Home > Consumer Reviews > Fujifilm FinePix S5700 Digital Camera - Black (7.0MP, 10x Optical Zoom) 2.5 inch LCD

Not being a photographer, I wanted a camera that would take good pictures without the need for all this aperture and shutter mallarky. This Fuji camera is it. It has all the complicated stuff there if you want it, and also has the simple point and shoot variety for the likes of me. It's not heavy, easy to hold and use, and the picture quality is outstanding. It turns on in under a second, takes continuous shots, the lcd screen is clear and large. The menu system is also easy to read and use. I can even take a good photee now. Thank goodness for Fuji and their technology. It's price at the begining of 2007 was £179, at this wonderful Amazon price and fast delivery, you cannot go wrong. Buy one now before they run out of stock.

Had been thinking of getting this camera for some time as I have grown fed up with the 3x optical zoom on my previous camera. The first thing to say is that for those used to compact digital cameras this camera will seem very large. This means however that the LCD screen is very very good compared with most cameras and better still it has a very good LCD view finder which allows you to put the camera to your eye (much better for avoiding camera shake). I have just used this camera on a long weekend break to London. I am deeply impressed with the results. The camera's high light sensitivity (up to ISO 1600) allowed me to take clear and unblurred photos in the tube and in various museums etc where flash photography is not allowed. This feature also makes indoor photography in areas to big for a flash to illuminate a possibility. The ability to use SLR like manual control over shutter and aperture allowed me to take much much more professional looking photos with for example only the main subject in focus. For the price this camera is great value and for any but a real professional is all you would ever need. One note is avoid buying the Fuji case for this camera as it is a poor fit. Also worth finding a 46mm wide angle attachment for the lens, a UV filter is also worthwhile. Get a set of good quality high capacity AA rechargeable batteries as this camera does not use a special battery pack (I prefer devices which use easily replaceable standard cells).

This camera is excellent and a very reasonable price (have seen same camera on high street for £199.99). I'm not going to write a huge review as most of the amazing features have already been discussed. I will say that the quality of the camera and the photo's are outstanding, and that the software and camera itself is very user friendly. In fact the only complaint I have so far is amazons description of the camera. They state that it is compatible with MMC when it is not, this camera takes, xd and sd cards, so if you need to use mmc's don't be taken in by Amazons description, Fuji are very clear in their instruction they are not compatible. On a final note in its price range you are going to struggle to find a better camera.

i recently purchased the s5700, and i'm quite happy with it, it's a good deal for the price:

pros:
- takes good pictures in almost any lighting
- brilliant macro/super macro settings
- easy to operate
- has a lot of customizeable settings
- long battery life
- nice point and shoot camera
- easy to take care of
- even though it's made of plastic, in no way is it cheap plastic
- it fits in my hands really well. i have really small hands so i have no trouble holding it, and it's not too heavy. it balances itself well because of its design.
- nice, large LCD screen

cons:
- lens cap doesn't stay on very well
- changing the image to black and white in photoshop comes out grainy with a lot of noise
- the AF light is kind of annoying

because i'm not an expert photographer, but i want to take professional looking photos, i would reccomend the s5700. it's a really good deal for the price, if nothing else.

This S5700 slots into the middle ground between point and shoot and digital SLR. You can leave it in auto for point and shoot simplicity or use a whole range of other settings suited to portraits, landscapes, snow, beach, party, museum etc. Plus the usual priority A, S, and full Manual and macro settings. Image quality is good for up to A4 enlargements. In a very compact camera you get the equivalent of 38 - 380 lens, (plus digital magnification X 4, which does degrade the image somewhat). Cables are included for playback through TV and usb connection to PC (I haven't used the latter or the supplied software as I prefer to use my PC's card reader for faster transfer of images).

What I like:
- The price - about a third of what you pay for a digital SLR
- The image quality - the 7 meg is as good as film on standard size prints
- The battery life is good (you can use rechargeable AAs - get at least 2700 NiMH, - easy to carry spares or buy standard AA in an emergency)
- It takes SD as well as Xd cards. Even at high resolution you can get a 1000 frames on a 2 gig card
- The extended control - I can finally get depth of field on a digital without paying D SLR price !
- The large bright LCD screen - excellent
- It takes movies (can't do that on my film SLR!) up to 36 mins on a 2GB card
- Good low light sensitivity - I've got some good looking pictures indoors without flash
- Nice rubbery grip
- When you turn off all the beeps / shutter sounds it is virtually silent in operation
- It will take 46mm filters - suggest you stick a UV one on to protect the lens and improve the image in bright sunlight

What I don't like
X Doesn't include camera case or memory card (has only 27 meg internal memory)
X Still get some noticeable lag between pushing the shoot button and taking the picture but it's better than any digital I've previously used
X The manual focus is fiddly - and not easy to tell when its there
X It's a bit too compact- I actually prefer a bit more camera to grip
X The view finder is poor and not as accurate as the large screen - you would only ever use it in very bright sunlight
X Image stabilisation isn't that great - basically just increases the ISO - so faster but more grainy

So overall I think this is a winning package, it will appeal to old SLR users like me who want the advantages of reasonably priced digital, without having to compromise all creative control. As a multipurpose camera with a x10 optical lens in a very compact package, this is a cost effective solution. Spend a bit more on getting a 1 or 2 gig san disk ultra SD card (other brands may be ok but san disk will definitely work and work fast - this is important if you want to take movies), and you will have a versatile, responsive and rewarding package. After sales 46mm wide angle and x2 and x3 lens are available from the 'bay if you want to extend on what is already a pretty versatile lens range.

At this price you might consider getting the newer S5800 - you get an extra meg on the image and a charger and set of batteries thrown in. Looks cool in silver as well. My suggestion would be to buy the S5700 direct from amazon - at around 100 quid it's an absolute bargain. Go on -you know you want one!