Fujifilm FinePix S700

Reviewed August 2007

Image Quality

The Fujifilm S700/S5700, equipped with a standard CCD — not a Super CCD — yields a sharp image when used at the highest image quality and largest image size. Regrettably, like other current Fujifilm non- professional cameras, the S700/S5700 does not offer any compression choice at resolutions less than its 7-megapixel maximum image size, a decidedly odd concept as it is difficult to imagine that adding this type of option to a camera increases its costs.

Set to 7M Fine, the S700/S5700 applies a compression that has a ratio of approximately 7:1. Albeit a substantial compression ratio in comparison to some other "Fine" image quality compression ratios, the resulting images tend to be crisp and the overall image sharpness is unaffected. The other compression level, however, called Normal and the only choice with other image sizes, doubles the compression ratio, and the resulting images can show a loss of detail.

The wide angle of the zoom provides a "small" wide angle that is equivalent to a 38 mm, while the telephoto end is comparable to a 380 mm. Lacking an optical stabilization system, the user must ensure that the camera has a sufficient amount of light to allow for a high shutter speed when the maximum telephoto is used, as otherwise camera shake — the imperceptible movements we all make and which are amplified by the telephoto — can cause a blurry image.

At the 64 ISO level, the lowest sensitivity of the CCD, the FinePix S700/S5700 produces images that are entirely free of noise. Increasing the sensitivity to 100 ISO, the images remain noise-free when there is good light. Under more adverse light conditions, some noise may appear in shadows, but it minimal.

The 200 ISO setting is effectively noise-free as well when images are captured outdoors. Indoors, or with less light, the noise that can sometimes be detected in shadows at 100 ISO level is slightly more visible. The next step, 400 ISO causes yet another slight increase in noise, but the images remain perfectly useable, making the Auto 400 ISO setting acceptable as it limits the sensitivity increase to a maximum of 400 ISO, while letting the camera select the sensitivity as needed to maintain a shutter speed fast enough to prevent most camera shake.

At 800 ISO, the camera needs to have a lot of light to yield images that are acceptable, otherwise, the noise contained in the image is easily visible, and impacts the sharpness of the image. Indeed, the 800 ISO level is best used to maximize the shutter speed when the camera is used with bright natural light. Finally, the 1600 ISO level is of little use as it is simply too noisy. Reasonably well-lit areas of images captured at 1600 ISO look like a watercolour, while shadow areas are heavily marbled and have blotchy random colours.

The Auto white balance of the S700/S5700 is quite reliable. Still, when the conditions are right for it, blue skies can occasionally be reproduced as a paler shade than they are, or contain a hint of turquoise. Used indoors, the auto white balance handles mixed light sources well, even if the flash is used as fill light.

As is often the case with compact cameras that have a built-in flash, flash photos can be disappointing if the subject is too distant for the flash to be effective.

With the S700/S5700 the announced range for the flash is only possible if the camera is allowed to adjust the sensitivity up to 800 ISO. Otherwise, if limited to Auto 400 ISO, the effective range of the flash is considerably less than indicated.