Color (7.76)
The Fujifilm FinePix S5100’s color performance was tested using Imatest Imaging Software and the industry standard GretagMacbeth color chart. The software evaluates the colors recorded by the S5100 and compares them to the ideal colors on the GretagMacbeth chart. In the image below, the outer squares represent the color produced by the FinePix S5100. The inner squares are the error-corrected versions created by Imatest and the small vertical rectangle in the middle is the ideal color.
The graph below shows a more dramatic representation of the S5100’s color reproduction. The circles represent the tones produced by the camera and the squares represent the ideal colors. The greater the distance between the two, the greater the margin of error is for that tone.
The FinePix S5100 received an overall color score of 7.76, which indicates strong color performance and accurate tones. The camera received an overall mean color error score of 7.73. This score takes into account the averaged variance from each tone and provides a quantitative measure of the overall accuracy of the camera. The mean saturation score of the Fujifilm FinePix S5100 is 105.6 percent. The camera slightly over-saturates colors to make them look more vibrant and rich. This is especially helpful for flat skin tones. Overall, the Fuji FinePix S5100 performed exceptionally well in the color testing.
Still Life Scene
Below is a shot of our beautiful still-life scene, photographed with the Fujifilm FinePix S5100.
Click on the above image to view a full resolution version (CAUTION: the linked file is very large!)
Resolution / Sharpness (2.75)
The Fujifilm FinePix S5100 advertises 4.23 total megapixels and 4 effective megapixels for imaging on its 1/2.7-inch CCD. To test the resolution of the S5100, we took a series of exposures of our International Standards Organization resolution chart. After analyzing the images in Imatest Imaging Software, we found that the FinePix S5100 has a working megapixel count of 2.75. Since most manufacturers have somewhat different methods for expressing the camera’s resolution, it's likely that there will be some discrepancy between the camera’s reported pixel count and what the camera will actually use to compose images. We run the test to standardize all cameras into a percentage score of the recorded pixels contrasted with the camera’s largest image size to create a means for comparison. We consider a camera that scores 70-79 percent of its reported megapixels to be “good.” Within 80-90 percent is viewed as “very good” and any camera that exceeds 90 percent is “excellent” and extremely rare. The Fujifilm FinePix S5100 was within 71 percent of its reported 4 effective megapixels. Therefore, we consider this to be a “good” score.
There are three sharpness options located in the shooting menus: Hard, Normal, and Soft. Normal is sufficient for typical usage, of course. The Hard option is handy for shooting small details in macro mode. The Soft option could be used for portraits.
Noise – Auto ISO (1.61)
The noise scores are what make or break a camera for many people. The FinePix S5100 produced a considerable amount of noise when shooting in its automatic ISO mode. This camera is meant for the experienced point-and-shooter, so hopefully the manual setting will be used as the automatic setting just will not due in any situation.
Noise – Manual ISO (4.05)
Luckily, this camera comes with manual ISO settings. We tested the noise level at each rating with our Imatest Imaging Software. We entered the results into a regression analysis and determined the overall manual noise score to be 4.05. While this is better than its automatic noise level, this is still quite noisy. The graph below shows the results; the horizontal axis plots the ISO ratings and the vertical axis depicts the noise.
Speed / Timing
Start-up to First shot (5.89)
Switch the power on, relax, and take some time for yourself. The Fujifilm FinePix S5100 takes 4.11 seconds to start up and take its first shot. Once the power is switched on, the lens protrudes and a startup image appears with the word “FinePix.” When the show’s over, nearly 5 seconds later, the user can record an image.
Shot to shot (8.81)
In the normal shooting mode, the S5100 takes 1.19 seconds between each shot. In the continuous shooting mode, it takes only 0.28 seconds between images. However, the continuous modes shoot four frames and then take several seconds to write to the memory card. Just a note: users cannot shoot RAW image files in continuous shooting mode.
Shutter to shot (8.38)
From the time the shutter release button is pressed to the exposure, 0.31 seconds go by. This is minimal lag time between the action of the user and the camera’s response, reducing the possibility of unwanted movement from appearing in the captured image.
