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Fujifilm FinePix F31fd

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Performance And Image Quality
The FinePix F31fd uses the same image sensor and processor as the FinePix F30, so we've come to expect similar performance and image quality. Overall, this new Fujifilm is still a zippy camera but it falls short, like its predecessor, with noisy autofocusing and the sluggish continuous shooting.

Auto white balance didn't fail us on most occasions, though it did falter a little under incandescent lighting. We noticed the same issues on the earlier F30 and the current F31fd where our pictures tended to clip the highlights in bright outdoor scenery, losing slight details in the extremities. One way to overcome the earlier problem is to shoot slightly underexposed. Purple fringing was also evident especially in high-contrast areas.

Like the F30, we were happy to shoot up to ISO 1,600 without any qualms. While an increasing number of compact cameras claim to achieve the same sensitivity settings, the pictures at ISO 800 and ISO 1,600 usually look like they are coated with a layer of sand and are passable only for viewing on the camera's LCD or on the computer. In comparison, our shots with the F31fd at ISO 800 and below can rival almost any compact shooters in the market or, in some cases, better them. Though unlikely, but if the situation called for it, we'd use ISO 3,200 on the F31fd.

A full review of the Fujifilm FinePix F30 can be found here.

Conclusion
Noise, or the lack of it, is this FinePix's claim to fame. Like its predecessor, the FinePix F31fd excels in low-light shooting conditions where using flash is frowned upon. The build quality of the camera is also top-notch and lends a solid feel in use. While some may bemoan the "lower" resolution compared with the high-resolution competition, 6 megapixels is, in fact, sufficient for most uses. Given an optical image stabilizer and wider lens, this Fujifilm would have been perfect. Nonetheless, the FinePix F31fd is still in a class of its own when it comes to low-light performance, keeping its competition at arm's length.

 
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