With the F200 EXR Fujifilm has brought a new standard down to a wider market. Those not wishing to process Raw images but still wanting quality results will welcome the flexibility of the EXR sensor, as well as the results it produces. Detail at lower ISOs is stunning and the extended dynamic range is appreciated, though with little in the way of manual control and lack of functionality I doubt the camera will steal much thunder from the high-end, enthusiast compact market. Should Fujifilm use the sensor in a better-specified body, however, we may see an interesting turn of events. Ultimately, by straying from the herd and paying attention where it matters, Fujifilm has once again proved the benefits of its innovative sensor technology.
Design And Performance
Design
With a 5x zoom lens and a 3in LCD screen the camera is understandably a little large, though not as weighty as might be expected. The zoom rocker and shutter release button are both comfortable to operate, and while larger LCD screens usually have a knock-on effect on handling, the camera still offers enough space to rest your thumb on the back, along with an adequately proportioned set of controls. The LCD is a little recessed into the body, though, allowing dust to collect around the edges where itʼs not always easy to remove.
Performance
Navigating the menus is fairly straightforward, thanks to their basic structure and graphic display. At 230,000 dots the screenʼs resolution is fairly unremarkable, and thereʼs some slight lagging as you move around a scene, but it still performs well when compared with its peers. Focusing, even in darker conditions, is carried out fairly briskly and this is mirrored by the speed and accuracy of the Intelligent Face Detection system, which quickly recognises faces even when theyʼre side-on to the camera. The zoom shares this trait, travelling through its range at a good pace.
The only downsides regarding performance are minor at best. The battery is quite loose in its compartment, and on a number of occasions ejecting the memory card resulted in the battery following it out of the camera. Also, the cameraʼs start-up time is hardly quick, although powering down is fortunately a little quicker.
Score
Score in detail
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Features 90
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Image Quality 90
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Design 95
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Performance 90
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Value 90