Photo answers review
Photo answers rating 
The Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd features a 10Mp sensor with a large 18x optical zoom lens that’s equivalent to 27-486mm on a 35mm camera. The 2.5in TFT LCD screen has a digital viewfinder - a useful feature that’s been lost on many smaller digital compacts. The back of the camera is laid out clearly and is easy to navigate, while the top-plate features the main mode dial and buttons for face detection and IS activation. There are 16 scene modes with a super macro mode for close-up photography which works really well, focusing as close as 1cm.
With the massive zoom range that the Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd offers, camera shake could be a big problem – long focal lengths exaggerate any movement from the camera, blurring shots if a slow shutter speed is used – so an anti-shake system is a must. The CCD-shift mechanism in the S8100fd compensates for camera shake and will reduce the effects, eliminating it completely in some cases.
Pick up the Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd for the first time and you’ll be impressed by its solid feel. The hand wraps comfortably around the camera’s high-end, rubberized handgrip, and an index finger can be used to control the zoom and shutter buttons. The majority of the controls are within reach of your right hand; the fully rotational mode dial is ideally placed to be spun around with your thumb and the D-pad is well located on the rear for easy navigation.
Fujifilm’s menu system is clearly laid out and was fast to use - the F mode menu button can be found just above the D-pad opposite the play button and this provides access to the ISO, quality and colour settings, rather than having to dive into the main menu. Even though power-up time isn’t instant, it fired into life in just over a second, so you’ll be able to shoot those ‘moment’ shots as they happen.
We tested the camera’s ISO range and it gave good results up to IS0 400. Push beyond ISO 400 and digital noise is more recognizable, as you’d expect, alhoughs no worse than the S8100fd’s closest competitor, the Panasonic LUMIX FZ18. It does offer the option of shooting at ISO 3200 and 6400, but the maximum resolution does drop to 5Mp.
The Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd compact won’t suit everyone, but the large zoom range will hold huge appeal for some, with a range that’s great for landscape shots all the way through to grabbing close-up wildlife images. It also compares very favourably with its closest competitors – the Olympus SP-560 UZ and the Panasonic FZ18. The build feels a tad more refined, thanks in part to the large rubberized grip, while it’s pretty hassle free to use, too. Considering the size of the zoom housed inside, it’s still pretty compact too, so if you’re in the market for a superzoom digital compact camera, then the FinePix S8100fd is definitely one for the shortlist.
Specification
Resolution: 10 million pixels
Lens: 18x Optical zoom lens (equivalent to 27-486mm in 35mm terms)
ISO range: ISO 64–1600 (3200-6400 5Mp)
Image stabilisation: CCD-shift image stabilisation
Shooting modes: Auto, PS (Anti-Blur), Natural Light, Natural Light & with Flash, Zoom Bracketing, SP1, SP2, P, A, S, M, Movie. SP1/SP: Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower, Text, Action
Flash: Built-in pop up flash
Memory card: xD Picture Card (xD), SD, SDHC
Monitor: 2.5in, 230k
Power Supply: 4xAA-Size Alkaline batteries
Weight/Dimensions: (W/H/D): 405g /111.3 x 78.2 x 79.3mm