Fujifilm FinePix E550

Model Design / Appearance (7.5)
The crisp design of the Fujifilm FinePix E550 starts with its square frame with rounded edges. There is a sizable right hand grip protruding out from the camera body that’s been covered with a light gray textured surface. Another section covered with the same material is found on the back of the camera body where the right-hand thumb rests. Although it feels nice, I’m not sure whether these actually enhance the user’s grip on the camera or just attract dirt and sweat from the user’s hands.

Size / Portability (7.0)
The Fujifilm FinePix E550 fits in the hand comfortably, but the weight of the camera (including the two AA batteries) and its body style definitely impedes the camera from fitting into a pocket. Most features on the E550 are flush with the camera body, making them less likely to be accidentally engaged or caught on clothing.

Handling Ability (6.5)
The E550 by Fuji feels solid in the user’s hands, and it is heavy enough to convey a sense of solidity without feeling overly weighty during lengthy shooting. Once shooting is done, the longer frame and a thicker body make transportation of the Fujifilm FinePix E550 more difficult than transporting the sleeker, more slender digital camera models. The fingers of the right hand can easily reach the controls on the right side of the camera body; however, the flash button in the upper center portion on the back is inaccessible without readjustment and wasted time. The viewfinder is undersized, and the barrel of the zoom lens is visible when viewing through this window frame. This flaw compounds the already inaccurately framed image that will result once the photo is captured.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (6.5)
Although most of the buttons on the Fujifilm FinePix E550 are of an appropriate size and positioned for simple access, this camera has a few problematic elements. The mode dial is small and attractive, but the grip along its side is not pronounced enough to allow for simple engagement, which causes the thumb of the right hand to slip. The flash button is located on a slant that moves from the top of the camera to the back, and it is placed so that the user must either move the left hand completely or mask the LCD screen while fumbling for it. The "ring" style employed with the four-way controller is a bit tight and some less dexterous users may find themselves frustrated.

 Menu (8.0)
When the menu button is pressed, the LCD displays the menu as a transparent color overlay with the live image behind it. In Automatic mode, the menu allows the user to select from the Self Timer speed, Burst Mode, and Options settings. However, once the camera is in full Manual mode, the user can also select White Balance, Focusing Mode, Photometry, Exposure Compensation, Sharpness, and Flash. The user can also control the Shutter Speed and Aperture Settings for the camera in Manual mode. The menus themselves are straightforward, with full-word descriptions and pop-up submenus with simple layouts.

Ease of Use (7.5)
This camera clearly lays out mode dial settings and an abundance of manual controls not normally available on a point-and-shoot digital camera model. With the exception of relegating the ISO settings to the "F" menu, the menus with their real-time live background were straightforward and easy to navigate. The four-way control, however, is a bit undersized, and the viewfinder was rendered entirely useless when blocked by the zoom lens. Lastly, the two-inch LCD screen was easy to see and did not suffer from terrible solarizing – a blessing, when the viewfinder cannot be trusted.