Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR

The Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR garners mixed ratings, with some reviewers highly recommending it and others expressing reservations about its performance. All agree, however, with CNET's Joshua Goldman, who says that the F600 EXR offers "fairly exhaustive shooting options for a point and shoot." There's a 15x zoom lens with excellent image stabilization, a roomy 3-inch LCD display, creative manual controls, RAW image format and a built-in GPS. Fujifilm's cutting-edge 16-megapixel EXR sensor works like three cameras in one: a mode for high-resolution photos, another at low resolution to improve low-light photos and reduce noise and a third to boost dynamic range. Reviewers like how the auto EXR recognizes a scene and selects the best shooting mode, which makes the camera easy to use for beginners. 

However, the F600 EXR "has a few too many flaws and foibles to earn an unconditional recommendation," says Jim Fisher at PCMag.com. Noisy and inconsistent images rank as the top complaint from both critics and users. In addition, the average HD video (1080p) suffers from juddering, the sensitive mic picks up lens noise and the battery-draining GPS is slow to hone in on locations. While some testers are forgiving of the flaws and give the F600 EXR an enthusiastic thumbs-up, others suggest looking at other options. The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS offers a more reliable GPS and sharper images, while the Nikon Coolpix S9100 has a higher-resolution LCD, longer 18x zoom lens and better low-light shooting.

PCMag.com and CNET offer a detailed look at how the Fujifilm FinePix F600 EXR stacks up next to rival ultrazoom cameras. ConsumerReports.org and Which? magazine offer product comparison charts and brief summaries based on rigorous lab test scores, while Steves-Digicams.com provides a stand-alone yet informative review. Many users at Amazon.com chime in with their opinions.