Digital Photo - July 2008
Digital Photo Silver Award
"The Fuji FinePix S100FS is the best bridge compact currently available - it's packed with features, has a nice solid feel in the hand and the images more than hold up under close inspection. The advantages of this bridge compact are obvious to potential buyers - it's an all in one solution with a colossal zoom range and there's no risk of dust getting on the sensor. It's attractively priced, too, for what you get - to match that kind of focal range on a D-SLR you'd have to invest another £100-£150 on an extra telephoto zoom."
Which Digital Camera - July 2008
"The Fujifilm S100FS is a bit of an imposter in this DSLR test, because, while it may look similar to the other models on review, it isn't a DSLR. It is a ‘bridge' camera that is intended to span the gap between high-end compact cameras and consumer level DSLR models.
It certainly stacks up against our DSLR line-up. Its impressive specification list includes an eighth generation Super CCD sensor boasting 11.1-megapixels. Also on offer are full manual and semi-automatic PASM exposure control and ample preset modes that should cover most shooting requirements. One unique aspect is its movie recording mode...
The fixed 28-400mm f/2.8-3.5 zoom lens is one of the biggest attributes. This Fujinon 14.3x lens is the most useful of any model in the test. It enables users to capture a wide range of close-up and distant subject matter."
Practical Photography - June 2008
"The S100 could be considered Fuji's entry-level D-SLR, although it doesn't include an interchangeable lens system. It's a great choice for those who need to buy one camera to suit the whole family. It's creative enough for those who want to get involved in photography and simple enough for those who just want to snap a few shots now and then. There's even a movie mode, something that no D-SLR offers yet, so it really is a multi-tasker... If a D-SLR isn't for you, then the Fuji FinePix S100FS should certainly head up your list of alternatives."4/5 stars
Paint Shop Pro Photo - Issue one
"This is a good camera for someone who has a bit of photography experience and who might want to go further. The auto functions produce decent shots, and there are plenty of manual controls to explore. All the buttons can be accessed easily and the actual camera build is strong and durable. It's a great all-rounder and perfect for snapping some resource files for your creative projects."
Trusted Reviews - May 2008
9/10 - Trusted Reviews Recommended
"A lot of the extra weight comes from the new lens, which is significantly larger than that on the S9600, both in terms of physical size and focal length. It has a zoom range equivalent to 28 - 400mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8 - f/5.3, specifications which compare well with super-zoom lenses available for most digital SLRs. That massive zoom range makes it a good all-rounder, covering everything from wide-angle landscapes to long telephoto...
In terms of picture quality, there's no question that the S100FS in an impressive camera. For overall detail and clarity it comes closer to DSLR quality than any other bridge camera I've tried, and colour depth and high-ISO noise control are also very good."
ePHOTOzine - May 2008
Highly recommended
"I like the different film simulations available and the handy chart showing the Dynamic Range, Colour, Tone and Sensitivity. Fuji have noticed that people like their film and have recreated it so users can continue to get the same results as they got from a film camera."
Daily Telegraph - May 2008
Magnificent Seven: Chris Stevens picks this week's hottest gadgets
"A hybrid camera that attempts to simulate traditional Fujifilm film stock using digital processing. The S100FS resembles a full-blown digital SLR, but actually sits halfway between a point-and-shoot compact camera and a professional model."
Seven, The Sunday Telegraph - June 2008
The Sunday Project: Digital cameras
"DSLR capabilities plus compact convenience. 11.1 effective megapixels, 28-400mm zoom lens and 2.5in tilting LCD monitor."
Digital Photography Review - May 2008
"The extremely useful zoom range, which goes from genuinely wide-angle to super-telephoto, essentially means that if you think you can see a photograph, you can shoot it. Wandering around with DSLR users is a telling experience - they may have to stop and change their expensive lenses, while the S100FS user can just get on with composing their shot. And in terms of sharpness, the lens is excellent through most of its range."
Photoanswers.co.uk - April 2008
"The Fuji FinePix S100FS is the best bridge compact out there today - it's packed with features, has a nice solid feel in the hand and the images more than hold up under close inspection. That's not forgetting the advantages of a bridge compact - the all-in-one solution with a colossal zoom range and no risk of dust getting on the sensor. It's attractively priced too for what you get - to match that kind of focal range on a D-SLR you'd have to invest another £100-150 on an extra telephoto zoom."
Men's Fitness- June 2008
"The S100FS's 11 megapixels and 14.3x zoom will give your photos professional level detail and character. Whether or not you leave your thumb over the lens is up to you."
The Independent - June 2008
Digital beasts: Six great D-SLRs and Superzooms
"Another superzoom, the S100FS has so many manual features for extra control that, changeable lenses apart, it's almost as flexible as a digital SLR. The zoom here is a healthy 14.3x and there's an 11-megapixel sensor. Unlike most D-SLRs, which require shots to be framed using the viewfinder, superzooms can use the LCD screen. This screen is tiltable so you can take shots holding the camera overhead or low down. Plus, the sensor can be set to high ISO ratings, making it sensitive even in low light. Image stabilisation means that you have a greater chance of a steady shot."
Great for Nature
Computer Shopper - September 2008
"The S100FS is the most impressive non-SLR camera we've seen in a long time. Its lens has a massive 14.3x zoom, starting at a wide-angle 28mm, and can focus on subjects just 1cm away. The camera is bigger than many digital SLRs, but the substantial design feels robust and is extremely comfortable to hold...Panasonics aging Lumix DMC-FZ50 is the only other camera that can compete with the S100FS's superb ergonomics and versatile lens, but its image quality isn't up to the same standard. In fact, the S100FS's images are closer to those of an entry-level digital SLR, which is something we've never been able to say before."
4/5 stars
PhotographyBLOG - September 2008
"The first thing that impresses about the Fujifilm FinePix S100FS is its build and weight - a large proportion of that due to the chunky optic bolted onto the front - and, image quality apart, it's an impression that stays with you....
As you'd expect from a Fujifilm model at this level - and what impressed us with the S5 Pro - is both the level of detail delivered (images generally possessing a good depth of field and a sharp, crisp finish with the camera left to its default settings), and moreover the colours, providing a result closer to that perceived by the human eye than expected"
4.5/5 stars - Highly Recommended
Computer Buyer - October 2008
4/5 stars
"The S100FS's sensor is bigger than those used in other ultra-zoom cameras. This helps it measure light more accurately, producing sharper details and less noise (graininess). The result was the best image quality we've seen from a non-SLR camera. The detail in brightly lit shots often puts the models in last month's DSLR group test to shame... If you don't want to worry about changing lenses, or need macro and video capture, the S100FS is a great choice."
Evening Standard - September 2008
TECH KNOW: Buyers' guide
"With 12 megapixels, image quality is excellent, and it's fast."
Daily Mail Weekend - September 2008
"This model sits between digital compacts and traditional SLR cameras. While most others in this crossover area fail to produce high-quality images, this is an exception. Sharp images and easy to navigate."
VERDICT: An all-in-one that's worth the money. 9/10
Gadget Speak - October 2008
Highly Commended
"Having the ability to take RAW images on a non DSLR unit is a plus as is the super macro mode that can be as close as 1cm. Normal macro mode is as close as 10cm. Great images and good movies, this unit is the closest thing to a DSLR without it being one."
IT Reviews - October 2008
"An appealing buy for serious amateurs who want most of the DSLR features without the heavy outlay and extra lenses."
Sport - November 2008
"A great option for the advanced amateur photographer seeking the manual controls and functionality of a digital SLR without the expense of additional lenses."
