The FujiFilm FinePix S5000 is clearly inspired by the look and
feel of an SLR camera. It also carries over a few of the design elements
— mostly internal — of the camera on which it is based, the
FinePix 3800.
The
S5000 is equipped with a 10X zoom lens, which retracts partially
into the barrel. As part of the camera kit, a lens/filter adapter is included
that screws on to the lens barrel, and which has a clip-on cap, that can
also be attached to the lens barrel directly.
While the look of the FinePix S5000 is quite "SLR", its size
isn't. The S5000 fits comfortably in an open hand, and is quite light.
The shape, however, requires some sort of pouch or carry bag. It simply
cannot be slipped into a pocket.
As
with the earlier version of the camera, the FinePix S5000 is equipped
with both an electronic viewfinder (EVF) and a 1.5 inch LCD monitor. Both
displays offer a similar number of pixels, 114,000. The EVF yields an
image with a noticeably blue tinge, and although it is equipped with a
diopter adjustment, its sharpness is not extraordinary.
Similarly, the LCD monitor provides an acceptable image, but its sharpness
is average, and this becomes quite noticeable when an image is magnified.
Continuous
Shooting modes: Top 5 frames, Auto Bracketing, Final 5 frames,
Long Period Shooting. (See the Characteristics section
for details.)
Exposure
Compensation: ± 2EV in 1/3 EV steps.
The
Mode Dial is closer to the back, and inclined slightly so it can
be easily rotated with the thumb. The Mode Dial has 7 positions:
Full
Auto Mode: the camera handles everything and very few settings
are available.
Program
Mode: the camera selects the aperture and shutter speed automatically,
but also provides Program Shift, which allows the selection of other
combinations of apertures and shutter speeds.
Shutter
Priority: allows the selection of shutter speeds while the camera
picks an appropriate aperture (2 seconds to 1/1000 sec).
Aperture
Priority: allows the selection of apertures while the camera
matches it to a shutter speed. (Wide angle: f2.8 to f8; Telephoto:
f3.2 to f9)
Manual
Mode: complete control over both the apertures and shutter speeds
available with the S5000. (Apertures as above, but shutter speeds
range from 2 seconds to 1/2000 sec).
Scene
Modes:
Portrait
Mode: selects a wide aperture to have the subject in focus
and the background blurred, enhances skin tones. The flash
remains available.
Landscape:
uses a small aperture to have foreground to background in
focus. The flash is automatically cancelled.
Sports:
selects a fast shutter speed and a higher ISO if set to Auto,
necessary to capture fast movement. The flash is available.
Night
Scene: records images with a shutter speed as slow as
2 seconds, and with the sensitivity forced to 200 ISO if the
camera is set to Auto ISO. The flash remains useable.
Movie
Mode: a movie can be recorded, with sound, and will last as
long as there is space on the memory card. Movies are recorded at
a frame size of 320 x 240 pixels and at 30 frames per second. The
zoom is locked at the starting position.
The remaining external controls are organized above, and to the right
of the LCD monitor:
Photo
Mode: is used to set the image size, sensitivity, and colour
mode.
Selects
between the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and the LCD monitor.
Cancels
a selection that has been made in the menu.
Calls
up the menu, and confirms selections that have been made.
The
4-direction control around the Menu/OK button serves to navigate menus,
and the up down arrows are used to choose apertures or shutter speeds
in some modes, or combinations of apertures and shutter speeds when the
camera is set to the Program mode. The left and right arrows also have
an additional function. The left arrow is to start the macro mode:
Provides
focus from 10 cm to 2 m (3.9 to 78 inches [6.5 ft]) in wide angle
and from 90 cm to 2 m (3 to 6.5 ft) at the maximum telephoto setting.
Macro or close-up lenses can be attached to the lens adapter which
has a diameter of 55mm, a very common size, increasing the macro
capability of the S5000.
The
right arrow controls the built-in flash's modes. The flash is manually
released with a small button on the left side of the flash housing.
Finally, the lowest
button on the S5000's back controls the information displayed on the screen:
By
default, whether the EVF or the monitor is used, the S5000 overlays
basic information on the image. Pressing the DISP button
once adds a grid to the display, intended to help in composition,
while pressing the button a second time clears it of any superimposed
information. Pressing it again returns the display to its default.
Ergonomically,
the Fujifilm S5000 is a camera that works. By borrowing some of the ergonomic
design of SLR cameras, cameras designed so that they can be easy and comfortable
to use over extended periods of time, the S5000 offers one of the best
"in-hand" feel that can be had in a compact camera.
