-
"Much better camera than the reviewer says." on by GregLLL
Pros: High-ISO perfromance, excellent image quality
Cons: no histogram
Summary: Reviewer : "there's not a lot to differentiate the ultracompact Fujifilm Z5fd from a crowded field "
It has outstanding high-ISO performance, better than anything except other fuji's and SLR cameras. Couple that with the camera lowering the flash output (and upping the ISO) you get much better flash pics. High ISO means more oppotunity to takes pics without a flash, capturing atmosphere, and also good for where you can't use a flash. Not a lot, huh? It is unique in the ultra-compacts. A minor revolution.
"Flat, hard-to-feel buttons"
This is an ultra-compact: you can't really criticise it for that.
"lens too close to camera edge;"
You'll get used to it soon and in any case there is no viewfinder, only the LCD so you can't easily make the mistake the reviewer does of taking a pic with his finger in the shot.
"A Picture Stabilization mode merely uses high ISO settings to enable faster shutter speeds"
Merely? What do you mean merely? This is far superior to optical stabilisation because it can freeze the subject, which optical stabilisation cannot. And the Fuji's high ISO is actually usable, unlike all the other cameras.
"doesn't zoom or refocus in movie mode. "
There is hardly a camera that does. An unfair criticism.
"the standard mode looks a little flat relative to most point-and-shoot models. "
But the reviewer just mentioned that it has a 'vivid' mode?!?!? So this is a useless statement. What he should be saying is that the non-vivid mode is much more natural than most other p&s's. Flat indeed!
"exposure problems.....poor exposure of back-lit subjects is unnecessary; all the manufacturer has to do is link spot metering to the center-point focus setting"
This is absurd! Spot metering is supplied as a separate mode because no camera on earth knows the intent of the backlighting photographer. Further: to make it part of the evaluative exposure program would make certain kinds of photos impossible. Not only that but another site specifically tested the Z5fd with a similar strong backlighting scenario and it did very well, also displaying what to my eyes is unusually good dynamic range. And in any case the Z5 gives you spot metering if you want it. This guy just doesn't like Fujis.
"Using fill flash is a poor substitute"
What is this guy taking about? Using fill-flash is how the pros do it. Otherwise either the subject will be dark or the background will be blown out. And because you can up the ISO to force the camera to drop the flash output you get a very natural result, unlike any other camera in this class.
"The Z5fd also has problems with any unevenly lit scene"
Not with good dynamic range it doesn't. Further this again contradicts other site's reviews.
"That's about it. The Z5fd completely lacks any manual controls. No shutter- or aperture-priority exposure, no metering choices--not even manual white balance. "
The reviewer is outright wrong : not only does the camera have the all important exposure compensation but it also does have manual white balance, just no 'custom' white balance (which is consistent with the p&s target market and other cameras of this type). Completely lacks manual controls? Complete rubbish. And making an issue of a lack of shutter and aperture priority modes is unfair as few (if any) of these kinds of cameras have such controls.
"not particularly notable addition to the budget-camera pantheon"
It's true it is cheap, but only price-wise: it is definitely not a budget camera in features and build quality. It is a bargain. And special.
This review is very fishy. -
"The Best Mobile Digital Camera Of 2007" on by mohammadpvd
Pros: cheap for 200, Face ditection up to ten people, 6.3 mp, stylish, internal memory, blog mode, it's FUJiFilM
Cons: it doesn't come in black ;(
Summary: this is one of the best cameras i have ever owned i previously had a finepix z1, and that one was great in picture quality too, but this camera which i got this week has had major improvements in it's Z5 version, will to begin we can talk about the hardware based face detection which is really cool, this is the only camera i have owned that i can actually use it to get pictures from myself without looking at the screen and without being woried that if i'm in the center of the frame cuase of it's automatic face detection. pictures come out noiseless even in a dark room and the quality of pictures are near dslr cameras. battery life is very good. oh and i know this is not part of the cons but i love how the Z5 logo in front cover of the camera lights up in white it kinde of reminds me of my macbook pro its really stylish. BUY IT. you WILL LOVE THIS CAMERA. =)
-
"Very good point and shoot for low light" on by mark_astro
Pros: Excellent low-light performance
Cons: Finger position during shooting
Summary: I find that 6 megapixels is a sweet spot for small cameras: large enough for 8x10s but small enough for reasonable light collection in each pixel. I've been really impressed with the lack of noise up through iso 800 on this camera. Exposure is a concern, but a little experience has let me compensate by "exposing" on the proper part of the scene. Autofocus seems very good. Lens position relative to fingers is an issue, but, once again, experience helps. Battery life rocks! On the whole, I'd recommend this camera if manual controls are not mandatory.
-
"Really crappy deal" on by longnkrnch
Pros: Small and easy to carry around and not use.
Cons: Can't even use, no battery charger
Summary: I bought this camera yesterday, got it home and found out it does not come with a battery charger. How stupid is this? I have a camera I can use, because I can't charge the battery.
If your going to sell a bill of goods, have the sales people that sell this product tell us about NO CHARGER. Heck the store I bought it from doesn't even stock the battery charger. I'm returning it today. -
"Bargain for the price" on by jfraney43
Pros: fast, light, small, excellent menu set-up, picture quality
Cons: lens is too exposed, counter-intuitive "auto" mode, battery life, limited video options
Summary: This is a really great camera, though it's not one for snapshots. I find myself having to thoroughly and deliberately set up every shot I take - because the quick shots turn out blurry and out of focus. But that's a problem of the photographer, not the camera.
The pictures turn out really high quality for a 5 megapixel camera, but you can choose the quality for yourself in the menu. The menu itself is well designed, and the buttons are very well placed in such a small surface space.
My only complaints are the battery life, which is really rather limited; the way the front slides open to turn the camera on (putting it in your pocket may result in turning the camera on and draining the battery); and the lack of zoom when shooting video.
However, overall this is a wonderful camera and a real bargain for its pricetag.
Write a Review
%20-%20Digital%20cameras%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/fujifilm-finepix-z5fd-silver/4852-6501_7-32330730.html&x_breadcrumb=6451:6501&x_arw_bkts=MAD:high_wireless_switcher){kind=small}