Announced in July 2004, the Fujifilm FinePix S5500 (sold as the S5100 in some territories) is an update to the S5000 offering the same 10x (37-370mm equiv.) optical zoom, SLR-like styling, comprehensive feature set and aggressive price point. The most significant change is the replacement of the rather controversial 'Super CCD' sensor used in the S5000 with a conventional 4 megapixel CCD offering an extra million effective pixels (the S5000's SCCD sensor used 3.1 million effective pixels to produce 6MP output images). Other welcome improvements include a better movie mode, manual (custom) white balance control and improved viewfinder/LCD screen coverage.
- Fujinon 10x optical zoom (37-370mm equiv.)
- 4.0 million effective pixel CCD
- Aperture priority, shutter priority and manual, plus program modes
- RAW format option
- High quality movie capture (640 x 480) at 30 fps with sound
- Electronic Viewfinder and 115,000 pixel LCD screen
- Powered by 4 x AA batteries
- PictBridge™ compatible for direct printing without a PC
*Note: The FinePix S5500 used in this review is the same camera as the S5100 sold in the US. Throughout this review any reference to the S5500 applies equally to the S5100.
Fujifilm FinePix S5500/5100 vs S5000 (differences)
Fujifilm FinePix S5500/S5100 |
Fujifilm FinePix S5000 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 1/2.7 inch square pixel CCD | 1/2.7" SuperCCD HR |
| Effective Pixels | 4.0 million | 3.1 million |
| Maximum file size | 2272 x 1704 | 2816 x 2120 (interpolated) |
| Viewfinder | 0.33 inches, 115,000 pixels | 0.33 inches, 110,000 pixel LCD |
| Viewfinder/screen frame coverage | approx 100% | approx 90% |
| ISO settings | Auto, 64,100,200,400 |
Auto, 100,200,400,800 (1MP only) |
| Manual White balance | Yes | No |
| Playback histogram | Yes | No |
| Continuous shooting | Max 3.3 fps (3 frames) | Max 4.2 fps (5 frames) |
| Max Shutter speed | 1/2000th | 1/1000th |
| Movie Mode (Max) | 640 x 480, 30 fps, with audio Only limited by storage card |
320 x 240, 30 fps, with audio Only limited by storage card |
Key specifications
| Street price | • US: $399 (FinePix S5100) • UK: £250 (FinePix S5500) |
|---|---|
| Body Material | Polycarbonate |
| Sensor | • 1/2.7 inch square pixel CCD |
| Image sizes | • 2272 x 1704 • 1600 x 1200 • 1280 x 960 • 640 x 480 |
| Movie clips | • 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
| Lens | • 37 - 370mm equiv. (10x optical zoom) Fujinon |
| Focus | • Contrast-detect through-the-lens (TTL) AF • Auto and manual focus • Continuous and single shot AF • AF illuminator • Area, Center and Multi (manual AF point selection) autofocus • 10cm closest focus (macro mode, wideangle) |
| Shooting mode | • Programmed AE with program shift |
| Sensitivity | • Auto • ISO 64,100,200,400 |
| White Balance | • Auto • 6 presets • Manual |
| Image parameters | • Contrast (3 levels + auto) • Color options (standard, chrome, black & white) |
| Continuous | • Top 3-frame: up to 3 frames (at intervals as short as approx. 0.3 sec.) • Final 3-frame: last 3 frames before releasing the shutter button (at intervals as short as approx. 0.3 sec.) • Long-period continuous shooting: up to 40 frames (at intervals as short as approx. 0.6 sec.) |
| Flash | • Built-in pop-up flash • Auto, Manual on/off, Red-eye reduction: on/off, Slow sync: on/off • Range (Auto ISO):W: 0.3– 5.0 m (1.0–16.4 ft ); T: 0.8– 4.5 m (2– 14.8 ft) |
| Storage | • XD-Picture Card |
| Viewfinder | • 0.33 inches, 115,000 pixels electronic viewfinder • Approx coverage 100% • Dioptre adjustment |
| LCD monitor | • 1.5" TFT, 115,000 pixels • approx 100% coverage |
| Connectivity | • USB • A/V out • DC-IN |
| Power | • 4x AA batteries (Alkaline included) • Ni-MH batteries recommended • AC-5VH AC adapter (optional) |
| Supplied accessories* | • AA-size alkaline batteries (LR6) (4) |
| Other features | • 64 Zone Multi, Spot and Average metering |
| Weight (inc batts) | 480 g (16.9 oz) |
| Dimensions | 112.7 mm × 81.1 mm × 79.3 mm (4.4 in. × 3.2 in. × 3.1 in.) |
* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area
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