Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd - An Amazing Zoom
Reviewed on 25 March 2008

There’s always been an element of bridging cameras that just didn’t ring true. They were neither point and shoots or DSLRS. They weren’t really lightweight and compact, and they didn’t offer the full range of control and functions as a DSLR, but fell somewhere in the middle. And because of that, they’ve been overshadowed for a long time, especially as now entry-level DSLRs are flooding the market with lightweight cameras that are easy to understand and still have that range of flexibility.

For awhile bridging cameras kept up with the competition with an arsenal of special features that gave them that extra edge. A few extra gadgets like time lapse video shooting, ultra fast burst shooting or several fun toys that DSLRs just don’t offer. It allowed them to be counted in, but at the end of the day, it’s the extra bit of creative elbow room that photographers want, as well as something that doesn’t weigh a ton.

But even as DSLRs become smaller and easier, Fujifilm is striking back with the Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd. The FinePix S1000fd is bragging the unique distinction of being the smallest camera to have a powerful 12x optical zoom lens, equivalent to a 33-396mm zoom lens inside the 102.5 x 73 x 67.8mm body. It also carries a nice 10 megapixels sensor, a fairly sensitive ISO of about 3200 and squeezes in a 2.7-inch LCD. It is in short comparable to an entry level DSLR, like the D40x in many of its features.

The D40x is one of the lightest DSLRs on the market, and with a fairly decent lens could achieve similar zoom capabilities with the FinePix S1000fd. To achieve a comparable zoom with the S1000fd, the D40x would have to have a decent lens like the sigma 28-300mm lens. Herein lies the trouble with DSLRs, the D40x is popular because of its lightweight body relative to DSLRs, but the body alone is 522g. The Sigma 28-300mm lens is 490g all on its own. Together they weigh just over a kilo at 1012g. The S1000fd weighs only 325g, and it doesn’t need any extra lenses to achieve that 12x zoom.

No one can deny the difference in weight of 687g. When you are talking about holding a camera up to your face, finding the right shot and clicking at the right moment, 687g is a fairly hefty burden to be holding up. Of course the debate is out on whether the 12x optical zoom on the S1000fd is as good as a decent DSLR with a fairly good lens, but it’s like comparing an apple with a crate of oranges. The difference in weight is more than a trifle worry and the real point is the balance of weight and functions. There are plenty of cameras for people who want the feather-light cameras and plenty of professional level DSLRs, but most people want a balance of features and size and the Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd provides just that.