Hi all
Well the headline is right, I was forced into buying an S5000.
Basically I have just come back from my favourite holiday spot, Turkey, but when we got to Heathrow 12 days ago I suddenly realised that after leaving home half awake at 6.30am, I had left my S602 in my study. So you can image the shock / horror – all those great photo opportunities and no camera. So after a few quick phone calls to a mate I found out how much a new S5000 was and then checked Dixons Duty Free – they wanted £365, and after establishing that I should get most of this back if I stick it up on eBay as new with warranty, I decided that the only way forward was to test an S5000, so that how I was forced into buying one, and using it for 12 days or so.
My first thoughts from a real user are as follows.
It feels nice to handle, not as substantial as the S602, but noticeable smaller. It fit in the wife’s handbag easily for nights out!!!
No Hotshoe !!!!, but the flash is much much better than the S602. In fact for most indoors situation you do not require an external flash it is that good.
It is much quieter than the S602 on start up and whilst focusing, and I think the focusing is slightly quicker. It also has the focus assist light, but I’m not convinced it really beneficial. Having said that I had no problems in very low light situation. I.e. in a dark bar photographing people dancing which the S602 still requires a real knack to get good results. And the S5000 has continuous AF which seems to work well, but I have not really tried it as I’m used to the AF on the S602.
The EVF I think is not as good. Some where between the old 6900Z and the S602 for brightness and clarity.
The overall functionality is pretty much the same as the S602. The stuff that is missing is not that critical, so it is a cut down S602 but it dies not really detract from the overall useabilty.
The 10x zoom is a real bonus but the lens is not as fast. Also the adapter tube is designed to be used all the time, hence you can have a filter on it and still use the Fuji Lens cap – nice touch.
Fuji have not fixed the low battery warning issue of the S602, the NiMH still die pretty well without any warning.
I will post some pics from the S5000 as soon as I get them onto my PC and do some post processing. The dynamic range does certainly appear to be greater, but I will try some direct comparisons over the next few days.
If anyone has any other questions about direct comparisons between the S602 and S5000 feel free to ask.
I will however be selling the S5000 on eBay this weekend as I cannot afford to keep both and the S5000 is probably worth more than a year old S602, lus I have the MicroDrive for the S602, I had forgotten all about having to change cards during a day out!
I know we are not supposed to solicit sales here but if anyone in the UK is interested in a genuine UK spec S5000 with full receipt and warranty at less than Duty Free price then drop me an email and maybe we can work something out.
Look out for my first S5000 photos soon. Maybe I will find one for the challenge and get it entered in time!