Fuji FinePix S5000

The SLR-styled Fujifilm FinePix S5000 combines a powerful 10x optical zoom lens with a 3.1-megapixel Fujifilm Super CCD, which is capable of nearly doubling the number of effective pixels that are processed and stored. The S5000 also features a movie mode with audio, high sensitivity settings, continuous frame shooting, and a host of manual controls.

Optics and Resolution
The FinePix S5000 features a powerful f/2.8 Fujinon 6x aspherical zoom lens that's equivalent to 37-370mm in 35mm photography and a smooth 3.2x digital zoom. The S5000's Super CCD HR offers 3.1 effective megapixels (2048 x 1536 pixels), which can translate to 6.1 million recorded pixels (2,816 x 2,120 pixels). It also offers 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, and 1280 x 960 resolution modes.

Effective pixels are the number of light sensitive pixels that are actually used by the camera's image sensor (the CCD) to record light. The term recorded pixels refers to the number of output pixels that are recorded to the memory card.

FujiFilm's Super CCD
The Super CCD is a proprietary version of the CCD (charged coupling device) system of light-gathering diodes that captures images into pixels. The Super CCD utilizes larger, octagonal-shaped, light-gathering diodes called Picture Elements (pixels) that are laid out in a saw-tooth pattern. Super CCDs can capture more light information than ordinary CCDs.

The FinePix S5000 features the fourth generation Super CCD HR (High Resolution), which is capable of nearly doubling the number of effective pixels that are processed and stored as additional detail in the recorded pixel file.

Movie Mode and Voice Memo Feature
The S5000 captures continuous QVGA-quality MPEG video with audio at a length only limited by the size of your memory card. You'll get 320 x 240 pixel video at 30 frames per second. With the included 16 MB XD memory card, you can capture 26 seconds of video.

The voice memo feature enables you to attach short audio recordings (up to 30 seconds) along with your captured photos to help you remember details. The voice memos are saved as WAV files and can be e-mailed along with image files.

More Features
The S5000 has an accurate, state-of-the-art, high-speed autofocus (AF) system that makes focusing quicker and more precise. The AF Assist illuminator ensures accurate focus on specific areas in low light conditions. The continuous autofocus feature automatically adjusts focus as the camera moves. The continuous shooting mode enables you to capture 5 frames per second at 6 MP (megapixel) mode, or up to 40 frames at 1 MP mode.

Other features include:

• 1.5-inch LCD monitor and .33-inch electronic viewfinder
• Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, forced flash, suppressed flash, and slow synchro modes
• Shutter speed: 2 seconds to 1/2000 second
• Still image formats: JPEG and CCD RAW
• Exposure modes include automatic, manual, aperture priority, exposure compensation, program AE, and shutter priority auto mode.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 4 AA batteries; alkaline batteries are included, but rechargeable NiMH batteries are recommended. It measures 4.4 by 3.2 by 3.1 inches and weighs 11.9 ounces (excluding batteries and media).

What's In The Box
This package includes the FinePix S5000 digital camera, 16 MB XD memory card, 4 AA alkaline batteries, USB and A/V cables, shoulder strap, and lens adapter ring. The included CD-ROM features FinePix View 4 imaging software, Image Mixer VCD for FinePix, QuickTime 5, and USB drivers for Windows and Mac.

From the Manufacturer
Fujifilm introduces the FinePix S5000 Zoom, a high specification, compact and affordable digital camera with an awesome 10x optical zoom Fujinon lens.

This neat, SLR-style camera will satisfy the most ambitious photography enthusiast's appetite by enabling them to capture close-up, pin-sharp distant subjects. Unlike the multitude of silver-bodied compacts on the market, the designers of this camera did not focus their thoughts on the interior of a handbag or shirt pocket when they conceived the FinePix S5000 Zoom. Nothing has been compromised in the pursuit of optical and imaging excellence - in fact, despite its ultra-compact dimensions, the FinePix S5000 Zoom will spend little time in any bag.

Take it on safari and the10x zoom will truly encapsulate the detail of Serengeti life. The FinePix S5000 Zoom's capacity for continuous shooting also guarantees you can track classic sporting moments frame by frame. It even achieves sharp focus on moving subjects, so memories of sporting events will no longer be ruined by far-off, blurry action shots.

In addition to the spectacular zoom lens, the FinePix S5000 Zoom also boasts Fujifilm's Super CCD HR technology, ensuring images are clearer and sharper than cameras with a traditional CCD. Refined in-camera signal processing has taken Super CCD HR's performance to a new level of sharpness and image purity. What's more, the resulting 3.1 million effective and 6 million recorded pixels can be stored exactly as they were recorded, using the camera's RAW mode.

There are other 10x optical zoom cameras available, but no other camera can boast the photographic achievement of packing such a powerful sensor and optical zoom into such a compact body. The FinePix S5000 Zoom's 10x zoom lens is a real feat of optical engineering, and will quickly lay bare the limitations of the widely-misunderstood 'digital' zoom.

With low power consumption - just one of the benefits offered by the xD-Picture Card™ system - and spot metering to capture complex image tones accurately, the FinePix S5000 Zoom is a technical all-rounder with a lens that excels.

The FinePix S5000 Zoom looks like an SLR, weighs the same as a compact camera and handles like a dream. Give it the chance to perform, and this product will really show its worth. So take it out there, and let its actions speak for themselves.

Features at a glance:

• Fujinon 10x optical zoom lens equivalent to 37-370mm on a 35mm camera
• Compact, SLR-style body shape to give you features and performance without the bulk
• Fourth Generation Super CCD HR sensor with 3.1 million effective pixels, delivering 6 million recorded pixels
• QVGA movie capture at 30 frames per second (fps) with sound
• High sensitivity settings (up to ISO 800) to allow photography in a wide range of situations, including low light without flash
• Improved autofocus for faster shooting response
• xD-Picture Card providing large storage capacity, low power consumption and fast write speed (512MB card now available)