Fujifilm FinePix S1500 review

Sample photos:
Fujifilm FinePix S1500

Photos are at their best at ISO 64 and 100 with very good detail and the least amount of visible noise at 100 percent. At ISO 200 photos viewed full size have noticeable noise and softening from noise reduction, but overall detail is still very good. Noise increases quite a bit at ISO 400, but the reduction isn't too heavy so you still get good enough detail for small prints. The last two full-resolution sensitivities--ISO 800 and 1,600--aren't good for much as photos get hazy and soft along with very noisy and colors turn flat. The color issue may have been more perceptible because the S1500 produces brilliant colors at ISO 400 and below. They were not terribly natural or accurate, however. Overall, photo quality is good outdoors, mediocre indoors, and poor in low light. In other words, it's average for its class.

The S1500 is at its sharpest in the Macro and Super Macro modes, and will produce very nice, detailed images. Outside of these modes, pictures do look a bit soft, but on par with other megazooms in the S1500's class. Also typical is the amount of barrel distortion at the lens's widest position, but no pincushioning was readily visible at its longest setting. Lastly, there was an average amount of purple fringing seen in test shots around high-contrast subjects. However, it was less than what's been produced by other budget megazooms I've tested.

If you want the most zoom with the most features for less than $200, the Fujifilm FinePix S1500 is probably the best way to go. There are other models that have more zoom in its price range, but aren't as versatile. Though its photo quality isn't great, it will suffice for those only making 5x7 or smaller prints or going straight to the Web with the results. It can perform frustratingly slow, though, and that's something you just can't work around.

Shooting speed (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)

Time to first shot

Typical shot-to-shot time

Shutter lag (dim)

Shutter lag (typical)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20

2.8 

2.1 

0.7 

0.4 

Canon PowerShot SX110 IS

2.3 

2.1 

0.7 

0.5 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28

2.3 

1.8 

0.8 

0.6 

Fujifilm FinePix S1500

3 

3.3 

0.8 

0.8 

Nikon Coolpix L100

1.9 

2.1 

1 

0.7 

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