Fujifilm FinePix S5000 Review
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Review
Date: Oct 17, 2003 |
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Photoxels
Awards
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Handling & Feel
Burning
Bush:
22mm, Programmed Auto, Multi-Pattern, 1/170 sec.,
F3.2 and ISO 200
The
Fujifilm FinePix S5000 is a beautifully
designed digital camera with dimensions of 4.4W
x 3.2H x 3.1D in. and weighing 16.9 oz. with the
4 AA batteries and xD-Picture card. It is constructed
with a tough plastic body which feels quite nice,
with rubberized parts at all the right places.
The "SLR look" that the designer decided
to give the FinePix S5000 is just right and the
black textured body looks very professional.
The FinePix S5000 is not pocketable, and Fujifilm
includes a shoulder strap. The camera is extremely
light and the best way to carry it is probably
slung over the shoulder, in a backpack, or in
the kind of bag that slungs diagonally across
the shoulder and rests on the chest (for ease
of reach).
Those who prefer larger bodies to the compact
and ultra-compact designs will love the feel and
handling of the FinePix S5000. It is extremely
light and small for a long zoom digital camera.
With the right hand on the hand grip and the left
hand under the lens adapter (I always leave it
screwed on), it is possible to hold the FinePix
S5000 rock steady.
Let's
answer the question that is burning in most people's
mind: Is it possible to hand hold shots at maximum
zoom without image stabilization?
Those who are regular here know that I like to
take my shots hand held, using a tripod only for
some macro or otherwise impossible shots. (I.e.
"Real Life Shots" -- after all, how
many of us walk around with a tripod on our shoulders?)
Well, I expect having to use a tripod for maximum
zoom shots, but am pleasantly surprised that I
do not have to as long as the shutter speed is
fast enough (for me, that's 1/150 sec. and up).
I invariably end up with blurred shots due to
camera shake at slow shutter speeds. You might
have a steady hand, but my guess is you would
need a tripod or some other means to physically
stabilize the camera at slow shutter speeds. It
helps that the hand grip and lens adapter makes
it possible to hold the FinePix S5000 rock steady.
The
LCD is clear with adjustable brightness. The image
on the LCD can also be rerouted to the Electronic
Viewfinder (EVF) which has diopter adjustment
for those who, like me, wear glasses.
Lastly,
not to be ignored is the "professional SLR"
look of the FinePix S5000 which -- I was quite
surprised to find -- tends to command more "respect"
from people and prospective subjects.
Even
though the FinePix S5000 "SLR" design
is not something new, I have not found another
consumer digital camera that has implemented it
so nicely as in the S5000. The positive "total
experience" you get from using the FinePix
S5000 (everything feels just right) is
something we want to highlight, and so we award
it our OriGenial™
Seal of Approval.
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