Fujifilm FinePix S1 Review | 108 Data compared

The Fujifilm FinePix S1 is a weather-resistant bridge camera featuring a 50x optical zoom lens and built-in Wi-Fi, making it a versatile option for outdoor travel. The review praises the camera’s ability to capture well-exposed images with natural tones and its effective in-camera HDR. However, the analysis notes that the full-size image quality is underwhelming for large prints, and the default color saturation can appear muted, requiring a specific "Chrome" filter for better vibrancy. Ultimately, the S1 is recommended for its weather sealing and connectivity, though it falls short in pixel-level clarity.

The Fujifilm FinePix S1Go to product viewer dialogue for this item. is recognized as a fast, versatile bridge camera featuring a weather-resistant design and a 50x optical zoom lens (24-1200mm equivalent). Key advantages highlighted include robust construction, rapid autofocus, built-in Wi-Fi, and advanced features such as a vari-angle LCD, electronic viewfinder, and RAW capture. Conversely, the camera suffers from poor low-light and indoor performance, producing noisy, soft images, while also exhibiting noticeable purple fringing and mediocre 1080p60 video. Although the Wi-Fi app is deemed under-optimized, the device remains a strong, durable choice for outdoor photography despite its high price point.

The Fujifilm Finepix S1 is a highly responsive, weather-sealed ultra-zoom camera featuring an impressive 50X optical zoom lens (24-1200mm equivalent) with a bright F/2.8 - 5.6 maximum aperture and 5-axis image stabilization. Designed similarly to a shrunk DSLR, it offers exceptional speed performance, including a quick 1-second power-on time, swift 1/4-to-1/2 second autofocus, instant shutter lag, and a fast 10 FPS continuous shooting drive. It provides extensive manual controls (PASM), exposure bracketing, custom white balance, RAW output, and full 1080p HD video recording at 60 FPS. The physical design features dual zoom controllers, a deep comfortable hand-grip, and a solid chassis built to withstand rain, snow, and dust. However, the camera's overall image quality is deeply let down by its small 1/2.3" CMOS sensor, which suffers from severely limited dynamic range and aggressive, unadjustable noise reduction. This processing makes photos viewed at 100% look like muddy watercolours, destroying fine details even at base ISO 100. Additional usability flaws include a very dim, low-contrast, and small 0.2" electronic viewfinder (EVF) that is useless in low light, alongside excessive screen display lag...

However, the review identifies significant drawbacks, including noticeable purple color fringing, mediocre video quality, and the inability to use burst shooting in RAW mode. Furthermore, the camera lacks modern conveniences like a touchscreen or GPS, and the electronic viewfinder lacks an automatic eye sensor for switching from the screen.

However, the camera has notable limitations, starting with a small 1/2.3-inch sensor that suffers from a variable aperture narrowing from f/2.8 to f/5.6 at full zoom, which significantly reduces light capture. Images frequently exhibit prominent purple color fringing in high-contrast areas, and the lens exhibits severe barrel distortion at wide angles when processing uncorrected Raw files. Furthermore, burst shooting is completely unavailable when capturing in Raw mode. Users will also miss an automatic eye sensor for the EVF, GPS logging, and touch-input capabilities. Finally, the 1080p60 video quality is subpar, plagued by noisy lens stabilization rattling that bleeds heavily into recorded audio tracks.

The DPReview real-world sample gallery highlights the Fujifilm FinePix S1 as a versatile, weather-resistant bridge camera featuring a 50x optical zoom (24–1200mm equivalent) and effective 5-axis image stabilization. Its rugged, sealed body and support for RAW (RAF) files make it a strong, portable option for nature photographers looking to capture distant subjects. Conversely, the 1/2.3-inch sensor produces heavily overprocessed JPEGs with visible noise, and the electronic viewfinder proves difficult for framing at maximum telephoto range. Additionally, the camera suffers from slow shutter response and limited video controls, rendering it less effective for high-speed action.

Despite these strengths, the camera suffers from notable image and operational drawbacks. The lens exhibits significant purple color fringing in high-contrast areas and an uncorrected 12% barrel distortion at its widest focal length, which requires extensive post-processing cleanup. Furthermore, continuous burst shooting is completely unavailable when capturing in Raw format. The video performance is lackluster; while it captures 1080p footage at 60fps, the final video details are underwhelming and the internal audio track is severely degraded by the loud, rattling sounds of the lens stabilization system. Finally, the design lacks an automatic eye sensor for switching between the EVF and LCD, forcing users to toggle manually, and it misses built-in GPS and touchscreen functionalities.

The Fujifilm FinePix S1 is highlighted as a weather-sealed superzoom offering Raw support and a hot shoe, catering to outdoorsy users seeking better image quality. The camera features fast, accurate autofocus and a high-quality lens, despite a subpar electronic viewfinder. Conversely, the review notes that straight-out-of-camera image quality is underwhelming, and the, video mode lacks manual controls, limiting its appeal for casual users.

Fujifilm FinePix S1 Review Summary The Fujifilm FinePix S1 is a 16.4-megapixel "bridge" camera that mimics the look and sturdy, textured grip of an entry-level DSLR but features a fixed 50x Super EBC Fujinon lens with a 24-1,200mm focal range. A major standout feature for a camera priced under $500 is its weather- and dust-resistant body, making it highly reliable for travel and outdoor photography. It delivers good overall quality for both still images and 1080/60p Full HD videos, and it stands out from its competitors by being the only model in its price class to support unprocessed RAW file capture. Additionally, it features an effective five-axis image stabilization system that performs remarkably well during handheld shooting, even at extreme telephoto ranges. Despite its impressive zoom and rugged design, the camera has notable performance limitations. The S1 struggles with focusing issues when using its automatic modes at extreme telephoto distances, often requiring manual adjustments via the jog wheel to lock onto low-contrast subjects. Furthermore, its 1/2.3-inch sensor exhibits high image noise at high ISO settings, making it a poor choice...