Fujifilm's compact cameras have gained a cult following, thanks to their images' distinctly warm look and to their traditionally excellent performance in low-light conditions. The company's latest high-end compact, the $400 FinePix F200 EXR, takes those in-camera skills to another level, thanks to its new "brain."
The FinePix F200 EXR is the first Fujifilm camera to incorporate the company's Super CCD EXR system--a one-two punch consisting of a redesigned sensor and image processor. This camera performs some nice in-camera tricks: It groups pixels together in High ISO/Low Noise mode to create brighter, sharper low-light shots; it can create high-dynamic-range images within the camera, enabling you to see bright scenes and objects lurking in the shadows in the same shot; and it even simulates the look of different types of Fujifilm media, such as Astia, Provia, and Velvia.
When you switch to 'EXR Auto' mode on this camera, you can actually hear the device thinking. It unleashes an audible barrage of clicks and mechanical adjustments as you move the camera between lighting conditions or closer to your subject, as it surveys the scene and automatically selects the perfect settings. This may not be the quietest camera in the library, but it takes a mean photo.