Fuji SL1000 review

50x zoom, raw capture and advanced features

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review
The Fuji FinePix SL1000 has a 50x zoom

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

We were genuinely impressed with the level of detail the Fuji SL1000 could resolve in the real world. However, softening of this detail starts to occur from around ISO 400.

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Colours are strong and vibrant using the Fuji SL1000's standard colour setting, and we didn't have to make any edits post-capture to bring them out.

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

This street singer was unfortunately standing in front of a busy background, but shooting at a distance from the telephoto end of the 50x zoom provides nice compression, softening it nicely to help the subject to stand out.

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Shooting inside under tungsten light, with strong natural light coming in from a window on the side, the Fuji SL1000's auto white balance does a pretty good job at keeping colours and tones natural. The off-white wall in the background of this shot is a little on the orange side, but this is nothing that couldn't be fixed in your raw editor.

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

The tiltable LCD screen is easy to view in bright overhead sun, which we experienced when shooting this image. It's also perfect for street photographers who want to be a little more discreet.

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Not one of our best shots, but this image illustrates how well the Fuji SL1000's metering system handles difficult lighting conditions. The dark foreground subjects fill 40% of the frame, with bright sky across the rest. Yet the camera has managed to achieve a strong, natural-looking blue, as well as detail in the brick-work of the old church.

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

For stationary subjects such as this statue of a Roman soldier, composing from the telephoto end of your 50x zoom isn't too bad. Stabilise the camera and you'll eventually get there. Moving subjects, however, are considerably more difficult.

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

To give you a better idea of the zoom reach available, here you can see a view of a popular town centre square shot at the wide-angle end of the focal range.

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

Zooming in to the telephoto end of the range we were able to pick out this man in the far distance having an animated conversation with someone over the phone. The picture is crisp, clear and noise-free, even when viewed at actual pixels.

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review

Click here to see the full resolution image

HDR mode worked well in shadowy areas such as this tunnel.

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review

Writing mode on

Click here to see the full resolution image

Fuji FinePix SL1000 review

Writing mode off

Click here to see the full resolution image

Writing mode makes text stand out more clearly against backgrounds, although we think the improvement is fairly slight.