Fujifilm FinePix S5200 Digital Camera Review

by Patrick Singleton
Published on November 30, 2005

Navigation
Intro	Testing / Performance
Physical Tour	Components
Design / Layout	Modes
Control Options	Image Parameters
Connectivity / Extras	Overall Impressions
Conclusion	Specs / Ratings
Photo Gallery

Connectivity
Software (7.0)
The FinePix S5200 is packaged with FinePix Viewer, for sorting, printing, and viewing images; RAW Converter LE, for converting RAW images to TIFF file format; and Image Mixer, for creating slide shows on CD and DVD. Image Mixer is more or less demonstration ware. To make DVDs, a S5200 owner will need to upgrade to the full version of the software.

The RAW converter does not offer options for tweaking images before they're converted, so some of the advantages that DSLR users expect out of RAW files are not present. Still, the converter produces a TIFF file, which is much more editable than an in-camera JPEG.

FinePix Viewer is a stable and attractive package. On Mac OSX, it does not offer image editing functionality like color correction, cropping, contrast, saturation and so on – it's just a sorting and presentation program. It can also create DPOF orders, and create small versions of images for email.

Jacks, Ports, Plugs (6.0)
The FinePix S5200 has a USB 2.0 connector for downloads to PCs and for connection with PictBridge-compatible printers. The S5200 can also accept an external power source, and produces an analog video feed for either PAL or NTSC video equipment.

The S5200 doesn't have a connection for external flashes or remote controls, a feature that some competing cameras offer.

Direct Print Options (6.0)
The FinePix S5200 is compatible with DPOF, EXIF 2.2, and PictBridge, writing its print orders to xD media. The FinePix S5200 can specify whether the capture date should be printed on the image, and how many prints should be made. It does not set print size, or specify whether the prints should have borders.

Battery (6.0)
The FinePix S5200 takes four AA batteries. We used it with both alkaline disposable, which ran down fairly quickly, and Nickel-Metal Hydride rechargeables, which lasted much longer. The S5200 appears to have pretty good battery life, by the measure of our hands-on inspection. Fuji’s spec sheet claims that it can last for 250 shots with AAs; 500 shots with NiMH

Apparently, Fuji expects FinePix S5200 users to go with NiMH cells, because the camera has a discharge setting to run down rechargeables. It’s not a feature that would make sense if it solely used disposable batteries.

In general, we have found that cameras that take AA batteries require more battery changes than ones that take a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery or NiMH batteries. Li-ions are generally much lighter and more compact than NiMHs. On the other hand, AA cells are the cheapest, and widely available.

Memory (3.0)
The FinePix S5200 uses xD-Picture cards, a memory media format that Fuji helped create, and comes with one sized at 16 MB. The media is tiny, and priced comparably to SD media. Buyers who already own SD cards may be reluctant to buy a camera that doesn't accept that media.

Other Features (3.0)
Discharge Function – This runs down rechargeable batteries, to prepare them for recharging. It's not often necessary, but when it is, the S5200 stands ready to help, just like a Boy Scout.

Multiple Image Slideshow  – This option creates unusual montage effects.

Lens Thread – The lens barrel has a standard 55mm thread, making it possible to use a polarizer or other filter.