Auto Mode (7.5)
When the Fujifilm FinePix E550 is placed in automatic mode, the user can utilize the menu to select the Self Timer Setting, Burst Mode, and Options Settings. Flash settings are still manually controllable, the zoom distance is still manual, and from within the “F” button menu the user can still select the Image Quality, the ISO, and the color mode.
Movie Mode (8.5)
In movie mode, the E550 is capable of capturing continuous audio and video footage at a rate of 30 fps, with quality selections of 640 x 480 and 320 x 240. The amount of video footage is limited only by the size of the memory card. Unfortunately, it is not possible to engage the zoom once recording has begun, so preparation is essential.
Drive / Burst Mode (7.0)
Continuous, or burst, mode is also available on the E550, and can be found in the continuous shooting subsection of the on-screen menu. When selected, the user can choose among top-four-frame, auto-bracket, final-four-frame, and long-period continuous shooting. Top-four shoots at intervals of .3 seconds; bracketing shoots the image at three separate exposure settings with settings of +/-1/3, +/-2/3, or +/-1 EV. The final-four setting allows for the shutter to be released up to 40 times, at up to .3 seconds/frame, and will record the last four frames. Long period allows for up to 40 continuous frames at .6 second intervals, at a pixel ratio of 1600 x 1200.
Playback Mode (6.0)
To begin Playback mode, the user must switch the camera mode switch to the play arrow in green. Once engaged, it is possible for the user to view images one at a time, manually or automatically. Even more desirable is the trim option that is available in playback mode. It is possible to enter the menu, select the trimming setting and, through pressing the T and W on the zoom control, select an appropriate playback digital zoom setting. Once the proper portion of the image is highlighted in the frame, the user merely presses the Menu/Ok button to save the cropped image.
Custom Image Presets (5.0)
There are a handful of custom image presets available to the user of the Fujifilm FinePix E550, but far fewer than on many similar models. The E550 appears to offer advanced manual control within its bracket; however, the camera does sacrifice some automatic or preset preferences to make that possible. These are available through the Mode Dial, and include Portrait, Landscape, Sports, and Night Scene modes. It would have been nice to see some of the more specific preset options included that many cameras now seem to employ, such as glass, fireworks, candle settings, etc. These specific presets are what makes the situational settings advantageous to users.
