Value (6.5)
The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd offers a unique feature set at its price point. There are plenty of cameras with ultra-zoom lenses, but none that flaunt the face detection technology the way this camera does. This FinePix retails for $499, which seems fair if your looking for high ISOs, a 28mm wide angle lens, or an ultra-zoom with face detection technology, but without image stabilization, it seems a bit overpriced. It has a 6.3-megapixel Super CCD (which by today’s standards is a bit short), expansive ISO options from 100-3200, full manual control, and a 10.7x optical zoom lens. This year’s primarily competition for the Fujifilm S6000fd will surely include a form of image stabilization and likely offer more resolution as well, but may lack higher sensitivity settings and face detection. For many consumers, the lack of stabilization will likely be a deal-breaker; however, those who remain interested will get a lot for $500, although $100 price drop would make the camera a much more attractive package.
Comparisons
Fujifilm FinePix S5200 – This digital camera has a smaller 1/2.5-inch CCD with 5.1 megapixels on it and a body that looks similar to the newer S6000fd. The body differences are important though. The cameras have the same tall flash units and wide hand grips, but the lenses are very different. The FinePix S5200 has a 10x optical zoom lens that measures 38-380mm and does not have functional zoom or focus rings. The shorter lens has a 55mm threading at the end rather than the S6000fd’s 58mm diameter. Both cameras have equally inaccessible manual controls, but the S5200’s options aren’t as expansive. The ISO only extends to 1600, the shutter speeds are limited to 15-1/2000th of a second, metering is done with a 64-zone system, and there is no face detection technology of course. Some of the components on the older model aren’t as impressive either: the 1.8-inch LCD screen has only 115k pixels, and the 10x lens is not functional while recording movies. Both Fujis had the same disappointing electronic viewfinder, and the same burst mode too. The Fujifilm FinePix S5200 has only 5 scene modes, including one called Anti-Blur that is identical to the Picture Stabilization mode in all but the name. The S5200 does not have internal memory, but comes with a 16 MB xD-Picture card. It runs on four AA batteries, but uses them more efficiently as it gets 250 shots from alkaline batteries. Its 5.1 megapixels were efficient, but its noise reduction technology must not have been up to par. The Fujifilm S5200 performed okay in low light, keeping subjects illuminated but letting the colors slide. In optimal lighting, colors were nearly perfect though; this camera produced some of the most accurate colors we’ve ever seen. The FinePix S5200 takes great pictures despite its shortcomings when compared to its newer and cooler sibling, and at $299 it makes a good option for consumers on a tight budget.
Canon PowerShot G7 – This digital camera comes as a monstrous 10-megapixel and face recognition technology hardwired into its image processor. The Canon PowerShot G7 comes with a 6x optical zoom lens and image stabilization, something that the ultra-zoom Fujifilm camera missed out on. The face detection technology on this model is equally as fast, but tracks 9 faces at a time rather than 10. The technology does not have a designated on-camera button though; it is accessed in the shooting menu. The G7 can manually focus too. It does not have zoom and focus rings like the Fujifilm camera, but it does have an interesting rotary dial that makes fine movements to manually focus. This rotary dial is also used to navigate through menus and make selections of shutter speeds and apertures; this is a big improvement over the S6000fd’s rigid and uncomfortable multi-selector. The Canon PowerShot G7 has 25 shooting modes including manual, priority, and 16 scene modes. It has a 2 fps burst mode with a longer 6-8-shot buffer, ISO options of 80-1600, extensive color modes, and a movie mode that shoots 1024 x 768-pixel resolution. It does so at 15 fps, but also has 30 fps rates for the more standard 640 x 480 and 320 x 240-pixel sizes. Unfortunately, this camera does not have functional optical zoom while recording videos. The G7 has an optical viewfinder that isn’t very useful, but it does have a 2.5-inch LCD screen. The screen doesn’t have as much resolution as the Fujifilm S6000fd though; the Canon has 207,000 pixels on it. The cameras, however, employ radically different stylings. The Fuji has references to DSLR cameras, but the Canon PowerShot G7 is much more compact. It has a boxy 4.2 x 2.8 x 1.7-inch body that has retro elements and is fitted to stash in an optional underwater housing. It has a built-in flash unit that only covers 13 ft, but it also has a hot shoe for optional Canon Speedlite flashes. This PowerShot can also accept conversion lenses. The Canon PowerShot G7 is much more compact and has some high-performance features along with its 10 megapixels and face detection technology; it retails for $599.
Nikon Coolpix S4 – This 6-megapixel digital camera has a much more compact design with a pivoting lens. The 10x optical zoom lens has an equivalent measurement of 38mm-380mm, which fits nicely in the 4.4 x 2.7 x 1.4-inch camera body. The Nikon S4 is one of the most portable ultra-zoom digital cameras, but it comes at the expense of performance. The S4 does not have manual control over shutter speed and aperture, but does let users choose between 50-400 ISO options, five white balance presets, and a typical +/- 2 exposure compensation range. The Coolpix snapped decent pictures in low light, but had significant shutter lag and a burst mode slower than the Fuji’s slowest burst mode. The Nikon S4 has a movie mode, but it doesn’t use the optical zoom and only records 15 fps at its top 640 x 480-pixel resolution. As far as the components go, the S4 has the same size LCD at 2.5 inches, but has much less resolution with only 110,000 pixels. There is no viewfinder on this model. One of the biggest similarities between the Nikon S4 and the Fujifilm S6000fd is the face recognition technology. Nikon uses a software-based technology that is much slower and doesn’t track faces as well. It also places a giant yellow smiley face over subjects, making it difficult to see anything on the live preview. The Nikon Coolpix S4 retails for $399 but can be found online for less than $300. It is much cheaper than the Fujifilm model and is much more compact.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – These consumers will be fine if the camera is set to Auto, but may start hyperventilating in any other mode. Some functions are hidden, the menu system is split, and some buttons must be held down simultaneously with others – and there’s no in-camera help guide to save them.
Budget Consumers – You get what you pay for with the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd. At $499, this camera has decent resolution, zoom, controls, and even some fancy face detection technology. Fuji keeps the camera cheap though, but at the expense of excluding image stabilization.
Gadget Freaks – These consumers will appreciate the face detection technology. Watching the camera frame faces and track them is very satisfying to gadget freaks. Snapping perfectly focused pictures is satisfying to everyone.
Manual Control Freaks – The FinePix S6000fd has plenty of manual control, but it isn’t as easy to access as it is on a DSLR. Instead, users have to push buttons while scrolling with others and dig through menus for manual control. Freaks beware.
Pros/ Serious Hobbyists – The S6000fd takes great pictures and could serve as a backup camera, but because its manual controls are so inaccessible it is doubtful pros will warm up to it.
