Fujfilm FinePix S5000 Zoom

Review Date: 16th June 2004

Conclusion

(out of 5 stars)

This is the seventh Fujfilm digital camera that I've reviewed from their current range, from the budget A205s all the way up to the top-of-the-range S7000, and it's been interesting to see which features have been used where. The Fujfilm FinePix S5000 Zoom is like a more grown-up version of the FinePix S3000 Zoom, with a 10x optical zoom, a few extra features and more professional styling, but it also shares the same 4th Generation Super CCD HR sensor as the FinePix S7000 Zoom.

Crucially Fujfilm have added an ISO 200 option to the Fujfilm FinePix S5000 Zoom - the S3000 only has a single ISO 100 option, which severely limits when you can use it without having to resort to a tripod. Unfortunately ISO 200 is the slowest speed on the Fujfilm FinePix S5000 Zoom, and it is rather noisy, so although it is more versatile it won't deliver the same image quality in terms of noise as the S3000. On the other hand, its sensor delivers bigger (6 megapixel) and more vibrant images than the 3.34 megapixel CCD of the S3000.

Ultimately I feel that the Fujfilm FinePix S5000 Zoom is a better camera than the S3000, without being much more expensive. If a minature-SLR digital camera which delivers images that can be printed up to A3 and has a 10x optical zoom appeals to you, then the Fujfilm FinePix S5000 Zoom definitely fits the bill.

Related Links

Fujfilm UK: Fujfilm FinePix S5000

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