Fujifilm FinePix s5500
The s5500 is a SLR like camera with good manual controls :hap2: The 4 Mega Pixel Offers good quality pictures at 2,272 x 1,704 resolution.
S5500 Features:
=============
4-Megapixel CCD for up to 2272x1704 pixel images
10x optical super-zoom
hyeah:
Movie Mode; 30fps @ 640x480/320x240 with audio
Uses removable xD-Picture cards
15 - 1/2000 sec Shutter Speeds
1.5" LCD Color Monitor
Standard JPEG format or CCD-RAW
Voice memos
Focus assist illuminator for low-light
Single or Continuous AF and Manual focus
ISO speeds: Auto (64-320), 64, 100, 200, 400
Auto, Program AE, Shutter speed or Aperture priority and Manual
Scene Programs: Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Night
Exposure Control
External Power input adapter option
Standard Accessories:
==================
Fujifilm Finepix s5500 Camera
Neck Strap
Adapter Ring
4AA alkaline batteries
USB Cable for Data Transfer
A/V Cable
120 pages manual
Driver/Software CD
16mb xD Picture Card
Lens cap with strap
So much for the specification now let’s get to business. The Finepix s5500 is also known as s5100 in other countries. This is a 10x optical zoom camera with 2.4x digital zoom. The package contents are shown in the pic.
I have been using this cam for over a week now and it has impressed me so far. The LCD size is only 1.5 inch which may be small for some people but the clarity is great and I am not complaining about it. The photographs can be taken in AUTO mode or from any one of the 6 modes; the AUTO mode works as a good point and shoot camera but the jog dial allows the amateurs to explore the real photography world. The camera has also got EVF which is great and also has Diopter Adjustment allowing those with eye power to adjust the clarity. I found this an excellent feature as my dad could take snaps without reading glasses by adjusting the diopter.
The camera can save the images in JPEG file format or RAW format that allows image professionals to take in uncompressed format. The RAW image format take a whopping 8mb for a single image. In RAW image format the ISO speeds is limited to ISO 200. The RAW image converter comes bundled with the Driver CD. In JPEG there is Fine and Normal mode for saving images to the xD card in 4MP mode. The images are of good quality in Auto mode and in Manual mode you need to learn photography to shoot like a pro. Check out the image of moon taken in manual mode.
This cam also features video recording. This is a great add-on for a digital camera and there are two modes 320x240 or 640x480 @ 30fps. The only problem is that one cannot zoom in and out while recording. One needs to set the zoom amount and then start recording. The video quality is good using MJPEG compression. The quality can be compared almost to DVD. Apart from the Video recording the camera can also function as a web camera. :cool2:
The camera uses standard 4AA size batteries. The camera came bundled with 4 alkaline batteries. I bought 4 2500mAH Sanyo batteries, once fully charged these puppies gave me approximately 500 shots without flash. I never expected such high battery life. All this with the camera lens being zoomed in and out most of the times. With flash though the performance was decent enough with approximately 200 shots. Although the battery is great I would recommend one to take a set of extra batteries for peace of mine
The camera has got three focus modes: Auto, Continuous Auto and Manual. The manual picture is useful for taking images of clouds or where one cannot use auto focus. The continuous mode is used for video recording and for sports photography. The camera can also brighten up the LCD when its very dark which i found useful while taking images of dark objects at night. Apart from the normal features found in most camera the cropping option of images is also available.
The sports mode also allows continuous images to be taken next to next with simultaneous 3 images in succession. Good for capturing those fast racing cars. The Marco photography is good with very detailed images. One should remove the lens adapter ring to ensure that the shadow does not fall on the image. The lens adapter accepts 55 mm filters for additional utility. I would recommend a standard UV filter to protect the lens from dust, the digital cameras don’t suffer from UV ray damages.
Sample Pictures:
Pros:
10x Optical Zoom
3-in-1 camera with Camera, Video Camera and Web Camera Function
AF Assist lamp for shooting in complete darkness
Full Manual Controls for Professionals
Exposure time upto 15sec in manual mode.
640x480 Video recording
Great! Battery life
Uses standard AA size batteries
EVF(Electronic View Finder) with Diopter Adjustment
Cons:
xD card format which is costly than others(not a big disadvantage though)
Image stabilization is missing (not always needed)
No external flash addon support
4 MP seems small these days
Visible noise at ISO400
Final Words:
Every camera has its pro and cons. This camera is getting aged and going to be replaced by s5600 which will be available in October 2005. The 5600 will be a 5MP camera. While this is only 4MP don’t let the MP fool you. This is more than just another point and shoot camera. If you are a budding photographer then this camera is a must. You can learn all about photography. This camera will never let you down for the ages to come with its high quality shots. The only problem i found was ISO was limited to 400. The next model features upto ISO 1600 which will make night photography more pleasing. The xD Picture card seems to be a bit costly in the market compared to other card format like SD card. Well its only marginally higher so not much of difference. The Image stabilization is not of much concern if one is using a tripod, also for the price of camera its like asking too much. Great camera costing approximately 12,500 in local grey market. I enjoy using this camera every moment :hap2:
Product Information
The s5500 is a SLR like camera with good manual controls :hap2: The 4 Mega Pixel Offers good quality pictures at 2,272 x 1,704 resolution.
S5500 Features:
=============
4-Megapixel CCD for up to 2272x1704 pixel images
10x optical super-zoom
hyeah: Movie Mode; 30fps @ 640x480/320x240 with audio
Uses removable xD-Picture cards
15 - 1/2000 sec Shutter Speeds
1.5" LCD Color Monitor
Standard JPEG format or CCD-RAW
Voice memos
Focus assist illuminator for low-light
Single or Continuous AF and Manual focus
ISO speeds: Auto (64-320), 64, 100, 200, 400
Auto, Program AE, Shutter speed or Aperture priority and Manual
Scene Programs: Portrait, Sports, Landscape, Night
Exposure Control
External Power input adapter option
Standard Accessories:
==================
Fujifilm Finepix s5500 Camera
Neck Strap
Adapter Ring
4AA alkaline batteries
USB Cable for Data Transfer
A/V Cable
120 pages manual
Driver/Software CD
16mb xD Picture Card
Lens cap with strap
So much for the specification now let’s get to business. The Finepix s5500 is also known as s5100 in other countries. This is a 10x optical zoom camera with 2.4x digital zoom. The package contents are shown in the pic.
I have been using this cam for over a week now and it has impressed me so far. The LCD size is only 1.5 inch which may be small for some people but the clarity is great and I am not complaining about it. The photographs can be taken in AUTO mode or from any one of the 6 modes; the AUTO mode works as a good point and shoot camera but the jog dial allows the amateurs to explore the real photography world. The camera has also got EVF which is great and also has Diopter Adjustment allowing those with eye power to adjust the clarity. I found this an excellent feature as my dad could take snaps without reading glasses by adjusting the diopter.
The camera can save the images in JPEG file format or RAW format that allows image professionals to take in uncompressed format. The RAW image format take a whopping 8mb for a single image. In RAW image format the ISO speeds is limited to ISO 200. The RAW image converter comes bundled with the Driver CD. In JPEG there is Fine and Normal mode for saving images to the xD card in 4MP mode. The images are of good quality in Auto mode and in Manual mode you need to learn photography to shoot like a pro. Check out the image of moon taken in manual mode.
This cam also features video recording. This is a great add-on for a digital camera and there are two modes 320x240 or 640x480 @ 30fps. The only problem is that one cannot zoom in and out while recording. One needs to set the zoom amount and then start recording. The video quality is good using MJPEG compression. The quality can be compared almost to DVD. Apart from the Video recording the camera can also function as a web camera. :cool2:
The camera uses standard 4AA size batteries. The camera came bundled with 4 alkaline batteries. I bought 4 2500mAH Sanyo batteries, once fully charged these puppies gave me approximately 500 shots without flash. I never expected such high battery life. All this with the camera lens being zoomed in and out most of the times. With flash though the performance was decent enough with approximately 200 shots. Although the battery is great I would recommend one to take a set of extra batteries for peace of mine
The camera has got three focus modes: Auto, Continuous Auto and Manual. The manual picture is useful for taking images of clouds or where one cannot use auto focus. The continuous mode is used for video recording and for sports photography. The camera can also brighten up the LCD when its very dark which i found useful while taking images of dark objects at night. Apart from the normal features found in most camera the cropping option of images is also available.
The sports mode also allows continuous images to be taken next to next with simultaneous 3 images in succession. Good for capturing those fast racing cars. The Marco photography is good with very detailed images. One should remove the lens adapter ring to ensure that the shadow does not fall on the image. The lens adapter accepts 55 mm filters for additional utility. I would recommend a standard UV filter to protect the lens from dust, the digital cameras don’t suffer from UV ray damages.
Sample Pictures:
Pros:
10x Optical Zoom
3-in-1 camera with Camera, Video Camera and Web Camera Function
AF Assist lamp for shooting in complete darkness
Full Manual Controls for Professionals
Exposure time upto 15sec in manual mode.
640x480 Video recording
Great! Battery life
Uses standard AA size batteries
EVF(Electronic View Finder) with Diopter Adjustment
Cons:
xD card format which is costly than others(not a big disadvantage though)
Image stabilization is missing (not always needed)
No external flash addon support
4 MP seems small these days
Visible noise at ISO400
Final Words:
Every camera has its pro and cons. This camera is getting aged and going to be replaced by s5600 which will be available in October 2005. The 5600 will be a 5MP camera. While this is only 4MP don’t let the MP fool you. This is more than just another point and shoot camera. If you are a budding photographer then this camera is a must. You can learn all about photography. This camera will never let you down for the ages to come with its high quality shots. The only problem i found was ISO was limited to 400. The next model features upto ISO 1600 which will make night photography more pleasing. The xD Picture card seems to be a bit costly in the market compared to other card format like SD card. Well its only marginally higher so not much of difference. The Image stabilization is not of much concern if one is using a tripod, also for the price of camera its like asking too much. Great camera costing approximately 12,500 in local grey market. I enjoy using this camera every moment :hap2:
Product Information
