested that these two perform SIGNIFICANTLY better than the
F100fd indoors without flash. Is the difference worth $200-$250?

Click to expand...

To ME, yes, its worth $200+ over the F100. If cost is an issue, I found my F45 (still available at Ritz for $179) outperformed the F100, plus it has a faster f2.8 lens. In still life studio test the F100 looks very good, but shooting faces indoors the F100 NR smears all detail. Of course, it's a matter of opinion. Some prefer heavy NR and a watercolor look to noise/grain. I think the less processed looks more like film (and can be processed if you choose).

I have some samples here: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1012&message=31495816