Similar to most cameras in this class, the S9100 can record video clips at up to 640x480-pixel resolution and up to 30 frames per second with mono sound. It also has three continuous shooting modes: Top 4, Final 4, and Long Period. Top 4 captures the first four images after you press the shutter button. Final 4 continues to capture and buffer images until you release the shutter button, and then keeps only the last four. Long Period continues to capture and store images until your Compact Flash or xD Picture card is full.
Fuji also includes a multiple exposure option that you can turn on through the menu. When enabled, each shot you take is automatically layered on top of the last one you shot. Since it lets you layer as many as you like, you're left to figure out the proper exposure. As a rule of thumb, every time you double the number of exposures, you should halve your shutter speed. So, if you were to shoot one frame at 1/200 second, you'd halve it to 1/400 second each for a two-frame multiple exposure, or 1/800 second each for a four-frame multiple exposure.
We are impressed with the S9100's quick shutter lag, which measured 0.4 second in our high contrast test meant to mimic bright shooting conditions, and 1.1 seconds in our low contrast test, which mimics dim conditions. Its time to first shot was also nice, clocking in at 1 second from pressing the power button to capturing its first image. The time between images after that was 1.5 seconds without flash and a slightly sluggish 2.8 seconds with the flash turned on. The time between capturing raw images was 9.3 seconds, which isn't that great, but considering that most non-SLRs, even many superzooms, don't capture raw images at all, we were happy just to see that raw is an option. In the Long Period continuous shooting mode, we were able to capture VGA-sized JPEGs at an average of 2.23 frames per second (fps) and 9 megapixel fine-quality JPEGs at an average of 2.13 fps.
We were surprised with the images from the FinePix S9100. While they were plenty sharp and the lens was obviously capable of capturing lots of detail, we also saw more artifacts, such as off-color dots and jaggy edges, than we would expect to see from a camera of this class. Also, even at its lowest ISOs, we saw some minor noise. While not noticeable in prints, we did see small amounts of noise when viewing images shot at ISO 100 and ISO 200 on our monitors. At ISO 400 that noise grew, mixing unpleasantly with image artifacts, eroding some finer details, and detracting from prints. At ISO 800 large amounts of detail were lost to noise and the images' overall dynamic range suffered, with darker portions of the images plunging to muddy black. You could get passable 4x6-inch prints at ISO 800, but you'd be better served to stick with lower ISOs. At ISO 1600 our images were awash with gritty noise and even more fine detail and shadow detail was obliterated. We'd suggest steering clear of SIO 1600 with this camera. It seems as though Fuji's normal noise reduction algorithms aren't in use on the S9100.
The Fuijfilm FinePix S9100 has nifty features, a nice lens, and all the controls most advanced, and even beginner, photographers would want in a non-SLR camera. Unfortunately, the camera's lack of optical or mechanical image stabilization and less-than-promising image quality, make it hard to recommend. Unless you need a sync terminal in a superzoom, you'll likely want to check out Panasonic's Lumix DMC-FZ50, Sony's CyberShot DSC-H5, or Canon's PowerShot S3 IS.
What You'll Pay
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