Fuji S5500 - Excellent Performer (Fujifilm Finepix S5500)

Member Name: pmc123

Product:	Fujifilm Finepix S5500
Date:	17/06/06 (97 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cost, features, design, compatibilty

Disadvantages: noise, stabilisation, auto-focus

This SLR styled camera from Fuji is excellent value and a perfect model for amateurs who take digital photography more seriously and want the creativity and shooting options of an SLR camera without the expense.

Camera feels good in the hand rubberised grip and handle just like traditional SLR's. Options allow control over shutter speeds, aperture, priority settings, full manual and a selection of auto modes. Shutter speed from 15sec. to 1/2000 provides a good enough selection for most users. Zoom is excellent 10x optical. I have produced images of excellent quality for this camera and unless you regularly want to produce images above a4 size the 4mp will suffice. Image quality is good, colours are produced accurately and clearly.

The screen is average and sometimes condenses pictures to such an extent they look considerably worse than then are when viewed properly on a monitor. The viewfinder is electronic - so cannot be used if camera is off or without switching from the LCD - a negative to those users liking traditional viewfinders however it does have the advantage of showing shutter-speed/aperature so you can change this without looking away from the viewfinder.

The camera offers a 55mm adapter tube - a great design feature for a camera of this class. This allows the use of all filters and telephoto extensions x2/x3 to the zoom, and also macro lenses which may be necessary if you like macro work s the camera's inbuilt macro setting is average at best.

Tripod mount as standard and XD memory - takes 4 AA batteries.

As the camera is a "super-zoom" compact effectively zoom control is limited to button control rather than lens-barrel focus. This means manual focus is very tricky whilethe auto-focus will leave you frustrated sometimes especially in not perfect lighting or at the far end of the zoom. I would also not recommend using it above ISO 100 and ISO 64 is possible [adjusting exposure to compensate] - noise can be a problem.

The camera is an excellent introduction to the next level of photography and will offer all the capability to take perfect shots in a range of situations and allowing SLR levels of control over shooting. It will occasionally need patience to use due to auto-focus annoyances and shutter-lag however this camera is capable of producing 1st class photo's - I have sold some of my work taken using this camera.

Summary: Excellent design, features and price - a few little annoyances than can be addressed.

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