Fuji S5600, S5700 and now the S5800?

martinturner · 2 Oct 2007 at 08:37

I currently own a Fuji S5600 which has been a fab camera. It relatively recently got replaced by the S5700 which from the info I can gather has an increase in megapixels. Now I am confused, have recently spotted a S5800 a further replacement. Does anyone know what the improvements are over the S5600 and S5700, it looks like the megapixels are the only thing that has changed? How come they seem to be replacing their cameras so frequently with such minimal changes?

Can anyone shed any light into the differences. Part of me was thinking about selling my S5600 which I can get about 60/70 for and buy the new S5800, although is it really worth it? Ideally I want a DSLR but monies just do not exist for this just yet.

a1ex2001 · 2 Oct 2007 at 08:59

Fuji have been suffering quite a lot in the digital camera market lately because of peoples perception that more mega pixels = better camera. Which certainly isn't the case especially when you look at the performance of models like the f31. To try and claw this back they have been steadily uping the pixel count but sadly in a lot of cases making the camera no better or worse.

Not sure on the exact details with the 5 series bridge cameras.

knowledge123 · 2 Oct 2007 at 09:07

I have a Fuji FinePix S5800:

This camera is a big step up from my current one, a Samsung Digimax S500, this is a lot more complex but worth it because I am growing in my photographic skills, but the camera was restraining me, both in terms of zoom and macro shots.

Firstly the zoom on this is immense 51x maximum including the digital zoom (which you can turn on and off), even photos taken at this level are pretty good quality. The optical is 10x and very high quality pictures are produced. The macro/super macro are very good and the detail and quality of shots are awe-inspiring.

The LCD panel is a big point, it is very clear and runs at either 60 or 30 fps, at the higher setting it is amazing to watch, it's very fluid, but dark shots seem to slow it down (due to the processing going on, I presume) but it doesn't matter because the quality is still top notch, there also is noise on the image in dark shots, but this doesn't actually happen on the photos taken.

The EVF (electronic view finder) is a joy to use for shots where you need to use it (not really for bright sun because the LCD is fine there too) but personal preference normally sways decision between either.

I don't use the supplied software, because I have no real need to, and I have a SD card reader, so I don't waste battery power transferring the 4mb shots from it to my PC. So I can't comment on that.

The software on the camera is amazing, and has comments for when you use it, for example when using the playback to view taken pictures, I pressed it again, thinking it is a toggle button and would go back to photo mode, but it came up saying 'press shutter button to go back to photo taking mode'. It comes up with details about each mode, which is useful when using it for the very first time. It has many, many settings to it, to suit the 'point-and-shoot' users all the way up to pro/semi-pro levels.

It comes supplied with a very thick, very comprehensive, manual which shows you how to take pictures, and what the settings, like aperture, actually do, with example photos.

The only real niggles I can find are that, when putting the batteries in for the first time, it was a pain to close the battery door, but you get used to that, and the slowdown and noise when taking night/dark shots on the LCD, which doesn't really faze me.

This camera is perfect for a wide range of users and so highly configurable and powerful that it will take some time to get used to all of its features, especially in full manual mode.

http://picasaweb.google.com/knowledge123.david/Closeups/ -All the ones from no 14 and onward are using the S5800

martinturner · 2 Oct 2007 at 10:22

I am a bit confused, decided to go to the Fuji site, and they do not even list a S5800? Could it be that the S5800 is an american model the same as the S5700 UK model? (a bit like S5200 is the same as a S5600?). Cannot find the S5800 for sale on any major UK seller, other than an auction site?

knowledge123 · 2 Oct 2007 at 10:35

martinturner said:
I am a bit confused, decided to go to the Fuji site, and they do not even list a S5800? Could it be that the S5800 is an american model the same as the S5700 UK model? (a bit like S5200 is the same as a S5600?). Cannot find the S5800 for sale on any major UK seller, other than an auction site?

It's only just come out in the European terrotories, AFAIK. Here is the product page on the US site, there are a fair few sellers of the the s5800, google 'fuji finepix s5800'.

martinturner · 2 Oct 2007 at 12:03

Thank you! for all your comments, this is really appreciated!!

Ixon · 2 Oct 2007 at 12:57

Ok the only diffrence with the S5700 & S5800 is megapixel count nothing else has changed, To be honest if you don't need to print at at 8 megapixels then the S5700 will do the job just as good and can be had for around £124 usually 20 to 30 quid cheaper than the S5800 which can go towards a 2gig memory card and a good cheap tripod.

Only problem i find with the S5700 is when using zoom at full 10X optical you get a purple fringe around images thou this can be sorted slightly using a 46mm UV filter and any shots that use ISO 400 & over become quiet grainy in my opinion

One good thing about this camera it's a good camera to learn on before stepping up to a proper DSLR & if you know what your doing & don't just leave it on auto you can get some really excellent shots with the S5700/5800

cyclopopcicle · 2 Oct 2007 at 13:58

Ixon said:
Only problem i find with the S5700 is when using zoom at full 10X optical you get a purple fringe around images thou this can be sorted slightly using a 46mm UV filter and any shots that use ISO 400 & over become quiet grainy in my opinion

where can i get said filter from and how much?
cheers

Ixon · 2 Oct 2007 at 14:07

If you google 46mm UV filter it come up with plenty places to buy one, they usually around £10 to £12 for one.

pmbuzz · 3 Nov 2007 at 00:15

I've just seen the S5700 advertised for £111 on a certain etailers website.
I take it this would be a good buy and a worthy step up from my Samsung Digimax A4 ?