Fuji FinePix S5000Fuji's latest electronic SLR offers a full 10x optical zoom lens.<<Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests :(Previous) | (Next): Camera Modes & Menus>> Page 8:Operation & User InterfaceReview First Posted: 10/01/2003 |
Operation and User Interface
The S5000's user interface is a pared-down version
of Fuji's earlier and more complex S602 Zoom model. Many exposure features
can be adjusted externally, though the LCD displays must be active to see
the adjustment. (Of course, given that there's no optical viewfinder, one
or the other display is active all the time when the camera is in use.)
The Power/Mode dial quickly sets the main operating mode, while the Exposure
Mode dial lets you determine the level of exposure control. The dual-function
Four-Way Multicontroller lets you adjust flash and macro settings without
entering the Record menu, while the up and down arrow keys quickly adjust
exposure settings in Aperture and Shutter Priority modes. When you do have
to deal with the LCD menu, it's very straightforward, consisting of a row
of subject tabs at the bottom of the LCD display. As you scroll through
each tab, the relevant options appear above it. A moderately experienced
user might spend an hour or so learning to use the camera, but operation
becomes progressively easier and faster as you get to know the layout better.
(And novices can simply turn the camera on, set the Exposure Mode dial to
"Auto" and press the shutter button.)
Shutter Button
Located on the top panel in the center of the Power/Mode dial, this button
sets focus and exposure when halfway pressed and fires the shutter when fully
pressed. If the self-timer is activated, a full press of the Shutter button
triggers the 10-second countdown.
Power/Mode Dial
Surrounding the Shutter button on the top panel, this dial controls the camera's
power, and selects either Record or Playback operating modes.
Exposure Compensation Button
Just behind the Power/Mode dial on the top panel, this button lets you adjust
the exposure compensation from -2 to +2 EV units (f-stops for the old timers
among us) in one-third-step increments, by pressing it while simultaneously
left and right arrow keys (except in Manual, Scene Program, and Auto modes).
In Manual exposure mode, this same set of actions adjusts the lens aperture
setting from f/2.8 to f/8 (depending on zoom position).
Drive Mode Button
To the left of the Exposure Compensation button, pressing this button displays
the on-screen Drive menu. Pressing the left and right arrow keys with the
Drive Mode button held down selects Single Exposure (Off), Top-5 Frame, Auto
Bracketing, Final-5 Frame, and Long-Period Continuous Shooting modes (the
latter in Auto mode only).
Exposure Mode Dial
Behind the Drive Mode and Exposure Compensation buttons on the top panel,
this large, ribbed dial controls the camera's exposure mode, offering the
following selections:
- Scene Program: Offers a selection of preset "scenes" for shooting in specific situations. Scene options are Portrait, Landscape, Sports, and Night Scene. (Note that the Mode dial doesn't rotate through these various options, but rather stops at the "SP" position, and further selections are made from there via the up/down arrow keys.) Night program mode permits exposures as long as two seconds, other modes stop at 1/4 second.
- Movie: Records movies with sound, for as long as the memory card has available space.
- Automatic Exposure Mode: Puts the camera in charge of all exposure decisions, with the exception of flash mode, macro focusing, continuous shooting, and the self-timer. Shutter speed in this mode ranges from 1/2,000 to 1/4 second.
- Program AE Mode: Lets the camera control shutter speed and aperture, while the user controls all other exposure variables. (Pressing the up and down arrow keys allows you to select from a range of equivalent exposure settings, however.) Shutter speed in this mode ranges from 1/2,000 to 1/4 seconds.
- Shutter Priority Mode: The user controls the camera's shutter speed setting, from 1/2,000 to two seconds, while the camera chooses the best aperture value. All other exposure options are available.
- Aperture Priority Mode: Just the opposite of Shutter Priority, the user now controls the lens aperture (from f/2.8 to f/8 in 10 steps) while the camera selects the best corresponding shutter speed, from a range of 1/2,000 to 1/4 seconds. All other exposure settings are available.
- Manual Exposure Mode: Provides total control over the exposure. All exposure functions except for Exposure Compensation are available. Shutter speeds cover the full range from 1/2,000 to 1/4 second.
Focus Mode Selector Button and Lock Switch: On the left side
of the camera's top panel, this button and dial combination lets you set the
camera's focus mode. Pressing the center button switches between Single AF,
Manual, and Continuous AF modes. If the selector dial is set to Lock, the
button cannot be pressed.
Zoom Buttons (Playback Zoom Control)
Located in the top right corner of the rear panel, these buttons control the
optical and digital telephoto when the camera is in Record mode. In Playback
mode, the buttons zoom the LCD view in and out of captured images, enlarging
details.
Back Button
Beneath the "W" button of the Zoom controls, this button backs out
of menu selections without making any changes. It can also be used to quickly
exit from some camera functions. (Such as enlarged image playback.)
Four-Way Multicontroller
Located beneath the Back button and adjacent to the LCD monitor, this multi-directional
arrow button toggles up and down or left and right, with an arrow in each
direction. In any settings menu, the arrow keys navigate through menu options
and selections. The left arrow accesses the Macro focus setting, while the
right arrow adjusts the flash mode (Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced
Off, Slow-Synchro, or Red-Eye Reduction Slow-Synchro modes). When the Drive
Mode or Exposure Compensation buttons are held down, the right and left arrows
adjust the selected setting. In Program AE mode, the up and down arrow keys
cycle through a range of equivalent exposure settings. In Aperture and Shutter
Priority modes, the up and down arrows control the available exposure parameter.
In Manual mode, however, the up and down arrows control shutter speed, while
the left and right arrows control aperture (with the Exposure Compensation
button pressed).
In Playback mode, the right and left arrows scroll through captured images on the memory card. When an image has been enlarged in Playback or in Preview mode, all four arrows move around within the enlarged view.
Menu/OK Button
Tucked in the center of the Four-Way Multicontroller, this button calls the
settings menu in any mode. This button also acts as the "OK" to confirm
menu changes.
Display Button
Directly below the Four-Way Multicontroller, this button cycles through the
information display options in both Playback and Record modes. In Record mode,
one of the optional displays includes an alignment grid that divides up the
image area into thirds, horizontally and vertically. (This is very handy for
lining up the camera with objects in the scene, to insure that your photos are
square and level.) In Playback mode, the Display button also activates a nine-image
index display mode.
EVF / LCD Button
Just above the top right corner of the LCD monitor, this button switches the
viewfinder and playback displays between the electronic viewfinder eyepiece
and LCD monitor.
Photo Mode Button: To the left of the EVF/LCD button, this button
activates the camera's Photo Mode menu in Record mode, and the DPOF menu in
Playback mode. Options are as follows:
Photo
Mode (Record Mode):
- Quality: Sets the image resolution to 6M (2,816 x 2,120 pixels), 3M (2,048 x 1,536 pixels), 2M (1,600 x 1,200 pixels), or 1M (1,280 x 960 pixels).
- ISO: Adjusts the camera's sensitivity to 200, 400, or 800 ISO equivalents, or to an Auto setting. (The 800 setting automatically decreases the resolution to the 1M setting.)
- Color: Sets the camera to record images in Standard color,
Chrome (increased contrast and saturation), or Black and White modes.
DPOF
Settings (Playback Mode):
- DPOF: Designates whether the image will print with or without the date overlay. No matter which option is selected, you can then set the number of prints, or the file to be printed.
- DPOF All Reset: Lets you reset the DPOF settings.
Diopter Adjustment Dial
Just on the left side of the optical viewfinder eyepiece, this dial adjusts
the focus of the viewfinder to accommodate near- or farsighted users.
Pop-Up Flash Release Button
Nestled on the left side of the camera, just beneath the pop-up flash compartment,
this button releases the flash, allowing it to spring open its operating position.
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