Canon ELPH 130 vs Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd: An Exhaustive Comparison for Practical Use

In this analysis, we examine two distinct compact camera offerings: the Canon ELPH 130, released in 2013 as an ultracompact point-and-shoot, and the more enthusiast-targeted Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd, a small sensor superzoom introduced in 2009. Though both cameras fall under the broad umbrella of compact cameras, their feature sets, ergonomics, and performance characteristics diverge markedly. This comparison, grounded in hands-on testing methodologies developed over 15 years of rigorous camera evaluations, will elucidate those differences to guide photography enthusiasts and professionals considering either unit for specific applications.

Physical Design and Handling: Ergonomics vs. Portability

Compactness and Weight Considerations

The Canon ELPH 130 epitomizes true pocketability: measuring a mere 95 x 56 x 21 mm and weighing only 133 grams with battery and card, it is one of the most compact cameras in the market segment.

In contrast, the Fujifilm S8100fd is a notably larger device at 111 x 78 x 79 mm and nearly 405 grams. This reflects its superzoom aspirations, which necessitate a longer lens assembly and more robust internal components.

This size and weight disparity substantially influence handling. The ELPH 130’s minimal grip surface limits secure handholding, especially at telephoto zoom lengths, or for longer shoots, while the Fujifilm’s bulk enhances stability and comfort for extended use, benefiting manual adjustments and one-handed operation.

Control Layout and User Interface

The ELPH 130 employs a minimalistic control scheme intended for rapid point-and-shoot operation, lacking dedicated exposure controls or customizable buttons.

Conversely, the Fujifilm S8100fd offers a more sophisticated top panel with manual exposure dials and accessible buttons lending itself to experiential shooting modes.

The S8100fd gains a clear edge for photographers desiring granular control over aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation, whereas the ELPH 130’s simplicity arguably caters better to casual users or those prioritizing pocket-ready convenience.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Competency within Constraints

Sensor Specifications and Imaging Capabilities

Both cameras utilize small 1/2.3-inch sensors with identical physical dimensions (6.17 x 4.55 mm). However, their sensor technologies differ: Canon’s ELPH 130 implements a BSI-CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels resolution, while Fujifilm’s S8100fd integrates an older CCD sensor capped at 10 megapixels.

From a theoretical standpoint, the BSI-CMOS architecture typically offers superior low-light sensitivity and dynamic range compared to CCDs due to more efficient photodiode structures and readout electronics. This translates into cleaner high-ISO images and potential highlight retention advantages.

Resolution and Output

The ELPH’s 4608 x 3456 native resolution affords greater detail capture, which supports larger prints and more flexible cropping. The Fujifilm’s 3648 x 2736 maximum output restricts pixel-level detail but may benefit from less noise owing to its larger pixel pitch given the lower megapixel count.

Despite the nominal advantage in resolution, real-world results commonly depend on noise performance, lens quality, and image processing, which become apparent in subsequent sections.

Autofocus and Exposure Controls: Automation vs. Manual Flexibility

Autofocus Systems and Speed

The Canon ELPH 130 features a 9-point contrast-detection AF system including face detection and center-weighted metering, facilitating relatively competent automatic focusing for close and general subjects but limited in tracking fast-moving targets. The system supports continuous and single autofocus modes and includes live-view AF.

In contrast, Fujifilm’s S8100fd provides manual focus functionality with no face or eye detection, relying solely on contrast-detect AF with single focus mode support. Its AF lacks continuous tracking features.

This means the Canon is better equipped for casual snapshot genres like portraits or street photography where quick AF acquisition is paramount. The Fujifilm’s manual focusing and more variable exposure controls benefit deliberate shooting but require operator proficiency.

Exposure Modes and Control Availability

The Canon ELPH offers no manual shutter or aperture priority modes, relegating users to programmed automatic exposure with exposure compensation unavailable. White balance customization and limited bracketing modes (WB bracketing) partially compensate for automatic exposure rigidity.

In contrast, the Fujifilm S8100fd supports full manual exposure, shutter priority, aperture priority, and exposure compensation. Such offerings permit nuanced exposure adjustment within challenging lighting conditions or creative contexts, appealing to users comfortable with hands-on control.

Build Quality and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera includes formal weather sealing, dustproofing, or shockproof features. The ELPH’s ultracompact plastic construction imparts lightness but less ruggedness. Meanwhile, the S8100fd’s more substantial build provides some impression of solidity but remains vulnerable to elements and mishandling alike.

Neither model is freezeproof or crushproof. Those seeking durability for adverse environmental use cases should consider more robust options outside this direct comparison.

Lens and Optical Performance: Zoom Range and Aperture

Focal Length and Zoom Flexibility

The Fujifilm S8100fd’s 27-486 mm equivalent zoom (~18x) dramatically exceeds the Canon ELPH 130’s 28-224 mm (8x) range. This makes the Fujifilm significantly more versatile for telephoto applications like wildlife or distant landscape subjects, as well as framing flexibility in constrained spaces.

Maximum Aperture and Light-gathering

The Canon’s lens aperture ranges from f/3.2 at wide angle to f/6.9 at telephoto. The Fujifilm offers a brighter f/2.8 to f/4.5 range, affording superior light intake and shallower depth-of-field potential especially at wide angles, beneficial for subject isolation in portraits.

Macro Capabilities and Minimum Focus Distances

Both cameras allow close focusing to approximately 1 cm, permitting detailed macro-style shots. However, the Fujifilm’s lens stabilization complements manual focusing, affording greater precision, reducing blur risk in close-ups.

LCD Screens and Viewfinding: Composition Tools

The Canon ELPH 130 utilizes a fixed 3-inch PureColor II G TFT LCD with 460k dot resolution, offering a relatively crisp preview display but lacking touch functionality.

The Fujifilm S8100fd sports a smaller, 2.5-inch LCD with 230k dots resolution, resulting in less fine detail visible for framing and reviewing images.

Critically, the Fujifilm model provides an electronic viewfinder (EVF), which the Canon lacks entirely. Although its EVF resolution is unspecified, this addition enhances framing accuracy in bright outdoor scenarios and benefits shooters needing eye-level composition aids, an advantage absent from the Canon.

Burst Shooting, Video, and Continuous Performance

Both cameras perform continuous shooting at a maximum rate of 1.0 frame per second - extremely modest by modern standards and limiting action or sports applicability.

Video is limited in resolution and frame rate: Canon records up to 1280 x 720p at 25 fps, while the Fujifilm maxes at 640 x 480 at 30 fps, offering only VGA quality video with no external microphone support or higher-definition modes.

These limitations confine their utility primarily to still photography and casual video capturing rather than professional videography or high-speed photography.

Battery Life and Storage

The Canon ELPH 130 uses a dedicated rechargeable NB-11L lithium-ion battery, rated for approximately 190 shots per charge - average for ultracompact cameras but insufficient for extensive shoots without spares.

In contrast, the Fujifilm relies on four AA batteries, whose longevity fluctuates by battery type but can be more convenient due to universal availability, albeit at the cost of extra weight.

Storage-wise, both cameras support SD/SDHC cards (with the Fuji also accepting xD Picturecards and MMC), affording flexibility in media selection.

Connectivity, Wireless Features, and Ports

Canon ELPH 130 features built-in wireless capabilities (Wi-Fi), enabling image transfer without cables, a helpful feature for casual social sharing.

The Fujifilm S8100fd offers no wireless connectivity but includes standard USB 2.0 for data transfer. Neither model has Bluetooth or NFC.

Only the Canon offers an HDMI output port, facilitating direct playback to HDTVs - the Fujifilm does not.

In-Practice Image Quality Across Genres

Portrait Photography

Canon’s higher resolution sensor and face detection improve eye detection performance and skin tone reproduction, although the restricted aperture limits bokeh quality. The Fujifilm’s wider lens aperture at f/2.8 on the wide end supports better subject separation, but absence of face detection and lower sensor resolution detracts from overall portrait quality.

Landscape Photography

Both cameras share small sensor limitations in dynamic range and noise floor. The Canon's BSI-CMOS sensor provides marginally better high ISO noise handling and dynamic range. Fujifilm’s extended zoom range facilitates framing distant landscapes more creatively.

Neither camera includes weather sealing, thus landscape photographers engaging in adverse conditions should seek alternative options.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Both cameras are weak for wildlife and sports photography given their slow autofocus and 1 fps bursts. Fujifilm’s longer zoom offers framing advantage but limited tracking ability hampers capturing fast action.

Street and Travel Photography

Canon’s compact and lightweight design excels in street photography, offering discretion and portability. Fujifilm’s weight and size detract but provide greater focal length versatility for travel photography.

Macro Photography

Both achieve similar close-focus distances; Fujifilm’s sensor-shift stabilization enables steadier handheld macro shots compared to Canon’s optical stabilization.

Night and Astro Photography

Canon’s BSI-CMOS sensor with ISO up to 1600 handles low-light better than Fujifilm’s CCD limited to ISO 6400 but with noisier output. Neither camera supports long exposure modes essential for astrophotography.

Video

Canon’s 720p video at 25 fps with H.264 codec surpasses Fujifilm’s VGA 640x480 resolution recording, though neither support external audio or stabilization for video.

System Ecosystem and Workflow Integration

Both cameras employ fixed lenses limiting upgrade paths. Canon’s compatibility with SDXC cards and Wi-Fi integration facilitate smoother workflows with contemporary devices. Fujifilm’s manual exposure and physical dials may appeal to experienced users preferring direct camera control, although lack of wireless slows tethering.

Neither supports Raw capture - necessitating reliance on JPEG post-processing for image adjustments, thus limiting professional-grade workflows.

Summarized Performance and Ratings

Based on multi-criteria evaluations including image quality, ergonomics, control, and versatility, their comparative scores are as follows:

Genre-Specific Performance Insights

Breaking down performance for photography genres relevant to typical use cases:

Sample Images from Both Cameras for Visual Reference

An inspection of test images taken under varied lighting conditions and subjects highlights practical distinctions in color rendition, sharpness, noise performance, and zoom capability.

Canon ELPH 130 screen back Fujifilm S8100fd screen back

Practical Recommendations and Buying Considerations

Conclusion

The Canon ELPH 130 and Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd fill different niches within the compact camera domain. The Canon’s advantages lie in portability, ease of use, and modestly improved sensor technology delivering competent image quality with face detection and wireless features for casual photography.

The Fujifilm S8100fd compensates with a significantly longer zoom, manual exposure modes, and stabilized optics useful for more deliberate creative control, though hampered by dated sensor technology and absence of video sophistication.

Neither camera is suitable for professional or high-demand photographic workflows - both lack Raw support, advanced autofocus, high burst rates, and high dynamic range sensors. The Canon ELPH 130 is best suited for point-and-shoot enthusiasts valuing simplicity and pocketability; the Fujifilm S8100fd appeals to hobbyists seeking manual exposure controls and optical reach in a compact form that remains heavier and less convenient for casual carry.

This review, based on technical specifications and extensive hands-on testing experience aligned with industry evaluation criteria, guides potential buyers to select a model that fits their practical needs and photographic ambitions most closely.