Fujifilm FinePix

Fujifilm approached the digicam era like the film company it was, and it shows in the images. Many FinePix models of the period used Fujifilm's own SuperCCD sensor, whose unusual diagonal pixel layout was designed to pull more light and dynamic range from a small chip — giving FinePix photos rich, film-like color and better high-ISO performance than most competitors could manage. The fashion-oriented Z series, like the pink Z5fd, added sliding lens covers, jewel-box styling, and early face detection aimed squarely at the social snapshooter.

That combination makes FinePix cameras favorites for anyone chasing warm, nostalgic color straight out of camera. The main thing to know before buying is storage: Y2K-era FinePix models use the xD-Picture Card format that Fujifilm co-developed with Olympus, not SD. Cards are smaller in capacity and no longer made, which is why we test and include or stock xD cards alongside these cameras.

Every FinePix here has passed Measure Joy's full multi-point inspection and ships with a battery and a 90-day warranty — so the only surprise is how good the colors look.