Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

The Fujifilm FinePix S5100 was announced in August 2004 and made its debut on the market at the retail price of $499. The successor to the FinePix S5000, the S5100 adds more megapixels on a different type of imaging processor and fifty bucks to the price tag. The digital camera touts 4.23 and 4 effective megapixels on its 1/2.7-inch CCD. The most prominent feature of this FinePix model is its Fujinon 10x optical zoom lens; equivalent to 37-370mm zoom range in 35mm format. The S5100 is an amalgamation of styles, offering the look of an SLR, control of an intermediate camera, and the weight of a compact camera.
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Connectivity
Software (6.5)
The S5100 comes with a Fujifilm CD-ROM with FinePix Viewer software versions 4.2 for Windows and 3.3 for Macs. The software provides basic viewing and editing tools.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs (6.0)
The left side of the camera is the home of the Fujifilm FinePix S5100's ports. A rubber door covers the USB, DC in, and A/V out sockets. The video out port is NTSC and PAL interchangeable. The included 16MB xD-Picture Card is also tucked away behind a plastic door on the left side of the camera. Four AA batteries are included to power the camera, but the AC power adaptor is an optional accessory sold separately.

Direct Print Options (6.0)
The FinePix S5100 is PictBridge compatible. When users press the “F” button, a screen titled “DPOF” will appear and ask if pictures should be printed with the date or without. Once chosen, the four-way navigational dial allows users to choose the quantity of prints desired. Users then press the MENU/OK button to begin printing or press the DISP/BACK button to abort the process. With four effective megapixels, the S5100 can print 11 x 17-inch prints that look good when shot at the highest quality setting.

Memory (3.0)
The FinePix S5100 comes with a 16MB xD-Picture Card, but accepts cards of that brand up to 512MB. A larger card will be necessary, especially if the user plans on capturing movie clips. Many Fujifilm users have complained that the xD-Picture Cards are expensive. This may be true; it depends on how expensive is defined. I’ve seen 512MB xD-Picture Cards sell for $90, but I’ve also seen CompactFlash cards of the same capacity and read/write speed sell for $40 cheaper.

Other features (2.0)
Self-timer - The self-timer is available in every mode, including the fully automatic mode. To access this feature, press the MENU/OK button then scroll to either the ten- or two-second choice. It becomes activated once you depress the shutter release button. The self-timer lamp on the front of the camera blinks every second until the picture is taken.

World Time - The manual calls this option “world time,” but here is what it really is: Users can set the time in the setup menu. Then, if they travel, there’s a separate menu option where the time difference can be entered. The differential can be activated at will; the idea is that users won’t have to reset the main clock.

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