Fujifilm FinePix Z5S 6.3-Megapixel Digital Camera (Silver)

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.