Fujifilm FinePix S5000

Viewfinder (7.0)
Viewing on this camera is somewhat an area of compromise. While the electronic viewfinder contains 110,000 pixels within the 0.33-in. optical screen, grain and visibility are major concerns. While fortunately, the LCD screen surpasses the viewfinder, the user must choose an isolated mode of viewing and cannot alternate freely between the two since only one is accessible at a time. While this works for some users because of the obvious logistics of only looking through one at a time, the precision-seeking user will find the need to manually switch them each time an alternate view is sought. This will be a bit distracting and may become an irritant on prolonged shoots. That is a definite flaw in all electronic viewfinders; however, they will provide 100% frame coverage.

LCD Screen (6.0)
The FinePix S5000’s LCD screen contains a 1.5-inch 110K-pixel LCD screen that is a bit small and somewhat scant in imaging capability. While the printed image is ultimately what matters most, the LCD image is all the viewer has to satisfy immediate viewing urges. Thus a large, sharp LCD monitor is more of a luxury but the FinePix S5000 may not be sufficient for those Polaroid-converters who weigh the instant image heavily.

Flash (7.0)
The Fujifilm FinePix S5000 contains a built-in, fully automatic flash accessed by the sensor. It illuminates from 1ft.-19.7ft. at an ISO setting of 200. This is an ideal flash for the point-and-shooter, containing Red-eye reduction, slow synchronization for slow shutter settings, and a suppressed flash feature allowing for intentional suppression of any flash. The S5000 contains 6 automatic flash modes in all. The primary problem with the S5000’s system of illumination is that it does not contain any form of accessory shoe for additional flash options. While the stock flash will be suitable for most settings and scenarios, for the more advanced user, restriction to a direct, straight-on flash may feel a bit constricting and limiting. Like many digital cameras, the rigid pop-up flash only has two positions: up and down; in much the same way as an old 80’s sports car has headlights that pop up from the hood. When the flash is up, the rigid light does not allow any way to move or direct the bulb, preventing any form of bouncing or diffusing the light. Although this is a common flaw in most digital cameras, many others provide an accessory shoe for attaching an external flash. While this may not be necessary for many point-and-shoot users, others will find this limitation a major hindrance and will be eternally confined within the S5000’s narrow illumination options.

Zoom Lens (8.0)
The 10x optical "ultra" zoom lens is a primary marketing point for the FinePix S5000. The 10x optical zoom is massive for a stock lens, particularly at this price. The lens has an equivalent focal range of 37-370mm (in a 35mm camera), 5.7-57mm on the digital scale. The image maintains clarity for most of its zoom capabilities. The only disappointment from this lens that I found is that it is so intent on functioning in telephoto that I felt it skimped a bit with the wide angle view. 37mm equivalency on a 35mm camera is not very wide, while most 35mm SLR cameras come with 50mm lenses. By far the most popular fixed wide angle lens is the 28mm while many true wide angle enthusiasts prefer lenses that go as low as 21mm or 23mm. But the FinePix S5000 does come with a lens adaptor ring, allowing for additional attachment of two other Fujifilm lenses.

The 10x optical zoom is impressive and should be a major draw to this camera; however, the "22x zoom" printed on the lens is laughable. We all know about digital zoom — it enlarges pixels and results in increased grain distortion in the image. I just don’t understand why Fujifilm was not content to directly market the true gem of this camera: its 10x optical zoom.