Fujifilm FinePix S5000

Color (6.05)
We tested the FinePix S5000’s color performance using Imatest Imaging Software and a GretagMacbeth color chart. The software produces a reading of the colors and the degree of variance from the ideal. These results are depicted in the chart below. The outer square of each color tile is the actual color produced by the camera. The inner square is the camera’s color corrected by the software, an important sample to note if you plan on exporting your images to Photoshop or other external editing software, as this is roughly how the corrections will appear. The interior, vertical rectangle is the ideal color.

The chart below represents the color accuracy of the Fuji FinePix S5000. The circles are representative of the tones produced by the camera, while the squares are the ideal hue. The distance between each circle and its linked square indicates the degree of color error. The shorter the line, the closer the camera’s tone is to the ideal.

The Fujifilm FinePix S5000 earned an overall color score of 6.05. This score indicates the S5000 produces even colors with some exaggeration. The problem is that there is variance in every color from its ideal tone; no colors are "spot on." With the exception of #5 (blue flower), #11 (yellow green) and #16 (yellow), each tone strays a significant amount from its desired color. The positive aspect is that there is consistency in the color discrepancies as all tend to be over-saturated.

The 122.3% mean camera saturation score is the highest of any camera we have tested so far. This is an overall measure of the saturation for each color value. While often cameras over-saturate tones slightly to accentuate vibrancy, the colors produced by the FinePix S5000 are far from naturalistic and move closer towards pastels. This is a major hindrance in the S5000’s imaging capabilities and alienates this camera from anyone seeking naturalistic color representation.

Still Life Scene
Below is our sacred still life scene which we photograph with each camera.

Click on the image above to view a full size version (CAUTION: File is very large)

Resolution/Sharpness (2.24)
To gauge the real resolution of the Fujifilm FinePix S5000, we tested a series of shots of our resolution chart and analyzed the results with Imatest. The software reads the image and gives the actual lines of resolution within the image. The camera is tested at the highest quality settings and lowest ISO rating, to get the cleanest exposure the camera is capable of producing. We take a series of shots at different shutter speeds and aperture values and report the highest score registered. In general, there is quite a large discrepancy between the resolution we are able to read in the images and the resolution the manufacturer claims the camera is capable of. In general, a good performance is 80-89% of the manufacturer’s resolution claim, while anything over 90% is excellent.

I consider this test to be one of most valuable forms of information we provide because unfortunately, without owning or testing the camera, there is no way of knowing how well the camera will perform. There has been an astonishing range of variance amongst both manufacturers and models in how far they diverge from the intended or advertised resolution capabilities.

The Fujifilm FinePix S5000 recorded 70.1% of the manufacturer’s stated pixel count, exposing our chart with 2.2 megapixels of resolution. While the 2.2 megapixel score is not incredibly high, it is decent for a point-and-shoot camera. The 70% real resolution recorded by the Fujifilm FinePix S5000 is respectable and should not inhibit anyone from looking into the camera; however, if its pure image resolution you desire, I would suggest looking into other options. For instance, the Sony DSC-P100 is a pure point-and-shoot camera, fitting comfortably in your pocket and selling at roughly the same price as the Fuji FinePix S5000. The  DSC-P100 received a real resolution score of 4.17 megapixels, 83% of its stated capabilities. This is far ahead of the S5000 in terms of quality, but it does not contain the amount of surface area the S5000 provides so the buttons are quite crammed. It is important to know what you want in a camera, then find the style and type to match your needs. While image quality is definitely a determinant, there are cameras within every style that perform; you just have to decide what market is for you. If it’s a purely a high-resolution point-and-shoot imager you're after, I think there are stronger imaging cameras than the FinePix S5000.

Noise — Auto ISO (4.73)
The FinePix S5000 did not fare well in automatic ISO mode. Auto ISO control is responsible for setting the camera to the proper sensitivity rating. Most point-and-shoot cameras rely on automatic ISO settings to maximize illumination and minimize noise within the image. ISO is an important characteristic of image clarity, ultimately determining the degree of distortion within the image as the available light is altered. A score of 4.73 shows that this camera can't handle extremities in light without distorting the image. Therefore, users of the FinePix S5000 will instead have to rely on ideal lighting conditions to get clear imagery with minimal distortion or will have to move to manual ISO mode.

Noise — Manual ISO (8.17)
In order to measure the camera’s performance, we tested the quality of various images on each ISO setting. These tests are conducted with Imatest Imaging Software under fixed light and conditions and all exposures are of the same chart. The fixed conditions allow us to gauge the variance in image quality as the ISO gain is added to the image. We then take a regression analysis of the noise results, determining a total value or noise score for the camera. This takes into account the available ISO settings, the noise produced in each image, and the resulting degradation of quality when gain is added.

The graph above illustrates the S5000’s noise levels at the various ISO ratings. While it is expected that noise levels will increase as ISO settings are pushed, it should be understood that the 800 ISO rating on the S5000 is only available at 1M quality. Therefore, there are only two manual ISO ratings offered at full resolution (200, 400). While this is limited for a camera that offers manual ISO settings, the options available produced minimal noise and excelled in sharpness. This is a particular area of strength for the FinePix S5000 and should be viewed as an edge within the point-and-shoot ranks.

Speed Timing
Startup/First shot (6.72)
Speed is not the main attraction of the FinePix S5000, but this model is not the turtle of the camera world either. With a start-up time of 3.28 sec the FinePix S5000 runs at a moderate pace. If you are looking for a quick start-up time, the FinePix F700 is far faster than the S5000; however, if initial speed is not a main concern the S5000 should suffice.

Shot to shot (8.63)
The shot-to-shot speed of the S5000 is far faster than its start-up time and is remarkably ahead of most cameras we have tested. Capturing images every 1.37 sec is an incredibly fast rate for normal shooting mode on a point-and-shoot camera. While this speed is not comparable to digital SLRs that expose images within a tenth of a second of each other, for an automatic point- and-shoot camera, this is quite impressive.

Shutter to shot (9.77)
Fujifilm holds this aspect of the camera in high regard. In fact, many of their cameras are quite responsive to the shutter release button. The S5000 records a shot 0.23 sec after the shutter has been activated. This is fast by point-and-shoot standards and again is only slow when compared to the Fujifilm F700 and digital SLRs.