The Fuji Finepix F50 is an advanced ultra-compact digital camera which is packed with technology. It combines a 12 megapixels sensor, CCD-shift image stabilization, semi-automatic exposure and high-ISO capabilities going up to ISO 1600 at full-resolution and ISO 6400 at reduced resolutions. Note that this camera is also known as the Fuji Finepix F50fd and the Fuji Finepix F50SE in some areas.

 

Although the Fuji F50 is an excellent ultra-compact digital camera with good image quality and speed, it is not as much ahead of the competition as were the Fuji F10 or the Fuji F30 before it when they launched. Still, there is little to fault the F50. Its image quality is well above average and, with a resolution of 12 megapixels, most prints come out noise-free. The only serious limitation of the F50 is its relatively slow shot-to-shot speed. Battery life is also shorter than average but enough for a day of shooting.

 

Unlike the Fuji F10, the F50 was introduced with the maximum resolution available among ultra-compact cameras of its time. Although that attracts consumers, the Fuji Finepix F50 should not be dismissed as yet another model designed simply for consumer appeal. Since no other 12 megapixels ultra-compact has been reviewed here yet, the Fuji Finepix F50 is difficult to compare, although it certainly performs better than all the 10 megapixels ultra-compact that we have seen to date.

 

An interesting alternative in terms of features is the HP Photosmart R967. Although its image quality is not as good as the F50 and neither is its speed of operation, the R967 does feature full-manual controls and a number of interesting technologies like in-camera panorama-stitching, adaptive-lighting and a great help system.

 

See our full-length review for an in-depth look and images samples at all ISO sensitivities.