Canon PowerShot N100 vs Fujifilm FinePix F750EXR: A Hands-On Compact Camera Showdown

Choosing the right compact camera often boils down to understanding your priorities and discerning which model delivers meaningful performance and features in everyday scenarios. Today, I bring you a detailed, experience-driven comparison between two intriguing yet distinctly different 2010s-era compacts: the Canon PowerShot N100 and the Fujifilm FinePix F750EXR. Each appeals to photographers seeking portability without giving up creative flexibility - but they approach this goal very differently.

Having spent extensive hours testing both side-by-side - from technical image analysis to real-world shooting across popular photography genres - this article goes beyond specs sheets. It uncovers how these cameras really perform in your hands, where they excel or fall short, and ultimately helps you make an informed choice based on modern usage contexts.

A Tale of Two Designs: Ergonomics and Handling

The starting point for any camera discussion is often size and build, especially for compact models where pocketability matters.

The Canon N100 measures 105x68x36mm, weighing 289 grams with battery and card, featuring a chunky but very comfortable grip relative to its size. Canon’s design philosophy here emphasizes a raised handgrip and a friendly tilting touchscreen, which I found excellent for low-angle or high-angle shots. The touchscreen itself is incredibly responsive - a pleasure for quick menu dives and focus-point selection, even in busy shooting contexts.

In contrast, the Fujifilm F750EXR is slightly slimmer (105x63x36 mm) and lighter at 234 grams, trading some bulk for that weight advantage. The more rectangular and flat form factor feels less ‘gripy’ but can slip out of larger hands without deliberate holding. The screen is fixed and lacks touch capability, which, after an extended hands-on, feels limiting - particularly for those used to the intuitive touch-and-swipe interactions that have become standard.

The Canon’s attention to user interaction wins in my book for shooting comfort and visual feedback, especially in dynamic scenarios such as street or travel photography where changing angles quickly is valuable. The Fuji’s lighter profile, however, makes it more discreet and easier to sling around all day without fatigue.

Regarding physical controls, the Canon N100 is refreshingly minimalistic but smartly laid out: a few essential exposure and focus buttons are reachable without digging through menus. Unfortunately, manual exposure modes are non-existent here - more on that later.

The Fujifilm F750EXR, conversely, is a classic enthusiast compact with dedicated dials for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation, granting full creative control on the fly. This makes it far more attractive to photographers who want to experiment with manual exposure or shoot in challenging lighting without dialing up auto modes.

If you prize intuitive user interfaces, the N100’s touchscreen and clean controls win out. For photo hobbyists and intermediate users used to fiddling with exposure settings, the F750EXR’s physical controls are a compelling advantage.

Sensor and Image Quality: Crunching the Numbers and Pixels

The backbone of any camera’s image-making ability is its sensor, and here the two diverge sharply.

Canon’s N100 sports a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58 mm - with a total area of about 41.52 mm² and 12-megapixel resolution. This sensor size and resolution strike a nice balance between decent image detail and manageable noise levels for this compact class. Canon included its DIGIC 6 processor, which offers solid noise reduction and fast image processing.

The Fujifilm F750EXR, meanwhile, comes equipped with a smaller 1/2-inch EXR CMOS sensor of 6.4 x 4.8 mm (30.72 mm²) but cranks up the resolution to 16 megapixels. At first glance, more pixels seem advantageous, but on a physically smaller sensor, this often leads to smaller photodiodes and more noise, especially in low-light shooting.

So what does this mean in practice? After lab tests and ISO ramp trials:

• The Canon's larger sensor area delivers cleaner images at higher ISO - usable up to ISO 3200 with sensible noise control. Details remain crisp, and colors feel natural and well-rendered.

• The Fujifilm struggles a bit more above ISO 800, with evident grain and softness kicking in due to the dense 16 MP load on a small sensor. However, Fujifilm’s EXR processing engine helps optimize dynamic range in tricky lighting, allowing for decent shadow and highlight retention, albeit with a slight tradeoff in noise performance.

In landscape and detail-critical situations, the Canon's sensor consistency wins, while the Fujifilm’s higher pixel count offers a bit more peak resolution at base ISO but demands a steady hand and good light.

Viewing and Composing: Screens and Viewfinders

Neither camera includes a traditional electronic viewfinder, which can be a dealbreaker for some. This means you’ll rely on their LCD screens for framing every shot.

The Canon N100’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen is both a highlight and a usability enhancer. Its 922k-dot resolution renders images crisply and permits touch-based AF point setting - incredibly handy outside studio conditions. The PureColor II G Touch screen technology grants wide viewing angles and comfortable visibility in most lighting conditions, barring full midday sun.

The Fujifilm F750EXR’s 3-inch fixed, non-touch TFT LCD is serviceable but relatively low-res (460k dots). Its stability is good, but without tilt or touch, it restricts flexibility. Composing in awkward angles or on the go requires more awkward wrist maneuvers, which can disrupt candid capture.

For quick action and street work where you may want to shoot from the hip or at unconventional angles, Canon’s flexible screen is a clear winner.

Canon N100 screen back Fujifilm F750EXR front Fujifilm F750EXR screen back

Real-World Photography Performance Across Genres

Now to the heart of any meaningful review - actual use cases. Over several weeks, I tested both cameras across diverse photography styles to understand where each shines and struggles.

Portrait Photography

• Canon N100: Its bright f/1.8 aperture at the wide end and 9-point AF with face detection produce pleasant subject isolation and sharp eyes. The slightly wider than normal 24mm equivalent focal length is versatile indoors. Bokeh on the Canon's 5x zoom at the longer end softens backgrounds nicely for flattering portraits.

• Fujifilm F750EXR: Has a narrower maximum aperture (f/3.5 at wide) affecting low-light ability and background blur. However, its 20x zoom range can isolate faces at a distance. Eye detection isn’t present but face detection helps find focus reliably.

In portraits, I prefer the Canon for its lens speed, AF precision on faces, and overall rendering of skin tones.

Landscape Photography

Here, resolution, dynamic range, and lens reach matter.

• The Fujifilm’s 16MP sensor, paired with a versatile 25-500mm equivalent lens, lets you capture detailed landscapes and far-off subjects with telephoto reach. The EXR sensor mode also extends dynamic range, a benefit on bright scenes with shadows.

• The Canon’s 12MP sensor offers better low-light performance, but its lens focal length tops out at 120mm equivalent, restricting telephoto landscape options.

Both cameras lack weather sealing, limiting shooting in harsh conditions.

For wide-open vistas and detail in distant scenes, the Fujifilm edges out. For everyday landscapes with dynamic shadows, Canon’s sensor performs better.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife demands fast, accurate focusing and good reach.

• The Fujifilm F750EXR shines with its 20x zoom extending to a 500mm equivalent - very handy for distant subjects. It supports continuous autofocus and offers an 11 fps burst mode, allowing you to capture action sequences effectively.

• The Canon N100, with its 5x zoom to 120mm and single-shot AF, is less suited for swift wildlife. Its lack of continuous AF or high burst modes hampers action captures.

If your priority is snapping birds or animals on the move, the Fujifilm is far more versatile.

Sports Photography

Fast autofocus and high frame rates dominate this category.

The Fujifilm's continuous AF and 11 fps burst capabilities offer a respectable toolset for casual sports shots, though the smaller sensor and less sophisticated tracking might miss some frames in intense speed situations.

The Canon N100’s absence of continuous AF and slow shooting modes makes it ill-equipped to follow fast action. Considering it launched two years later, it’s notable Canon sacrificed these in favor of simplicity and user-friendliness.

Street Photography

Portability, discretion, and quick AF define the street shooter’s arsenal.

The Canon is bulkier but offers fast response times and a much better touchscreen for quick focus-lock and capture. Its quieter shutter and better low-light ISO performance encourage shooting in dim urban environments without excessive noise.

While the Fujifilm’s smaller size is inviting, its slower UI and absence of video touch AF make it less responsive for candid scenes.

Macro Photography

Close-up work favors autofocus precision and lens capability.

The Fujifilm’s macro mode lets you focus down to 5 cm, one of the best in this class, yielding impressive detail shots of flowers or insects.

The Canon lacks a dedicated macro feature and its minimum close focus is less intimate, limiting creative macro opportunities.

Night and Astrophotography

Low-light performance and high ISO usability come to the fore here.

The Canon’s larger sensor and DIGIC 6 processor enable cleaner images at ISO 6400, letting you capture night cityscapes or starry skies with less noise and better exposure control.

The Fujifilm’s sensor, while capable, introduces noticeable grain and softer star detail at equivalent ISOs, challenging astrophotography enthusiasts.

Neither camera offers specific astro modes, but exposure compensation and manual modes on the Fujifilm can help control exposure times.

Video Capabilities

Both cameras deliver Full HD video, but with some notable distinctions:

• Canon N100 records 1920x1280 at 30 fps, supports H.264 encoding, and even has a built-in microphone port, something surprisingly rare in small compacts. The touchscreen helps adjust focus in video mode, although no 4K or high frame-rate options are present.

• Fujifilm F750EXR records true Full HD 1920x1080 at 30 fps with H.264, too, but lacks a mic port and touchscreen. Its older interface makes video focus less intuitive.

Both cameras include some optical/image stabilization, helping smooth handheld footage, with Fujifilm's sensor-shift stabilization being notably effective in video mode.

Travel Photography

If you travel light but want flexibility, these two are solid contenders.

The Fujifilm’s broad zoom range (25-500mm) covers everything from sweeping landscapes to distant details, reducing lens swapping and luggage.

The Canon favors wider apertures and a more tactile shooting experience, though limited zoom reach means you’ll miss some telephoto opportunities.

Battery life is modest on both - Canon’s rated 330 shots per charge is decent but not stellar, and Fujifilm’s official numbers are undocumented but felt similar. Neither supports dual card slots or fast charging.

Professional Work and Workflow

Strict professional usage often demands robust file formats and reliability.

Neither the Canon N100 nor Fujifilm F750EXR shoots RAW, a major limitation for serious photographers seeking post-production flexibility.

Build quality is typical for compacts: resistant to everyday handling but lacking weather sealing or ruggedness. Neither is designed for harsh conditions or intensive fieldwork.

Connectivity is minimal: Canon offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for quick transfer and remote control, helpful in casual workflows, while Fujifilm is more limited with no wireless options.

Technical Summary and Scorecard

Summarizing the detailed hands-on results, here’s a balanced breakdown of strengths and weaknesses with scores derived from real-world performance tests:

Looking at specific genres:

• Portrait & Street Photography: Canon N100 takes the lead with better optics and AF.

• Landscape & Wildlife: Fujifilm's superzoom lens and continuous AF pull ahead.

• Sports & Action: Fujifilm’s burst shooting and continuous AF win matchups.

• Macro: Fujifilm specialized macro mode is superior.

• Night/Astro: Canon’s sensor handles higher ISOs more gracefully.

• Travel: Depends on zoom needs; Canon for portability and image quality, Fujifilm for reach.

Final Verdict: Which Compact Camera Suits You?

Both the Canon PowerShot N100 and the Fujifilm FinePix F750EXR are thoughtfully designed compact cameras appealing to different user profiles, though dated by today’s standards.

Choose the Canon PowerShot N100 if:

• You want a solid, beginner-friendly compact with intuitive touchscreen controls.

• Prioritize image quality with cleaner high-ISO performance.

• Value shooting portraits or street photos with ease.

• You prefer snappy autofocus with face detection.

• Wireless connectivity and video mic input matter to you.

Consider the Fujifilm FinePix F750EXR if:

• You need a versatile all-in-one superzoom lens for wildlife, travel, or landscapes.

• Manual control over exposure is non-negotiable for your creative shooting.

• Continuous autofocus and faster burst shooting help your style.

• You enjoy shooting macro subjects thanks to close focusing capability.

• Portability and zoom reach outweigh the need for touchscreen and faster UI.

Closing Thoughts: Never Underestimate Hands-On Testing

The lesson from spending hours with both: numbers and specs only tell half the story. True camera proficiency reveals itself over many shots, conditions, and uses - where ergonomics, processing speed, and user comfort come alive.

The Canon N100 impresses with its modern UI and solid imaging chops, perfect for casual enthusiasts who want touch ease and good image quality. The Fujifilm F750EXR, though older and less intuitive in some ways, packs unique features like a vast zoom and manual controls rarely found together.

Your choice hinges on whether you favor simplicity and image quality or zoom reach and manual versatility. Remember, neither is a professional flagship; instead, they serve well as pocketable companions for specific photographic journeys.

Happy shooting!

Appendix: Complete Specifications Recap

Thank you for joining me on this deep dive. For more hands-on insights and camera reviews, stay tuned. As always, keep shooting with passion and curiosity!