Front (7.25)
From the front of the camera, the huge lens dominates the right side of the camera. Around the outer rim of the threaded lens are its specs: “Fujinon Zoom Lens, 10.7x Optical, f=6.2-66.7mm, 1:2.8-4.9, 58mm.” Directly above the lens is the Fujifilm logo mounted on the protruding flash saddle. Just above the logo is where the flash pops up on its solid element. Some digital cameras have two legs that feebly hold up a flash, but this model has a single solid wall that pops up with the rectangular flash element on the top. Barely noticeable between the lens and the flash component are three holes that serve as the built-in microphone. When viewing from the front, the large and chunky hand grip appears at the left. It has a rubbery textured material on it and is shaped like play dough that has been squeezed with a few fingers. At the top of the grip is a chrome shutter release button surrounded by a power/mode switch. Also somewhat visible from the front are the two buttons behind it that are for exposure compensation and drive. Between the hand grip and the enormous lens is a large auto focus assist lamp. At the bottom of the shadowy valley is a tiny square plate with a Super CCD logo.
The back side of the camera merges SLR-like shape with compact-like controls. There is a 2.5-inch LCD screen on the left side that has a Fujifilm logo at its bottom and sticks out from the body only slightly. Just above the left side of the screen is an LED indicator light. Above the center of the LCD is a relatively small electronic viewfinder cushioned with a thick rubber eyecup. To the left of the viewfinder is a miniscule diopter adjustment; the plastic dial feels remarkably cheap and rotates too easily. Diagonal from the top corner of the LCD is a circular silver button that looks different from the other black buttons. This silver button has a face icon on it which indicates that the button activates the headline face detection feature on the S6000fd. Below this are two buttons that look like they could fit together in a vertical oval shape. The top button switches the view between the viewfinder and the LCD screen, while the bottom button magnifies the center of the image by 2x digitally while shooting. The multi-selector is the next control down with its central Menu/OK button and a surrounding mountainous ring. The ring is peaked at the four directions and cut out in between so fingers can differentiate the directions without looking. A flash icon sits on the right side and a macro icon on the left.
Below the multi-selector there are two circular buttons: the Disp./Back button is on the left and the “F” button is on the right. To the right of all the controls is a curved expanse of real estate that winds onto the right side and around to the front of the hand grip. This material is rubbery and textured somewhat like a golf ball. On the right side of the back is a slight wrinkle in the material that adds some comfort for the thumb; there are also nine rubber bumps that provide a little extra grip for the thumb. At the top right of the back, the serrated edge of the mode dial can be seen.
Left Side (7.25)
From the left side, users get a good view of the camera’s chief draw – its substantial 10.7x optical zoom lens. The textured zoom ring looks much like those on cameras of yore. And the focus ring that is closer to the main portion of the camera body is also serrated in the traditional style. From here, viewers can see that the edge of the lens is threaded and the focal lengths are clearly marked on the top and left sides of the barrel. Fujifilm also boasts its “10.7x Optical Zoom,” on the side, and the “Super Macro 1cm/0.4 inch.” On the main body, but leaning toward the lens, is a focus switch that moves between Continuous, Single, and Manual focus modes. In the center of the switch is a small button with what looks like a bowtie on it; this is the one-touch auto focus button. Behind this switch is a metal eyelet that protrudes from the camera body. Below it is a combination of components that are shaped very strangely. Near the back of the camera is a curved plastic door that houses the xD-Picture card slot. On the edge of the door is a nickel-sized half-circle. This circle bubbles out to make a handsome finger grip. The rest of the circle is made up of horizontal slots for the built-in speaker. At the bottom of this side is an L-shaped rubber port cover that is connected only by a thin strap on the left side.
This side shows off the rubbery material that covers the hand grip. The material does wrap around the front and the back, but there is a strip of black plastic down this side along with two screws that shows where the seam is. At the top of the seam is another eyelet to attach a neck strap. Unlike the one on the left side, though, this one is set within a niche inside of the body. The front of the right hand grip shows off the interesting play dough-like shape. From here, the large mode dial can be seen near the back of the camera.
Top (7.0)
From this angle, the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd has a strange L-shape to it. The lens makes up the top of the “L” and the main portion of the camera looks like the base of the letter. From the top, all the textures of the zoom and focus rings can be seen. The top of the flash component is visible with its text: “FinePix S6000fd Digital Camera.” The top of the cushy viewfinder can be seen directly behind the flash. On the right side, the hand grip takes a turn upward. On its tip is the chrome shutter release button surrounded by the power/mode switch. It moves between Off, Recording, and Playback modes. Behind the button/switch combo are two buttons, the one on the left activates the burst mode, while the one on the right adjusts the exposure compensation and some manual exposure settings. The huge mode dial is located at the back of the right side. It rotates 360 degrees and has 11 positions on it.
Bottom (6.0)
The bottom of the S6000fd has a wide base perhaps designed to support the heavy lens and awkward distribution of weight on the camera. Beneath the hand grip is the battery compartment; the plastic door must be pushed in while sliding to the left edge. Once it pops open, it hangs limp like a broken arm and all the batteries fall out if upright. Just right of the battery door is the metal quarter-inch tripod mount.
