The Fujifilm FinePix S5100 is almost identical to last year’s FinePix S5000, the main difference being that Fuji’s proprietary 3.1-megapixel SuperCCD HR image sensor has been replaced with a conventional 4MP CCD. The result is a very fast shooter that takes very good pictures. If it had built-in antishake technology, it would be a serious contender for Editors’ Choice among superzooms. As it is, if money’s tight, this is a very good choice in the category.
Very good to excellent image quality and good performance make the Fujifilm FinePix S5100 a fine choice if you’re looking for a superzoom camera at a competitive price. But, if money is less of an object, consider our EC, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ15, which is nearly as fast and adds image stabilization, a longer zoom, and a lens that’s got an even wider maximum aperture at max telephoto.