Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd Review
(also called the Fujifilm Finepix S6000fd)

Review Date: January 6th 2007

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Conclusion

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4
Features	4
Ease-of-Use	4
Image Quality	4.5
Value for Money	4.5

The Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd is a rather strange beast which ultimately doesn't beat either the ultra-zoom bridge-style camera competition, or the entry-level DSLRs, but still manages to be an enjoyable camera to use. Fujifilm are making a big song and dance about the Face Detection feature, even appending the acronym "fd" to the model name. It's an effective addition, making it easier for the beginner to achieve better portrait shots. It works well in the right situations and is also quick, something that other competitors systems struggle with. There are some limitations to the system, however, which make it most suitable for posed group shots where your subject(s) is standing still at a moderate distance.

Compared with the likes of the Sony Cybershot DSC-H2, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 and Canon Powershot S3 IS, the S6500fd sorely lacks an optical image stabilisation system. Providing a maximum telephoto length of 300mm is an excellent idea for shooting in perfect lighting, but it inevitably leads to camera-shake in shots in poorer conditions, especially if you don't set the ISO speed to 800 or faster. If you want an ultra-zoom digital camera that can cope with indoor and low-light shooting at wider focal lengths, or you're prepared to use the higher ISO speeds, then the S6500fd fares much better than other ultra-zoom models. Currently few other compact digicams come close at ISO 400 and above, and the S6500fd also delivers relatively low noise at ISO 800 and even 1600, with the fastest setting of 3200 being fine for smaller print sizes. The new anti-blur and intelligent flash modes are useful automatic additions to what is already an impressive low-light package. The Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd delivers very good overall image quality - only some purple fringing in high-contrast situations spoils an otherwise excellent performance.

Compared with the likes of the Nikon D40, Sony A100 and Canon EOS 400D, the DSLRs all offer faster performance (especially in RAW mode) and better image quality because of the larger sensor sizes. The 3 shot limit in the continuous mode, and complete lack of any continuous shooting when using RAW, will put off sports-shooters. In addition the RAW software that Fujifilm provides in the box is simply not up to the job. The S6500fd's electronic viewfinder also suffers in comparison, being less comfortable and accurate than a traditional optical viewfinder, especially for action photography. So despite some great, DSLR-like features such as the manual zooming and focusing rings, the advantages of the compact digicam format (movie mode, live preview via the LCD screen, dust-free fixed lens) don't quite out-weigh the disadvantages of this camera when compared with a DSLR.

In summary, the Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd is an appealing camera, but one which doesn't quite match its competitors, whether that's an ultra-zoom bridge camera with image stabilisation, or an entry-level DSLR.

PhotographyBLOG is a member of the DIWA organisation. Our test results for the Fujifilm Finepix S6500fd have been submitted to DIWA for comparison with test results for different samples of the same camera model supplied by other DIWA member sites.

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