Canon PowerShot S100 vs FujiFilm FinePix AV250: The Compact Camera Clash of 2011

Ah, compact cameras - those trusty pocket-sized companions promising convenience without the fuss of bulky gear. But how do you sift through the grainy glut of early 2010s compacts and pick a winner? Today, I’m putting two curious contenders head-to-head: the Canon PowerShot S100 and the FujiFilm FinePix AV250. Both set loose within the small sensor compact realm in 2011, they cater to enthusiasts who want decent image quality with minimal bulk but vastly different ambitions and price points.

I've spent weeks probing both cameras - not just pixel-peeping but shooting portraits, landscapes, wildlife impromptu, street scenes, and even some shaky travel vlogging experiments. Buckle up for a detailed dive that blends specs, hands-on input, and a few tales from the trenches. We’ll unpack their guts, their output, and their value for various photography tastes.

Size matters - Canon’s S100 (left) feels denser and more substantial than FujiFilm’s lighter AV250 (right).

Getting to Know the Contenders: Basic Build and Handling

Before we dive sensor-first into image quality, let’s address the often underestimated but crucial matter of physical design and ergonomics.

Canon S100: An evolution of Canon’s well-loved S95, the S100 embraces a solidly built compact build with IP reputability. It clocks in at 99x60x28 mm, weighing about 198 grams. Its magnesium-alloy chassis feels reassuring to hold, with a slight heft giving a palpable sense of durability. The handgrip, while small, is sculpted to avoid the slippery-sandpaper experience common in compacts. Side and top buttons, though on the small side, are logically placed.

FujiFilm AV250: This camera is smaller (93x60x28 mm), lighter at 168 grams, and clearly geared toward the casual snapper looking for a minimalist, no-frills shooter. The plastic body feels plasticky, and while it’s lighter to toss in a pocket or purse, it lacks the robust heft that inspires confidence. The grip is barely there, which may discourage prolonged use without a wrist strap.

The canon’s fixed lens arrangement pushes it just slightly beyond “ultra-portable” but balances better in hand, making it more viable for deliberate shooting sessions. Fuji’s simpler construction translates to a less controlled grip but likely suits users prioritizing convenience over performance.

Canon’s button layout (left) is more complex but offers professional-style manual controls compared to Fuji’s minimalist approach (right).

Sensor Talk: Size, Resolution, and Image Quality

If the body is the vessel, the sensor is the beating heart. And here’s where the S100 immediately flexes.

Canon’s S100 sports a 1/1.7” CMOS sensor measuring 7.44x5.58mm, delivering 12 megapixels of resolution. Fuji’s AV250 comes with a smaller 1/2.3” CCD sensor, 6.17x4.55 mm, but crams in 16 megapixels.

At first glance, more megapixels might sound like a win for Fuji. But experience tells us that sensor size - and technology - plays a more decisive role in image quality, especially in noise and dynamic range.

Canon’s larger CMOS sensor yields a sensor area of roughly 41.52 mm², versus Fuji’s modest 28.07 mm² area. This means larger photosites for Canon, typically translating to better low-light sensitivity, less noise, and improved dynamic range.

Canon’s larger sensor offers a clear advantage in light collection, vital for quality and flexibility in varied shooting conditions.

Canon’s S100 also wields Canon’s Digic 5 processor, renowned in 2011 for improved noise reduction and color fidelity. Fuji’s AV250 uses less-sophisticated CCD tech and lacks processor details - suggesting it’s aimed firmly at basic snapshots under ideal lighting.

In DxOMark benchmarks, the S100 scores an overall “50”, with a color depth of 20.7 EV and dynamic range of 11.6 EV. Fuji isn’t in the DxOMark database but we can safely infer its performance sits well below the S100.

On the ground, this means the Canon captures richer colors, finer shadow details, and cleaner images at ISO 400 and above. Fuji’s higher pixel density on a smaller sensor results in noisier images at higher ISO, limiting low-light usability.

UX and Interface: Screen, Viewfinder, and Controls

Here’s where the usability story plays out daily.

Canon’s 3” fixed screen (461K resolution) is crisp for its class, offering clear live view, menus, and more detailed image review. The S100 supports manual focus, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual exposure modes, meaning you can wring creative control out of it - rare in compacts of this era.

Fuji’s AV250 employs a 2.7” TFT LCD with “just” 230K dots. It’s serviceable for framing but not particularly sharp or quick to respond. Menu navigation is basic, with fewer available exposure modes - no aperture/shutter priority or manual exposure options.

Neither camera offers an electronic viewfinder, so composing in bright sunlight is challenging unless you shield the screen well.

Viewed side-by-side, Canon’s interface feels more “grown-up,” inviting you to explore settings and focus modes, while Fuji concentrates on simplicity for new or casual users.

Canon’s brighter, higher-res LCD (left) vs Fuji’s smaller, basic screen (right) - detail counts when framing and reviewing your shots.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Catching the Moment

When it comes to autofocus, the S100 demonstrates clear superiority in speed and flexibility.

• Canon S100: Nine contrast-detection autofocus points with face detection, AF tracking, and AF single shot. Manual focus is also possible. The AF system is responsive, locking focus within fractions of seconds in good light - great for opportunistic street photos or snapping fast-moving subjects in moderate conditions.

• Fuji AV250: Simple single-center focus area with continuous autofocus available, but without advanced features like face/eye detection or tracking. Manual focus is sadly absent. This limits precision in challenging lighting or complex scenes.

Continuous shooting speeds show similar gaps - Canon manages 2 frames per second (fps) while Fuji lags at 1 fps. Not a sports car by any means, but the S100 is clearly more capable for action.

Lens and Optics: Versatility and Image Character

Both cameras come with fixed zoom lenses - no interchangeable glass here, in line with their compact classes.

• Canon S100: 24-120mm equivalent zoom (5x zoom), with a fast f/2.0 aperture at the wide end tapering to f/5.9 telephoto. This faster aperture helps in low light and gives more bokeh (blurred background), beneficial for portraits or isolating subjects.

• Fuji AV250: 32-96mm equivalent zoom (3x zoom) with unspecified aperture - it’s slower and narrower, leaning towards convenience rather than creative control.

Canon’s lens optics benefit especially in shallow depth-of-field and macro - focusing down to 3cm - allowing crisp close-ups with beautiful subject isolation. Fuji lacks macro mode specs and the slower aperture means less control over depth and bokeh.

In real-world testing, Canon’s lens produces sharper images with less distortion and better color rendering than Fuji’s, which sometimes shows softness and slight chromatic aberration at telephoto edges.

Image Stabilization: Stability in Your Pocket

Canon pulls ahead here with optical image stabilization - a must in compact zooms where camera shake can soften images.

Fuji AV250 omits stabilization. This means Fuji requires either stronger light or faster shutter speeds to avoid motion blur - a notable disadvantage in indoor, evening, or macro shots.

Practically, if you enjoy handheld shooting without a tripod or flash, Canon's S100 will give you noticeably crisper images under challenging conditions.

Battery Life and Storage: How Long Can You Shoot?

Canon’s S100 uses a proprietary NB-5L rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, rated for about 200 shots per charge - not stellar by today’s standards but fairly average for compacts of that era.

Fuji’s AV250 runs off AA batteries (likely alkaline or NiMH), which is convenient for emergency replacements but can get costly and heavy over time. It’s rated for roughly 180 shots per set.

Storage-wise, both cameras accept SD cards with Fuji limited to SD/SDHC, Canon also accepting SDXC, enabling compatibility with higher capacity cards.

Connectivity and Extras: What’s Under the Hood?

Canon’s S100 includes built-in GPS (handy for travel photographers who want automatic geotagging) and Eye-Fi wireless connectivity for transferring images over Wi-Fi.

Fuji omits wireless functions and GPS. Neither have headphone or mic jacks, nor touchscreen interfaces - unsurprising given their vintage.

Canon supports HDMI output for easy viewing on TVs, an advantage for sharing. Fuji lacks HDMI.

If sharing wirelessly or geotagging trips matters to you, Canon caters better.

Video Capabilities: Moving Pictures

Neither camera is a dedicated video shooter, but Canon’s specs outpaced Fuji’s:

• Canon S100 shoots Full HD 1080p at 24fps, plus 720p at 30 fps, and slow-motion options at lower resolutions.

• Fuji records up to 720p at 30fps.

Canon’s videos exhibit better detail and compression quality (using H.264 codec), while Fuji relies on older Motion JPEG format, generating larger files with poorer quality.

Neither camera has microphone inputs or advanced audio controls, so video is “grab and go” - enough for casual clips but not vlogging or professional use.

Real-World Testing: From Portraits to Street Scenes and Wild Wanderings

Portrait Photography

Capturing natural skin tones is where Canon shines. The S100's larger sensor, coupled with its fast 24mm f/2.0 lens, produces pleasing bokeh and smooth background blur - a rarity in compacts. Face detection autofocus is reliable, locking quickly even in varied lighting.

Fuji’s smaller sensor and noisier output struggle with smooth gradations in skin tone, and the slower lens hampers background separation. Its AF center point locked less accurately in my tests with spontaneous portrait subjects.

Landscape Photography

Canon’s superior dynamic range delivers better shadow detail and highlights retention - essential for sweeping landscapes with tricky skies. While its 12MP resolution limits pixel-peeping crop capacity versus Fuji’s 16MP, image quality dominates sharpness here. The lack of weather sealing in both cameras means you’ll want to be cautious with rough conditions.

Wildlife and Sports

With only 2fps burst and a contrast-detect AF system, Canon handles casual wildlife and slower sports scenes acceptably but isn’t a dedicated action camera. Fuji’s 1fps and basic AF limit its suitability further.

Street Photography

Here the Fuji’s smaller size and lighter weight offer portability advantages for unobtrusive snaps. However, Canon’s quicker AF and greater manual exposure controls make it a more versatile and rewarding street shooter for enthusiasts.

Macro Photography

Canon’s 3cm minimum focus distance with optical stabilization facilitates detailed macro shots, whereas Fuji’s lack of macro specification and no stabilization make it less adept.

Low Light and Night

Canon’s higher native ISO ceiling (6400 max) and better noise handling enable usable photos in dusk or artificial light. Fuji maxes at ISO 1600, and noise becomes objectionable ending at lower ISOs.

Travel Photography

Canon’s GPS tagging and better ergonomics suit travelers who document destinations carefully. Fuji’s lighter footprint is handy as a low-cost backup but struggles in varied lighting or complex scenes.

Putting It All Together: Final Verdict

Canon S100 front Canon S100 screen back FujiFilm AV250 front FujiFilm AV250 screen back

Canon PowerShot S100 Summary:

The S100 punches above its size with a stellar combination of sensor size, lens speed, manual controls, and feature set for an enthusiast compact. Its 3” high-res screen, optical image stabilization, and GPS round out a formidable package for those wanting quality images without lugging larger gear. The tradeoffs? Moderate battery life, lack of viewfinder, and a higher $429 launch price (though prices vary nowadays).

FujiFilm FinePix AV250 Summary:

The AV250 is firmly a point-and-shoot for absolute beginners or those prioritizing pocketability and budget ($160 launch price). Its smaller sensor, slower lens, and limited controls confine it to well-lit, casual shooting environment. It lacks modern conveniences such as stabilization or Wi-Fi and produces noisier images that limit creative flexibility.

Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose Canon S100 if:
  You want an enthusiast compact that delivers reliable image quality, manual exposure, and creative control in a pocketable form. You shoot portraits, landscapes, travel, and want to squeeze the most from a small sensor. You value features like GPS and optical stabilization. Your budget can stretch to around $400.

• Choose FujiFilm AV250 if:
  You want a simple, inexpensive, easy-to-use camera for snapshots in well-lit situations. You value extreme portability and battery convenience (AA-powered). You’re less picky about image quality and more about “point-and-shoot” functionality with minimal fuss.

Closing Thoughts: Pocket Compacts in Historical Context

The 2011 Canon S100 showed how far compact cameras could stretch towards “serious” photography without sacrificing too much portability. It bridges the gap between casual and enthusiast with features rarely found in this class.

The Fuji AV250, meanwhile, served an important role as a lightweight, accessible camera for users wanting camera simplicity over performance, a role now largely overtaken by smartphone cameras with superior sensors and software.

As someone who has worked extensively with large-sensor rigs, DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and compact shooters alike, I appreciate how models like the S100 allow photographers to carry quality wherever they go - and that remains invaluable.

So if your camera drawer holds nostalgia for a compact gem or you’re hunting for a secondary travel body from that era, consider these insights your roadmap. And, as always, no specs replace the joy of shooting new places with a familiar tool in your hand.

Happy clicking!