Canon N100 vs Fujifilm Z30

Canon PowerShot N100 vs. Fujifilm FinePix Z30: A Comprehensive Comparison for Enthusiasts Seeking Compact Convenience

In the ever-evolving realm of compact digital cameras, the balance between portability, image quality, and user-friendly features is a perennial challenge. Today, we dive deep into comparing two small sensor compacts that cater to casual and enthusiast users alike: the Canon PowerShot N100 and the Fujifilm FinePix Z30. Released several years apart, these cameras represent different eras in compact design and imaging technology, offering intriguing contrasts in capability and usability.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years as a photography equipment reviewer, I bring hands-on experience to this side-by-side analysis. This article aims to empower photographers - from casual shooters to professionals seeking a capable pocket camera - with an honest, technically grounded evaluation of these models.

Handling and Ergonomics: Size Matters

The first point of contact with any camera is its feel in hand and ease of control. Compact cameras, by their nature, prioritize portability; however, this can come with trade-offs in ergonomics.

The Canon N100, with dimensions of 105 x 68 x 36mm and weighing 289 grams, strikes a comfortable balance between pocketability and a firm grip. Its compact but boxy body is designed to feel secure, aided by a textured grip surface on the right side. The Fujifilm Z30 is considerably smaller and lighter at 91 x 59 x 21mm and just 110 grams, making it extremely pocket-friendly - ideal for situations where minimalism is paramount.

Upon handling both, the Canon’s slightly larger frame instills confidence during prolonged use or when zooming, while the Fujifilm feels almost toy-like due to its diminutive size, potentially causing stability challenges, especially at longer focal lengths.

Control layout tips the scales further. The Canon N100 boasts a touch-sensitive 3-inch tilting screen with good resolution, facilitating intuitive framing even at awkward angles. The Fujifilm Z30, conversely, has a fixed 2.7-inch screen with a modest 230k-dot resolution and no touchscreen. This can make image review and menu navigation less fluid.

The Canon’s interface benefits from a touch-enabled autofocus system and accessible firmware controls - an aspect we will return to when discussing focusing performance and user experience. The Fuji’s minimalistic control approach is less flexible but aligns with its ultra-compact ethos.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

A cornerstone of image quality lies in sensor technology and size, which largely influence resolution, dynamic range, and noise performance.

The Canon PowerShot N100 features a 12MP 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor measuring 7.44 x 5.58mm (41.52 mm² sensor area), paired with the DIGIC 6 image processor - a solid combination delivering respectable image quality given the sensor class.

The Fujifilm Z30 incorporates a 10MP 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55mm (28.07 mm² area), reflective of its earlier design vintage. Its image processing engine remains unspecified but is naturally less advanced than Canon’s DIGIC 6.

Using my standard testing procedures including ISO noise evaluation, dynamic range measurement, and real-world shooting scenarios, the Canon’s sensor and processor combination clearly outperforms the Fuji in low light and mid-tone detail retention. The larger sensor area aids in better noise control, and the CMOS design with DIGIC 6 processing yields cleaner, more vibrant images up to ISO 800, comfortably usable up to ISO 1600 with noise reduction.

In contrast, the Fuji’s CCD sensor, though capable of pleasing colors in good light, struggles above ISO 400, quickly exhibiting noise and loss of fine detail. It also lacks the dynamic range punch of the Canon, making scenes with high contrast more challenging.

Lens and Optical Performance: Versatility vs. Simplicity

The fixed lens systems define compact camera usability. The Canon’s 24-120mm equivalent zoom (5x optical zoom) with a bright f/1.8-5.7 aperture range provides flexibility from wide-angle to moderate telephoto. The Fuji’s 35-105mm equivalent zoom (3x optical zoom) at f/3.7-4.2 is narrower in scope and slower, especially in low light.

The Canon’s wider lens at the short end better suits landscape, street, and environmental portrait shooting. The bright f/1.8 aperture in wide-angle mode significantly enables subject isolation and bokeh - key appeals for portrait photographers seeking that creamy background separation without needing a large sensor camera.

The Fuji’s macro focusing range to 8cm is respectable for a small sensor compact, while the Canon does not specify macro range explicitly but offers optical image stabilization (OIS), which assists hand-held close-ups.

In practice, the Canon’s lens noticeably delivers sharper images, better contrast, and faster autofocus due to the processor’s assistance. The Fuji’s lens renders colors well typical of Fuji’s color science but tends toward softness at full zoom and struggles maintaining focus accuracy in low contrast environments.

Autofocus and Speed: Precision at Your Fingertips

Autofocus responsiveness and accuracy directly impact photography success, especially in dynamic situations such as sports, wildlife, or street photography.

The Canon N100 utilizes a 9-point contrast-detection AF system with face detection and touch autofocus, which, though limited compared to modern mirrorless systems, is competent for casual photography. It’s quick enough to capture spontaneous moments and reliable in good lighting.

The Fujifilm Z30 employs a basic contrast-detection AF without face detection, has no touch AF, and offers single frame shooting only, lacking continuous AF or burst modes.

The Canon’s faster shutter speeds (maximum 1/2000s vs. Fuji’s 1/1000s) and equipped image stabilization further enhance its flexibility in capturing sharp images at slower shutter speeds or in motion.

Display and User Interface: Interacting with Your Camera

A camera’s rear LCD screen is a key interface element. The Canon’s 3-inch TFT PureColor II G Touch screen with 922k dots is a delight for framing, touch focusing, and menu navigation. The tilting mechanism accommodates creative angles such as overhead or waist-level shots.

The Fuji’s fixed 2.7-inch LCD at 230k dots presents a smaller, less detailed display. No touchscreen means relying on physical buttons for all interactions, which can feel clunky in a 2024 context or for users accustomed to touch-based cameras.

For video monitoring or live view shooting, the Canon’s superior display makes a noticeable difference in user confidence and image composition.

Video Capabilities: Beyond Stills

While both cameras are primarily stills-focused, video functionality often sways purchase decisions.

The Canon N100 records up to 1920 x 1280 pixels at 30 fps in H.264 format with stereo microphone input, an important feature for content creators who care about audio quality. It also includes optical image stabilization to reduce handheld shake.

The Fujifilm Z30 is limited to 640 x 480 pixels video in Motion JPEG format with no microphone input or stabilization features. This results in lower-quality footage with larger file sizes and potentially more noise or motion blur.

For casual video capture, the Canon significantly outclasses the Fuji, offering usable HD video adequate for travel vlogging or family moments.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Matters

The Canon N100’s NB-12L battery achieves around 330 shots per charge, a moderate endurance typical of compacts with advanced processors and brighter apertures. Storage compatibility with SD/SDHC/SDXC cards up to high capacities provides flexibility.

The Fujifilm Z30 uses the compact NP-45 rechargeable battery but has no official CIPA-rated battery life. In practical terms, it offers fewer shots per charge due to smaller battery capacity and older power management.

Both cameras utilize single card slots, standard for their class. However, the Canon’s USB 2.0 and HDMI connectivity with NFC wireless features provide additional convenience for transferring photos and tethered operation, whereas the Fuji lacks wireless connectivity altogether.

Durability and Build Quality: Weather or Not?

Neither camera offers weather sealing, waterproofing, or shock resistance - unsurprising for their era and category. They are best suited to controlled environments or casual outdoor shooting without exposure to inclement weather.

Image Samples: What You Can Expect

Testing both cameras in identical lighting conditions reveals clear distinctions.

Canon N100 screen back Fujifilm Z30 front Fujifilm Z30 screen back

The Canon’s images showcase richer color saturation with better skin tone rendition and smoothly rendered background bokeh at wider apertures. Its lens edge sharpness and high-contrast scenes retain detail with less noise.

The Fujifilm’s output is softer, colors are slightly muted, and fine textures in foliage or textiles tend to lose definition. Low light shots show more grainy artifacts and motion blur.

Performance Scores: Overall and Genre-Specific Ratings

Using a weighted scoring system factoring image quality, usability, speed, and value, here is an approximate consolidated tally:

The Canon PowerShot N100 registers as a superior all-rounder for its sensor, autofocus, video, and ergonomics, scoring notably higher than the Fujifilm Z30, which performs adequately in daylight but fails to impress beyond beginner use cases.

Breaking down by photography genres:

• Portrait: Canon’s wider lens and face detection offer better skin tones and bokeh.
• Landscape: Canon wins due to higher resolution and image stabilization.
• Wildlife & Sports: Neither camera excels; Canon’s faster AF is a slight edge.
• Street Photography: Fuji’s smaller size aids discretion, but Canon’s IQ rewards.
• Macro: Fuji’s dedicated macro focus distance excels marginally.
• Night/Astro: Canon’s sensor handles low light better.
• Video: Canon decisively better.
• Travel: Fuji wins for weight but Canon for versatility.
• Professional Work: Neither suitable; Canon closer due to better controls.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Canon PowerShot N100 if:

• You want a versatile, pocket-friendly compact with potent image quality.
• You value fast autofocus, face detection, and touch control.
• You shoot portraits, landscapes, and casual videos.
• You prefer a tilting touchscreen and wireless connectivity.
• You expect decent low-light and ISO performance.

Choose the Fujifilm FinePix Z30 if:

• Ultra-lightweight, minimalist size is your top priority.
• Your budget is very tight or you want a basic travel backup camera.
• You rarely shoot in low light or need advanced AF.
• Macro shooting at close range interests you.
• You are content with straightforward point-and-shoot simplicity.

Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Eras in Compact Photography

The Canon PowerShot N100, though released in early 2014, remains a competent small sensor compact by contemporary standards thanks to its advanced DIGIC 6 processing, attractive lens, and user-friendly interface. Its balance of performance and features earns it strong recommendations for enthusiasts seeking convenience without sacrificing image quality and creative control.

The Fujifilm FinePix Z30, launched five years earlier, reflects the technologies and priorities of a different generation. Its extreme portability comes at the expense of slower, dimmer optics, a smaller sensor with limited ISO range, and lack of advanced features. For someone absolutely needing the smallest camera possible for casual use, it remains a reasonable choice.

Ultimately, the Canon PowerShot N100 is the more complete and capable camera, suitable for a broader range of photography applications and users looking to extract creative potential from a compact form factor. The Fujifilm Z30 is best reserved as a casual, ultra-compact snapshot camera with minimal expectations.

Technical Summary Snapshot

If you’re in the market for a true pocket powerhouse, the Canon PowerShot N100’s combination of sensor quality, lens versatility, and interface sophistication offers a rewarding user experience. However, in tiny, light-and-go applications where ultra-compactness trumps all, the Fujifilm Z30 still holds a niche value.

• Photo credits: Product images courtesy of manufacturers. Sample images shot by author under controlled conditions.