Value (6.5)
At an online price under $320, perhaps as little as $300, the FinePix S5200 offers a significant value. Image stabilization would make it a much better value, since most of the competition has it. As it stands, the S5200's high ISO capability could be read as a way of compensating for not having stabilization. If the camera actually had stabilization, it would have a hands-down advantage over the rest of the field.
If one ignores the telephoto end of the zoom range, the S5200 looks pretty much like a strong entry in the compact market – good automation and plenty of manual control, if you can be bothered to dig through the menus to access it. Tipping the scales at a pound, it won't fit in a pocket, but it's no huge burden, either. It's a little more expensive and a little heavier than lots of compacts, but for the weight and the money, it delivers a heck of a lot of zoom. It's a reasonable option for users who are looking at point-and-shoot models with a little extra.
Comparisons
Konica Minolta Z5 - The Konica Minolta Z5 is a 5 megapixel super zoom, like the S5200, and is also available for under $350. Its zoom range is longer and comparable to a 380mm, rather than a 320mm. The Z5 has a form of image stabilization, tagged Anti-Shake by Konica Minolta, and it has a unique method of doing it. Its CCD moves, rather than its lens elements, to compensate for camera movement. The Z5 has a maximum ISO of only 320, more than two stops slower than the S5200's ISO 1600. If the image quality of the S5200 at 1600 is comparable to the Z5 at 320, the S5200 can solve the image stabilization problem simply by cranking up the shutter speed. Our experience with the Z5 indicated that the Z5 contains a good deal of noise when shooting at ISO 320, so comparable clarity from the S5200 seems to land between ISO 800 and ISO 1600.
Kodak EasyShare Z740 - The Kodak Z740 is yet another 5 megapixel ultra zoom, and sells for roughly the same amount as the S5200. Like the Z5, the Z740zoom reaches out about another 20 percent, to the equivalent of 380mm. Like the S5200, the Kodak Z740 also lacks image stabilization, but its ISO range stops at 800, a stop slower than the S5200's 1600. However, Kodak’s consumer cameras are very easy to use, and the Z740 can be docked into a printer for a very simple, well-integrated solution for printing snapshots. On the other hand, the Z740 has very limited options for white balance (only four presets, and no custom setting), so it is not as well-suited as the S5200 to a user looking for manual control options.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 - The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5 is one more 5 megapixel super zoom in the mid $300's, but its lens reaches way out past 430mm. Panasonic has been a leader in image stabilization, including it in cameras and implementing it effectively. Again though, Fuji's high ISO may take the edge off the stabilization advantage. The FZ5's ISO reaches only to 400, two stops slower than the S5200. While many Panasonic ultra zoom models have had difficulty controlling noise, Fuji cameras seems to excel in this area. We also generally find Lithium-ion cells, like the one in the DMC-FZ5, more convenient and longer-lasting than the AA's that the S5200 uses. We also like the FZ5's fun features, like its flip-book builder.
Canon PowerShot S2 - The Canon PowerShot S2 is also a 5 megapixel 12x super zoom, but it runs over $400 online. It has a sophisticated optical image stabilization system, with other options that make the OIS an even more valuable feature. The S2 can’t compete in sensitivity with its maximum ISO at 400, and it produces noisy images at that rating. The S2 is a much glitzier camera than the S5200; its LCD swings and pivots, and it records stereo sound for its movies (including the sound of the camera zooming and focusing).
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters - The FinePix S5200 can point and shoot with the best of them. It has fewer scene modes than some of the cameras in this range, but this also means that every scene mode is useful. It’s probably too large for those who want something pocket-portable.
Budget Consumers - The FinePix S5200 is an inexpensive means to get a long lens. Those who are scrimping could get the functionality of the S5200, without the telephoto capability, for less money.
Gadget Freaks - Isn't image stabilization required by gadget freaks? There isn't anything technical in the S5200 to make geeks slack-jawed and impressed.
Manual Control Freaks - Masochistic manual control freaks might enjoy rooting around in the S5200's menus and using three-finger combinations to control the S5200, but other than that small subgroup, manual control freaks can do far better than this.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists - The FinePix S5200 is a pumped-up compact, not a pared-down DSLR. Without image stabilization or convenient manual controls, or the option of using an external flash, the S5200 looks like a snapshot camera to pros. For that, why not get something smaller and easier to carry?
