Fujifilm FinePix S5000

This was the first digital camera I had ever bought, so I did a great deal of research before jumping into the new technology. There were certainly cheaper cameras out there, and more sophisticated ones, but the s5000 seemed to be a good balance of costs vs. features, and I didn't want to lay down a great deal of money, until I had figured out from use whic features were important (Start up time, for example, was something I had never considered before). I wanted something "SLR-like" if not actually an SLR, because that is what I am used to working with normally. Strictly speaking, the s5000 is not an SLR, because the is no mirror and no reflex, you may not get the "real life" image of an actual SLR, but there is also no mirror shake or screen blackout. Of course, immediately after I bought this proces tumbled and the higher end digital SLRs are now affordable, but that's the way it always goes. If yo want a camera that is cheap, reliable, makes good pictures, and is a good gateway to the top level digital SLRs, then this is probably the type of camera that you want. On an odd note, I find that when I use it at public events like parades, particularly with the wide angle lens adaptor, people occasionally ask me if I am from the newspaper. I guess the camera looks more pro than it really is. Also, It survived a drop from about 12 inches onto hard tile, with no damage. That's not too bad for a cheap plastic body.

The 10x optical zoom is extremely long. Lens quality is OK, decent Bokeh (for the price). Absolutely quiet. Continuous drive features are good, allows a decent (5 frame) series of consecutive pics. Lightweight. Nice sharp macros. Uses standard AA batteries Ithis is important!) Batteries on ful charge last a long time. Remarkably good resolution for 3.2 MP- punches above its weight.

Storage media is way overpriced. Mode selector dial switches unintentionally. Long start up time. Body is plastic and a little frail. (not too bad though). Manual focus is not actually possible in real life. Viewfinder image quality is nto so great. STRONGEST DRAWBACK!!- almost constant vignetting, this is often fixable in photoshop, but I don't know how the designers let it go to market with that problem. Thus the "3" for performance.

Never used it.

Love the handling, the way it feels and handles like a SLR, specially like the speed in continous shots, and the possibility to stre the "last 5 images" wich i use a lot to shoot Policedog trials. Great picture's, great zoom, fast memory axes. Since i came from a SLR, the shutter lag took some training, but no problems any more, i shoot the frame i want. HATE the manual focus , is completely useless, and the dial wheel mighjt be open for approvement, it happens that you change it's position unwanted.

extreme zoom, fast acces, continious shooting, feels like a SLR

Dial jog is too loose, flash sync would be nice, Wide angle is non, Manual focus is useless

Sony DSC F505 , Sony DCR 22 digital video camers

Had no complaints so far, did not need it

This is my first real digital camera other than the one included in my Sony D8 camcorder.I have been using mostly Nikon 8008 35mm gear to take our tracks racing photos for 15 years. This is a great little camera for the price, has tons of advanced features (Like my Nikons) Menus are easy to understand and manupulate.It has a killer zoom (37-370mm) Photos taken at 3mp come out beautifull even at 11x14 (and I am picky about the quality) Took time to figure out the shutter lag and get at speed racing photos but it can be done either by using a certain camera program or by experience. Exposure meter on manual or auto is spot on and flash photos are perfect up to 20 feet. Photos speak for them self and I have sold plenty with no complaints. This camera rocks!!

Long zoom!! 35mm design, Hi eyepoint Electronic viewfinder, Photo Quality, Tons of advanced features or point and shoot for beginners.

Manual focus totally unusable.

Nikon 8008, 8008s 35mm cameras and Sony digital 8 camcorder

Less than a month old! No problems so far.

First of all I have to apologize my poor english skills. I'm Finnish. So I got this camera from a local postcard company that I shoot photos for. I like the shape of the camera. I can get quite firm grip, although the camera could be a little bigger for even steadier handling. The EVF is very poor. It's slow and low-res, but it must be used because the LCD-display can't be used if the camera must not shake. You can't see the exact focus from either of these screens. The buttons feel loose and numb. The 2-step shutter button should have better feeling in between the steps. The mode-selection wheel and the On/Off/Play-wheel rotates too easily when packing and unpacking the equipment. The zoom-lense is quite nice although it lacks decent wide-angle range. The zoom is too slow for quick situations. Zoom should be manual for quicker operation. Also the manual focusing should be done from a focus ring on the lense, not like it is done now by buttons. What I mean is the operation of the lense should be more SLR-like. The integrated flash should have more freedom in adjustment. I would like to see adjustable flash in a range of -1 to +1 instead of -0.6 to + 0.6. Also a hot shoe for external flashlight would be nice. Finepix S5000 is very easy to use and the ergonomics is good. The buttons are where you expect them to be and they can't be accidentally pressed when adjusting your shooting position.

Nice design, nice lense in tele-range, easy to use

EVF is very low res and the LCD-display is too small to see the actual focus. Manual focus is done by buttons (unusable) Zooming is done by buttons Lack of decent wide-angle Cheap feeling of the buttons and wheels

Wow !!!!! What can I say. I originally went to buy a Canon A70 after months of web browsing. Got to the ship and the salesman tried to convert me to the Fuji. I took the punt (They offered 30 days to exchange it for the A70). Now you could not get me to swap it for anything! The pictures are great, the zoom is unbelievable, quick and huge range. The UI is very easy to use, and it remembers EVERY setting when you power it off! Everything is 1-2 button presses away, no hideous menus. Response is quick, the video mode is surprisingly good and the battery life is long

Zoom, zoom and zoom. Supplied 55mm lens adaptor tube for attached standard filters. Also covers lens during transit so that you don't have to worry about it as is moves in/out. Very intuitive UI, most functions are directly accesible with a button or dial. Absolutely stunning photos plus full manual control (inc focus).

Don't like the digital viewfinder, it is VERY low res, but so are most other I have looked at. The LCD screen is great, so I never use the viewfinder, except in direct sunlight where the LCD is unusable. But the viewfinder really is low res, certainly cannot manual focus using the viewfinder.

Canon A60, Canon A70, Kodak DC265

No need yet, but the camera store offers free replacement if the camera develops the same fault twice.