Fujifilm FinePix F60fd

Photo answers review

Photo answers rating

The FinePix F60fd shares the same design as the ageing F50fd, with what Fujifilm terms an‘Aero curve’ design and finished in a matt black to give a perceived high-end look.

Like the F50fd, the F60fd has a resolution of 12Mp – probably about the upper limit for a sensor of this physical size. However, the ISO can now be increased above ISO 1600, but this does come at the expense of ultimate resolution – at ISO 3200 it drops to 6Mp and at ISO 6400, it’s down to a lowly 3Mp. At ISO 6400, our test shots weren’t very encouraging – Noise (digital grain) was clearly evident, and should only be used if there isn’t an alternative. To be fair, though, it’s rare for a compact to be able to shoot as high as this and is an extra facility that other compacts just don’t offer.

The F60fd employs Face Detection 3.0, detecting up to 10 faces in a scene, while also registering faces in profile  – or even if they’re upside down for some reason! Following a similar method to Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto, the F60fd is equipped with Scene Recognition technology, assessing which scene mode is suitable and automatically setting it, along with White Balance and exposure. If you want more control, there’s a manual mode, along with aperture and shutter priority modes.

There’s a 3x Fujinon optical zoom lens with a range from 35-105mm – it would have been nice to have seen the F60fd with a slightly wider coverage, allowing you to squeeze more into the frame; the long end will allow you to get pretty tight crop on your subject and is more than enough for flattering portraits. The 3in screen is clear and bright, with a very good viewing angle, while the menu system is pretty straightforward to navigate.

Images at low ISOs are strong with punchy colours and good levels of detail. As mentioned, this does deteriorate when it’s cranked up a bit, as you’d expect, with loss of detail and saturation.

With the added features, the F60fd is an improvement over the F50fd. If there are some niggles, it would be nice to see a wider zoom coverage – ideally 28mm – but it’s a solid compact, with decent results at low ISOs and the added benefit of complete photographic control. It’s also good value, too, at just under £160.    

Specification 

Resolution: 12Mp
Lens: 3x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 35-105mm in 35mm terms)
ISO range: 100-1600, expandable to ISO 3200 (@ 6Mp) and ISO 6400 (@ 3Mp)
Image stabilisation: Dual Image Stabilisation
Shooting modes: M, A, S and 16 scene modes.
Memory card: SD/SDHC memory cards and xD-Picture Card
Monitor: 3in TFT, 230k dots
Focusing: Multi & Centre, Face Detection 3.0
Weight/Dimensions: 163g/92.5x59x23mm