The Fujifilm FinePix S5100 is a worthy compliment to the S5000, adding more effective megapixels to its conventional 1/2.7-inch CCD. The 4.23 total and 4 effective megapixels can create great pictures up to 11 x 17 inches, which is larger than what the average shooter will print. The SLR-shaped FinePix S5100 has a 37-370mm 10x optical zoom lens. The best aspect about this camera is its versatility; with plenty of automatic and manual functions, beginning users can advance on the S5100. The S5100 has a professional façade. Formed in a lightweight medium-sized black body, the camera aims to bridge the gap between the novice point-and-shoot camera and oversized SLRs. This setup provides a great medium for photographers to continually challenge their skills and get creative without having to upgrade to a different camera every six months. The major complaint that I had was that some of the controls were difficult to find or tedious to operate; however, once I was familiar with the setup, the FinePix S5100 wasn’t terribly bothersome. But the noise levels in the images produced by the camera were far too high. Regardless of the camera’s resolution and color rendering capabilities, excess noise destroys images shot at ISO100 or beyond.

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The Fujifilm FinePix S5500 Zoom is the successor to the 3 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix S5000 Zoom that I reviewed back in June 2004. The Finepix S5500 looks very much like a traditional SLR camera in terms of styling, but it is actually more like a compact digital camera in size and weight. Despite its diminutive dimensions, the Fujifilm FinePix S5500 Zoom sports a massive 10x optical zoom which is equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera. The Finepix S5500 has a number of improvements when compared to its predecessor, including a 4 megapixel sensor, histogram playback, custom white balance control, 100% frame coverage and higher quality video mode.

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With a set of batteries installed inside the handgrip the Fujifilm FinePix S5100 / S5500 feels solid and well-balanced, and is surprisingly weighty for its size. The build quality is top notch, with no loose joints or creaking panels. The sculpted rubberized handgrip is pleasantly chunky and fits the hand comfortably. Whoever designed the control layout deserves some kind of award, because it is possible to operate the camera, including almost every control, with just the thumb and forefinger of your right hand. For balance and overall feel this is one of the best cameras I’ve used.

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FujiFilm FinePix S5100 (called S5500 in Europe) retains the design lines of the earlier S5000. The S5100 is equipped with a standard 4-megapixel CCD and a 10X optical zoom, and the external modifications between this model and the previous S5000 are minor. The fit and finish of the camera is impeccable and the camera’s in-hand feel is broadly similar to that of a larger SLR type design. The body is made of a tough black plastic, and much of its surface is covered in a non-slip, textured, rubberized finish.

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One of the first things that hit you removing the Fujifilm FinePix S5500 from its box is its size; it’s very compact and its styling makes its handling extremely accomplished. Rubberised grips on its key handling surfaces – the right hand grip for example – make it great to hold. The 5500’s a pleasing little camera (bar the EVF) that rewards your efforts with nice shots. The AF is a tad slow for my liking and the lack of image stabilization means, at longer focal lengths, camera shake rears its ugly head; a tripod will be a necessary accessory in lower lighting conditions. Overall though, the 5500’s a worthy successor to its predecessor, the S5000.

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