Fuji FinePix F31fd Digital Camera Review
By Emily Raymond
Reviewed.com Editorial Staff
Published on January 15, 2007
The Fujifilm FinePix F31fd follows up the successful F30 by keeping its main components and adding a signature face detection function. The F31fd has 6.3 megapixels that have proven very effective in testing, perhaps more effective than other cameras that advertise more resolution. With extended ISO capabilities, a decent aperture range, and an Intelligent Flash system, this FinePix can snap fabulous pictures day and night.
The camera body measures 3.6 x 2.2 x 1.1 inches, so it can fit into a pocket, but it isn’t as slim as some competing models such as the 0.8-inch thick Pentax S7. The Fuji F31fd has a 2.5-inch LCD screen with excellent resolution of 230,000 pixels – this is double the resolution of the same-sized screen on the older F10. The F30 has the same 3x optical zoom lens and i-Flash system that can light up subjects within 21 feet. The flash is called “intelligent” by Fujifilm because it measures primary and ambient lighting and adjusts the flash unit’s lighting accordingly. This results in natural-looking portraits that have even lighting.
The Fujifilm FinePix F31fd’s face detection auto focus system is an exciting innovation. This technology was introduced on the S6000fd in the summer of 2006, but the F31fd is the first compact digital camera by Fujifilm to carry the capability. The F31fd can recognize up to ten faces at a time, as long as they are facing the camera directly. Once a face is recognized, a green box frames it on the LCD screen’s live view. The camera then automatically focuses and adjusts the exposure settings to get the best possible shot. The similarly priced 6-megapixel Nikon S6 has a face priority auto focus mode that is similar in concept but doesn't perform nearly as quickly or effectively as the F31fd.
Face detection isn’t the only interesting function on this digital camera. The F31fd is equipped with IrSimple technology that can wirelessly communicate with other F31fd digital cameras, enabled Kodak Picture Kiosks, and a few HP printers. This technology isn’t as widespread as Bluetooth in North America, but it is a fairly common interface in Asia. The Nikon S6 has wireless compatibility that is more accepted in the Americas.
This Fujifilm FinePix has Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Auto, and 15 Scene modes. If you're not satisfied with the Priority modes and instead want a fully Manual mode, the 8-megapixel Sony W100 has one. Included in the F31fd's preset modes is an interesting Natural Light & With Flash mode that snaps two pictures in a quick burst. The first picture hikes the ISO up within the camera’s massive 3200 range and quickens the shutter speed to get a blur-free shot without the flash. The second picture fires the i-Flash system. The pictures are displayed next to each other and both are saved automatically. It’s nice that you can select either option and still be able to snap pictures quickly.
The Fujifilm FinePix F31fd has impressive components and features and takes nice pictures. Portraits look great with the face detection auto focus and i-Flash technology. Colors look decent, and the images are spotless. The included battery lasts 580 shots, more than almost every digital camera on the market, giving you plenty of time to snap great pictures.For a more in-depth review, visit the Fuji FinePix F31fd Review at our partner DigitalCameraInfo.com
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