Fujifilm FinePix S5100

Auto Mode (7.5)
There are several automatic and semi-automatic modes available on the Fujifilm FinePix S5100. The fully automatic mode is labeled with a red AUTO on the main mode dial. If you press the menu button, you get two choices: self-timer and option. In this mode, all the user can do is point, zoom, and press the shutter release button. It’s easy. That’s how automatic mode should be. The Programmed AE mode provides the user with a bit more room for creativity. There are also the semi-automatic aperture priority auto and shutter priority auto modes. The S5100 has four scene modes: portrait, landscape, sports, and night scene.

Movie Mode (7.0)
Thanks to the built-in microphone on the front, the Fujifilm FinePix S5100 records movie clips with audio. The movie mode is accessed on the main function dial, where there is a picture of a video camera. The resolution of the movie can be set by pushing the "F" button above the LCD screen. Movies can be shot at 640 x 480 or 320 x 240, both at 30 frames per second, and are only limited by the memory card’s capacity. Unfortunately, there is only a 16MB card included with the FinePix S5100, which gives users 13-26 seconds on a formatted card. The movie mode is easy to use. To begin recording, press the shutter release button once. To stop, press it again. The only complaint about the movie mode is the lack of zoom; however, this is common with the movie modes in digital cameras.

Drive / Burst Mode (6.5)
There is a continuous shooting mode that is activated by pushing the continuous shooting mode button on the top of the camera. To change the shooting mode, the user must hold that button down and press the four-way keys to select the desired mode. The options are Top 3-frame continuous shooting, Auto bracketing, Final 3-frame continuous shooting, and Long-period continuous shooting. The fastest these modes can shoot is 0.28 seconds between frames. The problem with these "burst modes" is that the actual burst does not last very long. The 3-frame modes shoot about four frames consecutively and then pause for a few seconds to write to the card. I recommend saving these modes until the absolute pinnacle of action, then shooting to your heart’s desire. Just don’t start the burst mode when the running back is on the 80-yard-line — wait until he’s three yards from the touchdown or you’ll miss the end.

Playback Mode (7.5)
The playback mode is easy to access on the Fujifilm FinePix S5100. It is located on the power ring surrounding the shutter release button. The user must slide the switch to the green Play symbol, at which time the last image taken appears. When the MENU/OK button is pressed, the following options are available: Erase, Protect, Playback, Voice memo, Trimming, and Option.

When the DISP/BACK button is pressed, the view can change from a single frame to a thumbnail page with nine frames. When the single frame is engaged, the zoom buttons can zoom 14x to examine the pictures a little more closely. When the exposure compensation button is held down, a histogram and information about the image file appears. Also, when movie clips are played back on the Fujifilm FinePix S5100, the sound plays back via the built-in speaker on the side.

Custom Image Presets (4.0)
All of the scene modes are conveniently located on the main function dial. Many digital cameras now offer dozens of scene modes, but hide them all in menus. The Fujifilm FinePix S5100 is much more functional. This camera has the basic scene modes: Night scene, Sports, Landscape, and Portrait; however, many similar models have a far more extensive array of presets.