Fujifilm FinePix S5200 5.1 Megapixel Bridge Camera

Still a great buy

Strengths: Ergonomics, incredible color and clarity,Great VALUE for the money

Weaknesses: lack of real image stabilization, manual focus capability is not user friendly, battery monitor worthless

Summary: I have owned several Fuji cameras over the years and this one tops them all. We love this camera. I could not break my wife of the film habit until I got this camera. Now I have to reserve my use of the S5200. Man or woman, this camera will fit your hand like a glove for easy one handed operation. My wife loves the light weight and the low/natural light capabilities. This camera takes amazing photos in situations were other digitals just take snapshots or nothing at all. The short video clips are of good quality.

The fact that it uses regular AA akaline or NI-MH is a big worry free plus. I bought two sets of NI-MH's to alternate. 2000-2300mah batteries last a reasonably long time. The batery meters only function appears to be to tell you that the batteries will expire in the next 5 seconds. If this camera had image stabilization and a better manual focus(dedicated focus ring or thumb wheel), it would be perfect.

A Rookie When It Comes To Digital Cameras

Strengths: Very Sharp Images (At Least 4 x 6 pics are) Looks Sturdy Colors Very Natural Great Pics In Low Light Situations

Weaknesses: Memory Crad Holder Hinge Door Appears To Be Flimsy, Hope It Doesn't Break, Lack Of Manual Focus Ring

Summary: Being into 35mm photography for over 25 years, I was reluctant to make the switch

to digital. Now that the prices have come down and the megapixels have gone up, I decided that this camera was the best camera in it's price range (who needs over 5 megapixels anyway? I love the 35mm SLR feel it has to it, easy to grab and shoot almost anything in auto mode. Stil playing around with the advanced features but I did take a night time shot of the Dallas skyline and most friends thought it was a post card taken by a pro, I'M IMPRESSED!! Bought a Kodak Easy Share Printer to make my 4x6s, It's a great combo.

Incredible Camera

Strengths: Real Photo Tec (details in night shots' backgrounds), Anti-Blur for without Tripod telephoto shots, good features, everything thought and rethought.

Weaknesses: Difficulty of manual focusing, EVF not very sharp.

Summary: Well,　I am not a pro but I will try to write something about this camera for those who are trying to decide if they will buy it or not...

I bought this camera after analysing the reviews of S5200's antecesors; S5000 and S5100.

Both were top sellers and every one (or almost) liked their performance. I also analysed if it was better to buy the strong competitor Canon S1 IS. For my need I chose to buy one of the Fujis.

After reading some reviews about the S5000, some complaining and seeing that the complaining was much less on the Fuji S5100, I decided that the latter would be a great idea had not I done more research. I saw that the few complainings on S5100 would not (probably) be in its up-graded version (S5200) and some nice features would be included, too.

In the site of Fuji I saw that S5200 would come with their newest kinda sensor (5th generation). Also it would come with Anti-blur (comparable to Canon's Image Stabilizer) and with the Real Photo Tecnology.

Despite having it only for one week now, I have to say that I am very satisfied with the camera. It was a bit expensive but worth every Yen (I am in Japan, the first place where it had its premiere). I took some shots at night with surprising results, such as those Fuji promissed in their homepage. The Real Photo Tec is really good; instead of a dark and impenetrable background in night shots, you can have a vision of how the party was like. If you know how to use the camera, you can even get many details that I doubt you would ever get with another camera but S5200.

The Anti-blur works fine. It is pretty good to take telephoto shots without a tripod and even for moving objects.

The ISO have a reduced amount of noise even in its highest; ISO 1600. Unbelievable!

The camera is pretty simple to use and the pre-programed functions are very useful with great results. If you just wanna have it to great snapshots, that is the camera.

Even if you wanna have a special effect, after reading the manual, the camera does what you want it to. The features are very nice.

Everything in the camera was thought, rethought and usually you can have what you want in a fingerful.

Cons: I didnt like the difficulty of manual focusing and the EVF (though I dont have much experience with other digital cameras and dont know if it could get much better);

The camera could have more options of aperture.

Out of the cons, the camera is worth for a non professional like me that are begining with photography and needs some nice features.

Some people ask if buying Fuji S9000 would be a beter idea. Need you more pixels, are you a professional (or at least know what White Balance, Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, Metering are and what they work for) and have more money to spend, then I would say that it be nice. Otherwise, if you are like me and just wanna practise with a good digital camera that many people will envy for its qualities, then you dont ever need to think about another camera.

I may not here be able to say how good Fuji S5200 is but I really love it and would not change it.

Great Camera

Strengths: Captures every detail in picture. Great pictures even in low lighting.

Weaknesses: It is a larger camera for everyday use, however I was use to a Nikon 3200 (very small)

Summary: I purchased this camera after my smaller digital camera shutter release locked up somehow. I wanted a larger, more advanced camera to take pictures of my children. I wanted to capability to enlarge pictures for display, which I can do with 5.0 megapixals. After reading reviews, I searched for a FinePix, due to its capability to take great pics in every light setting. I wanted high optical zoom as well, the 10x seems to be perfect for games, etc. The Fuji FinePix S5200 has so many setting options to take the perfect picture as long as you are willing to learn the camera. I had the first set of pictures printed from the media card. The detail in the prints in amazing. You could see a piece of bark falling mid air when my 13 month old had gotten into the flower pot. Every speck of dirt showed through into the picture! And that was just on auto setting! Great Camera.

Fuji FinePix S5200 - Outstanding Digital Camera

Strengths: Image quality, solid ergonomic build, speedy, functional, ease of use, brilliant LCD resolution, price point

Weaknesses: Deserves higher market kudos and deserved recognition beyond the accolades it has already received

Summary: The Fuji FinePix S5200 is THE top value in the present digital camera market today. With it's rugged good looks and snappy, consistent performance, the Fuji FinePix S5200 stands in a class by itself. In an era where cookie cutter models spring about with each passing month, Fuji has maintained true loyalty to photography purists looking for image quality FIRST; not glitzy styled or over saturated buzz term laiden cameras that most all of us have reviewed or demo'd in earnest trying to decipher which model reigns supreme. In physically shooting/comparing the Fuji S5200 with the Canon S3 IS, Panasonic FZ7, and Sony H5; I can state with conviction the the S5200 out performed the latter models by miles. Field tested at live sporting events, amusement parks, outdoor nature venues, indoor concerts, and everyday shooting captures; the S5200 consistently delivered vivid, crisp, clean, and virtually noiseless (even at high ISO's and max zoom) images unlike the above mentioned competitors whom all tout "true image stabilization." Yes, Canon may have a more friendly and feature laiden menu interface; though in comparison to the S5200 failed to deliver image quality which at best were hugely soft. The H5 with it's mega 3" screen is pretty to look at for sure, but if you dispise noise at ISO 200+, then I suggest you continue past this model as well. With it's patented gyroscope, the Panasonic FZ7 may sound like a an industry leader, for which it very may well be when it comes to stabization. But again images inconsisent in both standard monitor viewing and print; not to mention the cheaply constructed plastic body that houses it's elements. One of the worst cases I have seen aside from the Playskool-like Olympus SP500 UZ. Bottom line here folks is should you wish to purchase a true digital tool for most photography needs; the Fuji FinePix will not lead you down the primrose path like it's competitors. Remember the name of the game here is image quality in a solidly built, reliable box; and the Fuji FinePix S5200 delivers with flying colors. If you are lucky like I was to pick up this gem for under $249 US, you undoubtedly will be pleased even further with your pruchase decision. Of course you can always risk it, dent the pocket book, and demo the S3 IS, FZ7, and H5. However, you will soon come to realize that the Fuji FinePix S5200 is the heavy-hitter in the bunch.

Not perfect, but a very good low light ultra zoom

Strengths: good color,fast shutter, image quality at low ISO, natural light mode

Weaknesses: no image stabilization

Summary: I had the Fuji FinePix S5100, which is a good camera. This camera improves on that camera in a number of ways.

1. much shorter shutter lag

2. much faster auto focus

3. better performance in no flash low light settings

4. an additional megapixel of resolution.

I sometimes go to NBA and college basketball games with this camera. Using the natural light (non-flash) mode, I was able to take some very sharp, quite decent images of fast moving players at ISO 400. It also takes ok images at ISO 800 in this mode, but there is a kind of smudging which occurs in some parts of the pictures sometimes. I don't think you would notice it in smaller prints (up to 5" X 7"), but I think you might notice it a bit at 8" X 10". The ISO 1600 setting I would not use for anything larger than 4" X 6" at least when photographing fast moving objects.

For me, this camera is ideal. Yes, DSLR's with fast lenses would take better pictures, but you can't take those cameras into most sports venues. They also cost a lot more.

If you are interested in taking pictures of indoor sports, graduation ceremonies, even concerts, I think this camera could serve you well.

If this camera had image stabilization, like many of its competitors, it would be unbeatable. As it is, it is a great camera for me.

Fuji Finepix S5200

Strengths: Easy to handle - good feel in the hand. Solid feel. Many more features than I'll ever use - but some really useful ones

Weaknesses: Manual focus awkward. Menus complex (but maybe thats me!) Wide angle is not - only widish standard - but wide angle converter is available

Summary: After a lot of research I settled on this or a Sony DSC H1, which on paper I preferrred, having a Leitz lens. However, Fuji lenses are no slouches, so maybe I was just being snobbish. As soon as I handled them both I knew the Fuji was the winner.

I have been a photographer for 40 years, 5 of them professional, and this was only the third new camera I have bought, and the first digital one. However, it has exceeded expectations. AF is fast, and as foolproof as any, the exposure programs do what they say.

The menus can be complex, but ignoring them and getting on with the business of making pictures really works, and I know that there will be times that some of the features will prove useful - I just hope I can remember how to find what I need when I need it!

The controls are well laid out, and the beep to indicated that buttons have been pressed is not too obtrusive. Using my thumb for the zoom takes a little getting used to but its quickly learnt.

For a camera in this price/quality range I doubt it can be beaten.

Fugi FinePix

Strengths: easy to use good fetures for the price

Weaknesses: no picture stablizing feture

Summary: I love Fugi products, I have had very good experances with all of them. The xD card is interchangeable with all digital Fugi equipment (photo & MP3) The camera uses easy to find off the shelf alkily or NiCad batteries.

Finepix S5200 - certainly a true performer

Strengths: execellent image quality, fast response, good ergonomics

Weaknesses: manual focusing takes to long.would have been perfect if this model has a manual focus ring. Shot to shot delay is also higher.

Summary: I bought this camera after carefully comparing the specifications and reviews of this camera vs. its competitions.

For me, what matters most is the image quality. I usually print or burn pictures immediately without doing post processing. I hate doing post processing - it's like fixing the image to get what you had expected.

I actually often did this on my previous camera.

S5200's pix captures the image perfectly giving sharp and true to life colors consistently.

Good image quality is consistent even at low light conditions while competitions will already have noticeable noise.

This camera also addresses the camera shake in a different approach by increasing the ISO. This is the Anti-blur feature which i find very useful.

I also like the camera's power source. It uses a 4 AA battery.(NiMH rechargeable is recommended). It takes out your worry of not finding a replacement of a proprietary battery pack.

Lastly, the physical size of the camera. It's not too big or heavy compared to that of panasonic FZ's.

In short, If you're looking for a camera that takes excellent pictures instantly in wider light conditions, having a superzoom and can record movies, S5200 is a good package!!

Fuji FinePix S5200 Digital Camers

Strengths: SLR style, 5.1MP, 57x Total Zoom

Weaknesses: Found none so far.

Summary: I wanted an SLR style of digital camera and this one fit the bill. It is easy to handle, compact, and has all the power I want. Fuji has an excellent track record in digital cameras and the price was certainly right.

Along with the automatic and manual mode, it has an anti-blur mode that automatically selects a fast exposure time.

Fuji Finepix 5200

Strengths: 57x total zoom (10x optical & 5.7 digital), several image options, movie mode, relatively fast and a light body for a DSLR. Relatively cheap for a SLR style camera

Weaknesses: Xd memory, 16 MB card with camera (I cannot even find a sub - 256 MB card in local stores), video needs some work to convert to MPEG2 (SVCD) or DVD format.

Summary: My first digital camera...I won't go back. After a cheap 35mm, disposables (35mm), 110 and 126 cameras, this was my first "real" (read >$50) camera. Family have Sony Cybershot cameras (3, 4 & 5MP) and I'm very happy with this camera. Much faster than their Sonys (although not near-instant like a film 35mm). Fantastic zoom (what sold me over a non-slr digital 8MP Olympus priced $50 less) and light weight. I tried other DSLR cameras and figured I'd need elbow and shoulder surgery after using them for a few months. This one felt very light but still sturdy. The 5.1MP may not be a top of the line with professional options but it will keep this DSLR newbie set for a few years. Very good bang for the buck ... just expect to buy a few 512 or 1024 MB Xd cards to get the most out of it

Best camera for the money

Strengths: 10x Zoom, High ISO Settings, Manual Controls, Low Light Focus, Fast Operation, Excellent Battery Life, Movie Mode

Weaknesses: Electronic view finder, automatic mode, Histogram only in playback

Summary: Overall, I think that this camera is by far the best camera for the money. Fuji delivers a great product for an incredible price. The only things missing are an optic image stabilizer and an optical viewfinder. The anti-blur mode works o.k. by upping the ISO setting, however, this sometimes tends to overexpose pictures and makes the pictures a little more noisy but definately o.k. for 4x6 prints. For 8x10 or bigger, it is best to use the manual settings and a tripod as there is a bit too much noise above ISO 400 for my taste. The zoom and focus work great. The camera also has an excellent movie mode for a camera. The automatic mode tends to select too high an ISO setting for my taste but the camera still takes excellent pictures. The camera also starts up super fast, is very fast between pictures, and has excellent burst modes. The battery life is also amazing, especially on rechargeable NiMh batteries. My only real complaint is that there is no optical viewfinder. There is an electric viewfinder, but it is low resolution and I really don't like using it. The LCD screen is bright and very clear though so I use it to frame most of my pictures. Overall, I would recommend this camera.

Initial impressions of the Fuji S5200.....

Strengths: Superior picture quality, well made, controls well thought out, handles well, good 10x zoom, tons of features.

Weaknesses: none seen so far

Summary: I'm still comparing the Fuji S5200 to my old reliable Olympus 2100 Ultra Zoom, but so far I like the Fuji better. It handles well (feels good in the hand) and the controls and knobs contain the right mix of features, leaving the many "settings" for the menus. The error-safe OFF/ON switch is especially appreciated as it can be used without looking. I like that the Portrait and Landscape choices are on the main selection knob, not down in menus somewhere, as these selections are changed frequently. Same for the "resolution" settings...readily available.

All in all an excellent camera and worth twice the price!

Fine Pix 5200

Strengths: The best things that i liked Great quality picture Zoom is excellent The photo taken in dark is also perfect (the AF Assist lamp is nice)

Weaknesses: The only this i bother abt is the batteries , i have to buy rechargable batts

Summary: I recently bought this camera i found it was really up to all my expectations

The best things that i liked

Great quality picture

Zoom is excellent

The photo taken in dark is also perfect (the AF Assist lamp is nice)

I had compared the Photo Quality with other cameras like Nikon (non SLR but with higher specs) still , Fuji was best

The only this i bother abt is the batteries , i have to buy rechargable batts

Overall really luv to go around shooting with this Cam

Excellent Value for Money

Strengths: Imagine stablization, 10X Optic Zoom + 5.7X Digital, Long Battery Life, Attractive Packaging, Perfect Local for Buttons and Dials, Great Lens for a sub-$300 camera.

Weaknesses: Weak Flash, Blurry EVF and little choice for aftermarket accessories are about the only weaknesses so far discovered.

Summary: My intention is to look for a 10X-Plus zoom range with minimum of 5 MP camera that will not put a dent in my X'mas budget. And, by golly, I think I have found it !!

Currently I have a SONY DSC-W1 which I love for it's simplicity, size and quality of the pictures. However, it lacks zooming capability. The Fuji S5200 compares favorably with the SONY plus having the 57X zooming capability. Even though I'll have to buy new card readers to accommodate the xD format memory cards. It's worth it.

This is NOT a camera for novice users or someone simply looking for a point-and-shoot camera. However, if you possess some basic knowledge of digital photography and know how to appreciate "shutter-priority" and "aperture-priority" functions, you will love the S5200.