FUJIFILM FinePix S5200 / S5600 Digital Camera

Apart from the useless first seller I tried to buy one of these from meaning I ended up with 2 of them I am really pleased I got one. I say this in case someone reads this and sees me selling one and wondering why I love the camera but am selling it.

I bought it as I had an S5000 a few years ago and although the picture quality wasn't up to the Olympus equivalent, it was very fast. I reckoned the S5600 with 2 more Mega pixels more than the S5000 would have overcome this and I would say it has.

The main benefit is the large 10 times zoom lens but at first look, with the lens not retracting when switched off, it seems more bulky to carry than other similar cameras. However, it still fits on the same case I used for the S5000 but more importantly it makes it even faster than the S5000 was.

Some write ups can be a little critical of the colours or fringing compared to other cameras but I think that overall, the pictures are perfectly acceptabe but that isn't the point. With most cameras I've had or tried other than a digital SLR camera, in the real world, by the time you've seen what you want to photograph, got it out of the case, switched it on, lense has come out etc etc etc etc, the moment has gone and you have no photograph or when you press the shutter, there is a delay meaning you you only get half of it.

The S5600 is brilliant for this. If I switch it on, then take the lens cap off. By the time I have got it to my face it's ready to go. It also takes the shot when I press the shutter, not a second or so later.

I wanted it as I had been invited to the Goodwood Revival car race meeting hoping to get some good shots. It did not dissapoint. I was about 20 feet from the track, taking zoom pictures of cars going past at over 100 mph. Approx 30% of shots were sharp, well balanced with the car filling the frame and using a fast shutter setting (still an auto setting) with no shake. Bearing in mind I am not a great photographer I think that this is brilliant ratio and most of the missed shots were down to me not the camera.

Overall, to sum up, this is a great camera for the average pick up and clicker that wants to take excellent shots in the real world where things move and the moment is quickly lost. There are cameras that are slightly better at this, that or the other but they won't get the picture at all because the bird has flown away of the car gone past.

If you are better than a pickup and clicker, don't let that put you off, it does have all the manual/semi manual options as well but I have always found the camera is better than me at sorting focus and exposures so I use the various automatic options.

This is a great camera and if I could think of a goog reason to keep both of them I would. I cannot even keep it as a spare as by all indications they seem pretty reliable too.

They seem to go for under £100 too making them absolutely brilliant value for money.

I hope you find this useful
Mike

this is a great camera,infact all these makes range are great cameras.weather you buy a base model or one of the top of the range ones you will not regret it.best ones on the market for your money!

The S5200 / S5600 is a potentially excellent camera let down by slightly grainy image quality, giving in my opinion, a moderately inferior image quality to it's predecessor, the S5100 / S5500. If you're just wanting to take general shots, then that it should be okay for and a photo printer will do okay from that. However, the noise reduction on the camera can be so severe that very fine detail can be lost. Medium light is also a problem area and a clear graininess can appear under certain circumstances.

Where the camera does excel is very low light and the high ISO (up to 1600) and ability to open the shutter with wide aperture for up to 15 seconds can allow for some very good low light shots. Also, start up speed and the time it takes to focus are very fast in good light, so it's possible to take a reasonable snap shot from a cold start - these factors persuaded me to move from the S7000, which is slow in both respects but gives a better image (though only in good light). Another feature of the S5100/S5500 I like is the fixed lens, which makes it fairly dust proof.

Fuji moved from a normal CCD to a Super CCD that looks as though it was the runt of the Super CCD bunch, when it upgraded from the 4 MP S5100/S5500 to the 5 MP SS5200/S5600. Whilst extending ISO from 400 to 1600 and adding an antiblur mode when doing this, image quality was clearly lost. I have got precision images from an S5100/S5500 (a works camera) that I could use in scientific prsentation. Idential images from an S5600 I could not use and I would not recommend the S5600 for anything other than general photography.

If you want a nippy compact superzoom camera that is good in low light, opt for the S5200/S5600. If you want precision pictures, look elsewhere.

this is an excellent camera.
i am an A-level photography student and bought this camera because of Fuji's fantastic reputation and the great price.
this camera offers brilliant features for the money you pay for it, yes it is a good idea to buy rechargeable batteries for it but they tend to last for me at least 500 photos (if in not using the flash much). The only other small inconvenience, which only someone interested in photography would care about is the apeture range is only f3.2-f8... but i have taken many fantastic photos with it!
buy one :P

All good. simple(ish) manual, camera excellent, it has improved my photographs no end. I need rechargable batteries though as they do not last that long, iam accused of being a happy snapper though.lol

I have to say, this is a great camera. I bought it because of the SLR design, and I was not disappointed by its functionality. You can get tired just going through all the features and menus of this piece of kit.

However, as much as I like the thing, I have to throw rocks - big rocks - at fuji's rather inconsiderate option for powering this unit. It uses 4, yes, FOUR AA batteries, and I got through the first set of 'gizers that came with the unit just setting up and trying out the features (okay, maybe I overdid this). I am now on the second set of cells, but duracells this time, so we'll see how it goes.

More frustrating than the use of battery power is the fact that the recommended AC adaptor will not charge a set of rechargeable batteries while in the camera. It's apparently only for powering the camera in a single location. I find this, quite frankly, insane, and its getting clearer why a proper digital SLR is over £300. But even then, cheaper cameras have AC power units that charge batteries. I am just baffled at this. Anyway, I've ordered some rechargeable batteries to go with this. I have spent £25.47 getting these on ebay, and they are a lot cheaper than in the shops, so that's good - I got 8 high capacity Energizer batteries and a 15 minute charger.

So, while it is a great camera, I think a lot more attention and user consideration should have gone into designing its power supply. This, for me, is a great drawback, and I think anyone purchasing should seriously consider their power options - I would certainly have thought twice! The only other thing that bothers me is why, when SD cards have really become the norm, Fuji have opted for xD compatibility... another £7 spent on a multi-card drive. We'll see how we get on from here.

Got this camera in July 2006 as upgraded from a much earlier model (2800) and was blown away by it's funcionality and ease of use, the 5.1MP is also plenty for the serious photographer and family use too. A camera that's a sure bet with it's 10X optical zoom and movie mode.

Fuji finepix S5600. What a super little camera. Take it from a now retired pro, this is a little beauty. I bought it for my wife some months ago and not only is she pleased with the ease in which it can be used, but also very impressed with picture quality. As am I. I own the Finepix S9600, and I can tell you, I prefer using the 5600. I previously owned a top of the range Sony with a Zeiss lens. I have to be honest, there is no comparison. The quality of the Fuji lens is absolutely tops. When you consider that most studio T.V. cameras use either Fujinon or Canon lenses, that surely must speak volumes about Fuji. To sum up therefore, if you can obtain an S5600, go for it. It will not disappoint. I believe I paid around £80 for my wifes camera and it was in absolutely mint condition. Complete with leather case. Good hunting.

An excellent camera, that resembles a small SLR. I cannot praise it enough, as it produces photos of brilliant clarity and 'depth'. The well-known Fuji Finepix 'F' setting allows the user to choose easily between standard, chrome or black-and-white images. The s5600 also allows a more experienced photographer to play around with manual settings.

I also use this camera with a screw-on Olympus T-Con 1.7 lens, and the results can be truly amazing for a camera of its size. Overall, highly recommended.

disliked nothing with this model. it is a good crossover from taking snaps to taking proper pictures. but is still not over comlicated to use. and price was about right for what i wanted

Brilliant camera with excellent pictures even if you are not particularly technically minded! I decided to buy it because it had been recommended to me by a friend. Really pleased I took her advice.

A camera to suit everybody. Set to automatic and just point and shoot, zooming up to 10x to bring far away subjects right up close.
For the more advanced, choose from a multitude of useful features: aperture priority, shutter priority, full manual exposure, manual focus, three metering paterns, up to ISO 1600 setting, plus many more. Great picture quality every time.

I wanted to purchase a camera for a friend without a computer, we found this one, Fuji FinePix S5200 / S5600 Digital Camera and started to bid. To our surprise we won and paid for the item via paypal immediately as we had got such a good bargin.
Within a while the payment was refunded by the seller but withheld by paypal without a reasonable explanation.
We then had an email through ebay from the seller saying that the item was no longer for sale and a lame excuse for not letting us have it.
We tried to contact ebay about the issue but they are not set up for such problems and although we have complained as best we could have heard nothing. In the mean time we have had a few more emails for the seller protesting about our complaining to ebay despite asking to be left alone.
All in all this has been a problem from the start, the seller in our opinion has not got enough for the item and ont let us have it and ebay don't want to know!

Easy to handle, great zoom, good first camera, step up from most similar on the market. Best to get a big memory card.

This is a wonderfully simple camera to use. My main reason for purchasing it is to take advantage of the zoom facility on it.
I have other Fuji FinePix cameras, but the zoom facility on them is not as good as on the S5600.
With a 2GB XD card I am able to take nearly 3200 photographs (size 1600x1200).
All in all this is an excellent camera, both for the professional photographer, and the 'weekend snapper'.

I bought this camera due to its excellent zoom feature and its simplicity in use no fiddily options that aren't worth the bothering with a five year old could use it wih good results.

i bought this camera when it first came out and love it it takes great pictures and great for a anyone, just bought another on ebay for my son as he loves it, and everyone cant belive that it is only 5 mp.i also have a 8 mp but this camera takes better pictures

These S5600 Digital cameras have a stunning performance. I also have a S9600 but I think the performance of the smaller S5600 is exceptional even using the 50x optical/digital zoon, very impressive but need to hold it steady. A great point and shoot on automatic but with incedible versatillity for the enthusiast

what i like about buying from ebay is simple, afordable quality items.
this digital camera is one that is a must in my field of art and crafts, todate it as taken 2.000 images of top quality that are needed to show clients my work, it is simple to use and the seller was so helpfull and gave me a comprensive introduction to its use. You dont get that service in most shops!
ebay is like one family you can rely on for quality goods, the camera was well priced and will remain with me allways.

This camera is so simply to use , but gives you excellent results, even if you not that good at taking pictures this camera will make photograph a pleasure for all. I have just used it for the first time on holiday and i am very pleased with teh quality of the pictures i have taken.

Easy to use, brilliant results and what's more, it looks like a proper camera. Nice one Fuji! This is the best camera you can buy for the money.

Good pics outside in sunny day, rather poor pics inside with natural light. If I could choose again I will choose different camera, but it was a bargain and a good value for money.
My advice anyway - better buy 6500.

I'm pleased with the camera, it was supposed to be fault, but I could'nt find anything wrong. the camera works perfactly. I downloaded a manual for it off the internet and set it up by the instructions.