Review based on a production Fujifilm FinePix S5500
Announced in July 2004, the Fujifilm FinePix S5500 (sold as the S5100 in some territories) is an update to the S5000 offering the same 10x (37-370mm equiv.) optical zoom, SLR-like styling, comprehensive feature set and aggressive price point. The most significant change is the replacement of the rather controversial 'Super CCD' sensor used in the S5000 with a conventional 4 megapixel CCD offering an extra million effective pixels (the S5000's SCCD sensor used 3.1 million effective pixels to produce 6MP output images). Other welcome improvements include a better movie mode, manual (custom) white balance control and improved viewfinder/LCD screen coverage.
*Note: The FinePix S5500 used in this review is the same camera as the S5100 sold in the US. Throughout this review any reference to the S5500 applies equally to the S5100.
 Fujifilm FinePix S5500/S5100 |
 Fujifilm FinePix S5000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 1/2.7 inch square pixel CCD | 1/2.7" SuperCCD HR |
| Effective Pixels | 4.0 million | 3.1 million |
| Maximum file size | 2272 x 1704 | 2816 x 2120 (interpolated) |
| Viewfinder | 0.33 inches, 115,000 pixels | 0.33 inches, 110,000 pixel LCD |
| Viewfinder/screen frame coverage | approx 100% | approx 90% |
| ISO settings | Auto, 64,100,200,400 |
Auto, 100,200,400,800 (1MP only) |
| Manual White balance | Yes | No |
| Playback histogram | Yes | No |
| Continuous shooting | Max 3.3 fps (3 frames) | Max 4.2 fps (5 frames) |
| Max Shutter speed | 1/2000th | 1/1000th |
| Movie Mode (Max) | 640 x 480, 30 fps, with audio Only limited by storage card |
320 x 240, 30 fps, with audio Only limited by storage card |
| Street price | • US: $399 (FinePix S5100) • UK: £250 (FinePix S5500) |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Polycarbonate |
| Sensor | • 1/2.7 inch square pixel CCD |
| Image sizes | • 2272 x 1704 • 1600 x 1200 • 1280 x 960 • 640 x 480 |
| Movie clips | • 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Lens | • 37 - 370mm equiv. (10x optical zoom) Fujinon |
| Focus | • Contrast-detect through-the-lens (TTL) AF • Auto and manual focus • Continuous and single shot AF • AF illuminator • Area, Center and Multi (manual AF point selection) autofocus • 10cm closest focus (macro mode, wideangle) |
| Shooting mode | • Programmed AE with program shift |
| Sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 64,100,200,400 |
| White Balance | • Auto • 6 presets • Manual |
| Image parameters | • Contrast (3 levels + auto) • Color options (standard, chrome, black & white) |
| Continuous | • Top 3-frame: up to 3 frames (at intervals as short as approx. 0.3 sec.) • Final 3-frame: last 3 frames before releasing the shutter button (at intervals as short as approx. 0.3 sec.) • Long-period continuous shooting: up to 40 frames (at intervals as short as approx. 0.6 sec.) |
| Flash | • Built-in pop-up flash • Auto, Manual on/off, Red-eye reduction: on/off, Slow sync: on/off • Range (Auto ISO):W: 0.3– 5.0 m (1.0–16.4 ft ); T: 0.8– 4.5 m (2– 14.8 ft) |
| Storage | • XD-Picture Card |
| Viewfinder | • 0.33 inches, 115,000 pixels electronic viewfinder • Approx coverage 100% • Dioptre adjustment |
| LCD monitor | • 1.5" TFT, 115,000 pixels • approx 100% coverage |
| Connectivity | • USB • A/V out • DC-IN |
| Power | • 4x AA batteries (Alkaline included) • Ni-MH batteries recommended • AC-5VH AC adapter (optional) |
| Supplied accessories* | • AA-size alkaline batteries (LR6) (4) |
| Other features | • 64 Zone Multi, Spot and Average metering |
| Weight (inc batts) | 480 g (16.9 oz) |
| Dimensions | 112.7 mm × 81.1 mm × 79.3 mm (4.4 in. × 3.2 in. × 3.1 in.) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions. Images which can be viewed at a larger size have a small magnifying glass icon in the bottom right corner of the image, clicking on the image will display a larger (typically VGA) image in a new window. To navigate the review simply use the next / previous page buttons, to jump to a particular section either pick the section from the drop down or select it from the navigation bar at the top. DPReview calibrate their monitors using Color Vision OptiCal at the (fairly well accepted) PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the (computer generated) grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C. |
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This article is Copyright 2004 and may NOT in part or in whole be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from the author.
Fujifilm Finepix S5100 4MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom | $45.81 |
Fujifilm Finepix S1000fd 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Zoom | $60.00 |
Fujifilm Finepix S5100 4MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom | $45.81 |
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