Testing / Performance

The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd underwent the same color test we perform on every digital camera that comes through our office. We tested the camera by photographing a GretagMacbeth color chart and uploading the images into Imatest Imaging Software. The software analyzed the pictures taken by the S6000fd and compared them with the original chart, which is made up of 24 different color tiles. Below is a modified GretagMacbeth chart that shows the original colors in the vertical rectangles of each tile. The outer square shows the colors produced by the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd, and the inner square is the exposure-corrected ideal.

The 24 colors on the chart are plotted on a graph below to show just how accurate each color is. The squares are the ideal colors of the GretagMacbeth chart. The circles represent the colors produced by the S6000fd. The cameras that produce gorgeous, accurate colors show only circles. Cameras that aren't quite so accurate show lines between the two shapes.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of lines tethering almost all of the colored shapes. This is a very different result than the Fujifilm FinePix S5200, which produced nearly spot-on colors and came out with an impressive 10.34 overall score. The new S6000fd didn't fare nearly as well: it under-saturated colors by about 7 percent and had a mean color error of 8.92. This works out to a disappointing 6.73 overall color score.

Still Life Scene

Below is a shot of our delightfully colorful still life scene, recorded with the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd.

Click on the shot above to view the full resolution file.

Resolution/Sharpness (6.01)

Equipped with a 1/1.7-inch 6th generation Super CCD-HR and 2nd generation RP Processor, Fujifilm advertises 6.3 megapixels on its FinePix S6000fd. We tested the sharpness of the lens and optical system by capturing a series of images of an industry standard resolution chart. After trying several focal lengths and aperture settings, we found the lens’ "sweet spot" to be at 19mm and f/4. Below is the sharpest picture we could get, taken using these settings.

The full-resolution file is linked, and if readers open and view it they will find a very clean image. Even many of the thinnest lines are distinguishable, and there isn't any major distortion to speak of. Imatest analyzed the sharpest shot better than our naked eye can, so let's let the quantitative results speak. The software program output results in units of line widths per picture height (lw/ph), which measures how many thin black and white lines could theoretically fit across the frame in both directions and also determines the amount of in-camera sharpening imposed on the images.

In the horizontal direction, the camera can resolve 2335 lw/ph – although it does so with a massive amount of in-camera sharpening. The S6000fd over-sharpens by 20.5 percent horizontally and 15.7 percent vertically. In the vertical direction, this FinePix reads 2222 lw/ph. This is very similar to the FinePix F10's results of 2337 lw/ph horizontally and 2019 lw/ph vertically. Both Fujifilm digital cameras have 6.3 megapixels, although the CCD sizes are slightly different. The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd produced excellent resolution and sharp shots, so it earned an impressive 6.01 overall resolution score. However, these shots are heavily processed within the camera and wont hold up to much sharpening post-capture. Fortunately, there’s enough detail present that most users will be content with the resulting JPEGS.

Noise – Auto ISO(4.48)

The Fujifilm S-series cameras continue to improve in this area. The S5100 received an overall score of 1.61 in this test. The S5200 got a 3.55 result. And now the S6000fd produced a 4.48 mark. The Fuji S6000fd metered the scene well and produced the same amount of noise that is found at the manual ISO 100 setting. That amount of noise, however, was perhaps more than it should have been. The noise reduction system doesn't really kick in until the higher sensitivities are reached, so the ISO 100 noise level is relatively unimpressive.

Noise – Manual ISO (9.03)

Most current Fujifilm FinePix digital cameras offer more sensitivity options than the majority of competing manufacturers. That is certainly true with the S6000fd, which has manual settings from 100-3200 at full resolution. We tested the noise level at each of these settings and plotted it on the chart below. It shows the settings on the horizontal axis and the noise on the vertical axis.

There is about the same amount of noise at the ISO 100 setting on both the S5200 and S6000fd digital cameras. This level is more than what we'd prefer to see, but is still decent. From there, the S6000fd outperforms its S5200 sibling. The new camera has a second generation RP processor that is better fitted to noise suppression; its new technology seems to work, as the camera's ISO 1600 setting produces significantly less noise than the S5200 did. The S6000fd's 1600 setting is impressive, and the inclusion of a 3200 ISO setting is a feat in itself. The noise reduction system sure works hard at the higher settings, and it is visible in the pictures. Images tend to be highly contrasty with a loss of detail at the upper end of the ISO range. For its fine performance, the Fuji FinePix S6000fd received a 9.03 overall manual ISO noise score.

Low Light(6.75)

This digital camera is fitted with all the right components to shoot in low light. It has an extensive manual ISO range, a heavy noise reduction system, and manual shutter control. We tested the S6000fd by photographing the color chart in dim lighting conditions of 60, 30, 15, and 5 lux. The 60 lux test is similar to the lighting in a softly lit living room after dusk. The 30 lux test is about the amount of light from a 40-watt bulb. And the last two tests are quite dark and will hardly be situations for photographing in. The charts are pictured below.

The manual and shutter priority modes make low light shooting simple. An exposure scale appears at the bottom of the display; it turns color when the correct exposure is hit. The only problem with this scale is that there are no numbers; it's just a blank horizontal line.

Low light shots taken with the S6000fd are nicely exposed and colors aren't too terrible. Sure, color accuracy wanes and saturation grows as the shutter speed is increased – but it's really not too bad at all. As is usual, noise levels increase as the shutter is left open longer too. Below is a chart showing just how much noise creeps into images with longer exposures; the horizontal axis displays the exposure time and the vertical axis shows the noise.

The noise creeps steadily upwards, but this climb isn't nearly as steep as many cameras and there is certainly much less noise than in the Fuji S5200's pictures. Low light images are nearly flawless with the ISO 800 setting, and are still decent when using ISO 1600, although, at the top ISO 3200 setting, low light images look pretty awful. Low light shots can look great, though, if photographers keep the ISO below 1600 and manually control the white balance too.

Speed/Timing
Startup to First Shot (7.74)

The Fujifilm S6000fd took 2.25 seconds to start up and take a shot in our tests. That's a significant delay, long enough to make a difference between getting shots and missing them. Comparable cameras clock in at about the same speed – the Canon S3 IS turned in a 2.4-second time. Still, it's important to turn on the S6000fd ahead of time to get candid shots.

Shot to Shot (8.75)

The Fujifilm S6000fd offers three burst modes: Top 3, Last 3 and Long Period. Top 3 and Last 3 each shoot at 3.3 frames a second, which is quick for a compact camera, and faster than many entry-level DSLRs. The problem is that they only save 3 images at a burst, which compares poorly with competing cameras, and limits the usefulness of a burst mode in the first place – a 3-frame sequence won't tell the story of a sports play, or a bouquet toss, et cetera. The Long Period burst mode takes images at a rate of 1 frame every 2 seconds, but it will take them until the memory card is full.

It seems as though the 3 modes cover the bases, but they don't, really. When it's fast, the S6000fd doesn't have a long enough burst to be useful, and when it has a long burst, it's not fast enough to be called a burst.

Shutter to shot (8.28)

The Fujifilm S6000fd takes 0.36 seconds to record a shot after the shutter release is pressed, which is a long lag. It's too long for much sports or wildlife photography, and will be a disadvantage in candid shooting as well. Pre-focusing will speed up performance, but that's not always possible. With moving subjects, particularly at the telephoto end of the zoom range, a subject can move out of focus in the time it takes the S6000fd to shoot.

Physical Tour

Front(7.25)

From the front of the camera, the huge lens dominates the right side of the camera. Around the outer rim of the threaded lens are its specs: "Fujinon Zoom Lens, 10.7x Optical, f=6.2-66.7mm, 1:2.8-4.9, 58mm." Directly above the lens is the Fujifilm logo mounted on the protruding flash saddle. Just above the logo is where the flash pops up on its solid element. Some digital cameras have two legs that feebly hold up a flash, but this model has a single solid wall that pops up with the rectangular flash element on the top. Barely noticeable between the lens and the flash component are three holes that serve as the built-in microphone. When viewing from the front, the large and chunky hand grip appears at the left. It has a rubbery textured material on it and is shaped like play dough that has been squeezed with a few fingers. At the top of the grip is a chrome shutter release button surrounded by a power/mode switch. Also somewhat visible from the front are the two buttons behind it that are for exposure compensation and drive. Between the hand grip and the enormous lens is a large auto focus assist lamp. At the bottom of the shadowy valley is a tiny square plate with a Super CCD logo.

Back (7.25)

The back side of the camera merges SLR-like shape with compact-like controls. There is a 2.5-inch LCD screen on the left side that has a Fujifilm logo at its bottom and sticks out from the body only slightly. Just above the left side of the screen is an LED indicator light. Above the center of the LCD is a relatively small electronic viewfinder cushioned with a thick rubber eyecup. To the left of the viewfinder is a miniscule diopter adjustment; the plastic dial feels remarkably cheap and rotates too easily. Diagonal from the top corner of the LCD is a circular silver button that looks different from the other black buttons. This silver button has a face icon on it which indicates that the button activates the headline face detection feature on the S6000fd. Below this are two buttons that look like they could fit together in a vertical oval shape. The top button switches the view between the viewfinder and the LCD screen, while the bottom button magnifies the center of the image by 2x digitally while shooting. The multi-selector is the next control down with its central Menu/OK button and a surrounding mountainous ring. The ring is peaked at the four directions and cut out in between so fingers can differentiate the directions without looking. A flash icon sits on the right side and a macro icon on the left.

Below the multi-selector there are two circular buttons: the Disp./Back button is on the left and the "F" button is on the right. To the right of all the controls is a curved expanse of real estate that winds onto the right side and around to the front of the hand grip. This material is rubbery and textured somewhat like a golf ball. On the right side of the back is a slight wrinkle in the material that adds some comfort for the thumb; there are also nine rubber bumps that provide a little extra grip for the thumb. At the top right of the back, the serrated edge of the mode dial can be seen.

Left Side(7.25)

From the left side, users get a good view of the camera’s chief draw – its substantial 10.7x optical zoom lens. The textured zoom ring looks much like those on cameras of yore. And the focus ring that is closer to the main portion of the camera body is also serrated in the traditional style. From here, viewers can see that the edge of the lens is threaded and the focal lengths are clearly marked on the top and left sides of the barrel. Fujifilm also boasts its "10.7x Optical Zoom," on the side, and the "Super Macro 1cm/0.4 inch." On the main body, but leaning toward the lens, is a focus switch that moves between Continuous, Single, and Manual focus modes. In the center of the switch is a small button with what looks like a bowtie on it; this is the one-touch auto focus button. Behind this switch is a metal eyelet that protrudes from the camera body. Below it is a combination of components that are shaped very strangely. Near the back of the camera is a curved plastic door that houses the xD-Picture card slot. On the edge of the door is a nickel-sized half-circle. This circle bubbles out to make a handsome finger grip. The rest of the circle is made up of horizontal slots for the built-in speaker. At the bottom of this side is an L-shaped rubber port cover that is connected only by a thin strap on the left side.

Right Side(7.0)

This side shows off the rubbery material that covers the hand grip. The material does wrap around the front and the back, but there is a strip of black plastic down this side along with two screws that shows where the seam is. At the top of the seam is another eyelet to attach a neck strap. Unlike the one on the left side, though, this one is set within a niche inside of the body. The front of the right hand grip shows off the interesting play dough-like shape. From here, the large mode dial can be seen near the back of the camera.

Top (7.0)

From this angle, the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd has a strange L-shape to it. The lens makes up the top of the "L" and the main portion of the camera looks like the base of the letter. From the top, all the textures of the zoom and focus rings can be seen. The top of the flash component is visible with its text: "FinePix S6000fd Digital Camera." The top of the cushy viewfinder can be seen directly behind the flash. On the right side, the hand grip takes a turn upward. On its tip is the chrome shutter release button surrounded by the power/mode switch. It moves between Off, Recording, and Playback modes. Behind the button/switch combo are two buttons, the one on the left activates the burst mode, while the one on the right adjusts the exposure compensation and some manual exposure settings. The huge mode dial is located at the back of the right side. It rotates 360 degrees and has 11 positions on it.

 

Bottom (6.0)

The bottom of the S6000fd has a wide base perhaps designed to support the heavy lens and awkward distribution of weight on the camera. Beneath the hand grip is the battery compartment; the plastic door must be pushed in while sliding to the left edge. Once it pops open, it hangs limp like a broken arm and all the batteries fall out if upright. Just right of the battery door is the metal quarter-inch tripod mount.

Components

Viewfinder (5.0)

The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd has an electronic viewfinder, but its resolution is so poor that no one will want to use it. The 0.33-inch viewfinder has only 115,000 pixels. The component itself is very comfortable with a rubber eyecup that protrudes enough to keep noses from rubbing the LCD screen below. On the left side of the viewfinder is a diopter adjustment that takes some force to rotate. Once users put enough elbow grease on to move the dial, it stops at eight positions. As it is rotated, users can see the glass element move just inside the viewfinder window – and can definitely tell the difference as it blurs and focuses to users’ eyeglass prescriptions. In general, viewfinders are a good idea in bright outdoor light when it’s hard to see the LCD screen. I tested this at an outdoor concert on a sunny day. Sure enough, it was hard to see anything on the LCD because of the glare. But when I switched the view to the viewfinder (using the convenient EVF/LCD button), the contrast was good but the resolution was so poor that I was still shooting blindly. I aimed the S6000fd at the stage and the singer’s face made up about four pixels; there’s no way I could tell if he was in focus or not. Overall, the electronic viewfinder has a plush component but still makes a terrible viewing device.

LCD Screen(7.5)

This camera has a 2.5-inch LCD screen that is framed in black with a white Fujifilm logo at the bottom and is set beneath a protective glass sheet. This surface won’t be easily scratched, but it doesn’t make viewing easy either. The glass catches glare from strong lighting, so it’s nearly impossible to shoot outdoors when the sun is up. The amorphous silicon TFT LCD has great resolution at 235,000 pixels and a refresh rate that can be set to the standard 30 fps or the above average 60 fps. These features make the view on the LCD screen very smooth. The screen is accurate too, with its image showing 100 percent of what is recorded. The view can be switched from the electronic viewfinder to the LCD screen with a push of the button to the right of the screen. Just below that control is another button that has a magnifying glass icon on it; it magnifies the center of the live preview by 2x digitally so users can better see what they’re focusing on (if it’s in the center).

 The display information on the LCD can be changed with the Disp/Back button to show a blank screen, file information, file information with a "rule of thirds" grid, and a blank live preview on the right side of the screen with the last 3 pictures taken on the left side. The LCD screen’s brightness can be changed to +/- 5 in full steps in the setup menu, although this doesn’t make it any easier to view in bright daylight. The screen catches glare from all angles, and solarizes at extreme vertical angles (held above or below the head). The screen’s brightness can also be boosted by pushing the exposure compensation while simultaneously pushing the Disp/Back button; this function certainly isn’t described on the camera body, so unfortunately only those who delve into the user manual or this review will know about this function. Overall, the LCD’s resolution and features are impressive and make it one of the best viewers on the market for indoor shooting. Once the S6000fd is under the sun though, the value of the LCD screen goes way down.

Flash (7.75)

The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd has a flash unit directly above the lens that pops up when called upon from the right side of the multi-selector. The following flash modes are available from there: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, On, Off, Slow Synchro, and Red-eye Reduction & Slow Synchro. The red-eye reduction modes fire one very distinct preflash before a quick series and the final flash; this worked well. When the flash was forced on without the red-eye reduction, several of my pictures showed up with red eyes – so don’t forget to activate it!

The built-in flash cannot be manually pulled upward, the camera must release it with a latch that is hidden beneath the closed component. This setup is supposed to keep photographers’ hands where they should be supporting the camera rather than fidgeting with the flash. However, the first picture captured with the flash will take a little extra time because it takes about a half-second for the flash to pop up and boot up for the shot. The only way to avoid this lag is to snap a throw-away shot and get the flash unit popped open long before it is actually needed.

Fujifilm calls this flash system i-Flash, or Intelligent Flash. The system purportedly measures the amount of lighting both on the subject and in the background; it then adjusts the flash output in order to retain details in the background and on the subject. This system worked especially well with portraits, keeping the background lit while also keeping skin tones on the face vibrant and properly exposed. The flash output can also be manually adjusted +/- 2/3 in steps of a third within the recording menu. The difference is definitely noticeable between these steps. The S6000fd’s flash reaches from 1-18.4 ft in wide and 2-9.8 ft in telephoto using the automatic ISO setting. Using the high sensitivity option of ISO 1600, the flash is effective from 2-27.2 ft in wide and 6.6-15.1 ft in telephoto. This is an exceptionally good range and since the flash unit stands so tall above the lens when opened, the flash is effective from very close to very far away. This allows flash photography for everything from that macro shot of Beatles records for the online auction to the faraway family portrait with spouses and grandkids included.

The FinePix S6000fd has a dual shot mode called Natural Light & With Flash that snaps two pictures in a burst, the latter firing the flash. This saves time for users who aren’t sure whether to use the flash. When taken, the pictures are displayed next to each other for a few moments. Both are saved, so users can pick and choose later. The only caveat to this mode is that it is hidden in a menu when the Natural Light position on the mode dial is engaged.

Zoom Lens(7.25)

The S6000fd has a large lens on its front with 10.7x of optical zooming capability. The Fujinon lens has focal lengths from 6.2-66.7mm, which is equivalent to a 28mm-300mm lens in 35mm format. The lens barrel is large with a 58mm filter diameter threading at the end. Currently, the only conversion lens available for fitting onto the S6000fd is a 0.8x wide lens equivalent to 22.4mm. Most consumers won’t need this though, as the camera’s lens is considerably wide alone. The long lens has wide apertures of f/2.8 in wide and f/4.9 in telephoto.

The lens is controlled by the zoom and focus rings on the barrel itself; the zoom ring is very wide and textured with tiny rubber pyramid-like structures. The focus ring has the typical lined edge seen on most interchangeable lenses. Indeed, the Fujinon 10.7x zoom lens looks like it could be taken off and stored. That is not the case though; it remains fixed to the camera body. The zoom ring setup is great for making very fast changes with great accuracy. And because there is no motor to move the lens, there is no motor noise like on many compact cameras with zoom lenses. The ringed setup has its drawbacks though, mainly in the movie mode.

The lens is fully functional while recording movies, but it is difficult to smoothly rotate the zoom ring without going too fast and making viewers ill. The major problem with the lens, and by extension, the camera, is the lack of image stabilization. Without a stabilization system, users will have to be skilled and keep their hands steady when shooting anything in telephoto mode – especially movies. On this camera, this is all but inexcusable, as the rest of the industry is beginning to view some form of stabilization (beyond higher sensitivity settings) as a standard on long zoom cameras.

Overall, the Fujinon 10.7x optical zoom lens is a great feature to have around, but lacks the essential component that nearly all of its competitors carry – image stabilization.  

Design / Layout

Model Design / Appearance(6.25)

The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd wants to be a DSLR with its chunky shape, large lens with zoom and focus rings, cushy viewfinder, and black colored housing. It doesn’t cost as much as a DSLR, so there are some shortcuts: the lens cannot be interchanged, the viewfinder is electronic instead of optical, and the housing is constructed from plastic in lieu of sturdier material. So while the S6000fd is designed to look and feel like a DSLR, it still has a ways to go.

Size / Portability(7.0)

In terms of its size, the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd is similar to low-end DSLRs that tend to be more compact than larger, more durable single lens reflex designs. The FinePix measures 5.2 inches across and 3.8 inches to its tallest point. From the back to the front tip of the lens, the camera measures 5 inches. The lens barrel doesn’t telescope into the body, so this measurement is considerably larger than most cameras. The weight is similar to a DSLR too at 23.3 ounces including the four AA batteries and tiny xD-Picture card. The large and chunky ultra-zoom digital camera will definitely require the included neck strap. The neck strap isn’t very high-quality; the material is thin in terms of its flimsiness and in terms of width. The Fujifilm S6000fd is a hefty camera that will necessitate a separate camera bag for transportation.

Handling Ability (6.5)

This digital camera has the shape of an SLR but still doesn’t feel or handle quite like one. The S6000fd has a chunky hand grip with sticky rubber material wrapped around it. On the front of the grip are two ditches where fingers comfortably rest. On the back are nine bumps where the thumb rests. The zoom and focus rings around the lens provide texture for better handling, and the base of the camera is incredibly large. The large bottom is certainly necessary for supporting the 23.3 ounces of heft. Two hands will definitely be necessary for this camera (two very coordinated hands, at that). The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd may have the chunky dimensions and comfortable components of a DSLR, but it lacks the jog dials and designated buttons of a true DSLR. Case in point: to adjust the shutter speed in the manual mode, users must push the exposure compensation button with the index finger while scrolling on the multi-selector with the thumb. This movement is very tricky especially when trying to keep the camera steady for shooting. The overall handling is good but making manual adjustments can be tedious.

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size(6.25)

The S6000fd isn’t cluttered with an excessive number of on-camera buttons; it has a good balance between the minimalist buttons found on compact cameras and the intimidating tangle of buttons on most DSLRs. There is a large mode dial on the top right of the camera that is textured nicely on the sides and makes a satisfying click when engaged into a position. In front of the mode dial are two small, but properly labeled, buttons for the burst and exposure compensation settings. These must be held down with the index finger while scrolling through options with the thumb on the multi-selector. This setup is less than ideal, as the jog dial system is much more comfortable. The shutter release button is properly sized, and is surrounded by a power switch that won’t be a likely candidate for accidental engagement when in a bag.

The left side of the lens has a focus switch surrounding a button with a bow-tie-like icon on it. This icon is not very intuitive, and only when I consulted the user manual did I figure out that this was the one-touch auto focus button. The back of the camera has buttons typical of compact FinePix models, except for the obvious EVF/LCD button and the button below that which has the magnifying glass icon. This button selects the 2x digital zoom and magnifies the center of the live preview. Digital zoom deteriorates the image quality significantly and should be avoided; for that reason, it probably shouldn’t be a designated button on a camera – especially an ultra-zoom camera that flaunts its exceptional image quality. Instead of this abomination, Fujifilm should have included an on-camera button to delete images in the playback mode; that would have been much more useful.

The camera’s multi-selector is relatively small when compared with the camera’s size and the size of other controls like the mode dial. The multi-selector has a central Menu/OK button and is surrounded by a ring with bumps designating the four directions. There are cutouts between the bumps, and the edges are actually quite sharp. This will not be a comfortable interface to work with, especially for extended periods of time. You may end up developing a callus on your thumb from it.

One button Fujifilm scored with was the designated face detection auto focus button. This quickly and easily activates the system. A designated button for this feature is crucial though, as the face detection feature is the headliner on the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd.

**Menu **(6.0)

The S6000fd has the same menu system found on other FinePix models. The background color of the menus remains gray with the highlighted option appearing in a different color that can be adjusted to show up blue, purple, pink, yellow, green, or black. The menu system is split with a few frequently used options in the "F-Photo Mode" menu and the others in the main recording menu. The following options are from the "F" menu accessed with the "F" button.   

For consumers who keep their life savings in their wallets, this may seem a little strange. But for consumers who are comfortable with having most of their money in the bank, and just a few frequently used dollars in their wallets, the split menu system will feel just fine. The other part of the interface is accessed with the Menu/OK button central located in the multi-selector. The following is the recording menu that appears in gray boxes on a live preview background.

 

Unlike the recording menu, the setup menu is listed with four tabs across the top and there is no live view to grace the background. With three pushes of the multi-selector, users can see all of the setup options because they are categorized into neat pages. Here is the menu broken down into its respective pages.

   

 

The setup menu is a bit frustrating because there is no way to go back to the menu after changing options like the screen brightness, volume levels, and time. Some consumers may not enjoy reading menus with all capital letters either. Overall, the menu interface isn’t very consistent. It is split and the menus are organized differently into tabs and lists and such.

Ease of Use(6.25)

If familiar with the FinePix S-series line, this S6000fd isn’t much different. The chunky camera has good physical handling features but still has some quirks. The exposure compensation and burst buttons have to be held down while simultaneously scrolling with the multi-selector, and the one-touch auto focus button isn’t labeled very intuitively. The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd has a split menu structure, similar to ones found on Canon PowerShot digital cameras as well as Fujifilm FinePix models. Photographers tend to have a love-hate relationship with this setup. Beginners tend to be confused about where certain recording options are found. More advanced users appreciate the easy access to frequently used functions. All in all, the S6000fd isn’t very easy to use unless it is parked in the fully automatic mode.

Modes

Auto Mode(7.25)

The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd has a fully automatic mode on the mode dial. It still allows access to a few items like macro, self-timer, burst, flash, image size, color mode, and even face detection. When the exposure compensation button is pushed, a live histogram appears. This probably won’t be very useful to beginners who haven’t studied the finer points of exposure, but will certainly help speed up their learning curve and help attain proper exposures. The auto mode worked very well and took great pictures in a variety of situations.

Movie Mode (6.5)

An icon of a video camera designates the movie mode position on the mode dial. The S6000fd’s movie mode isn’t anything to get excited about though, especially when compared to equivalent modes on other ultra-zoom digital cameras. The FinePix offers standard resolution of 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 pixels; both operate at a standard 30 fps rate. Almost all of the buttons on the camera body are completely useless in the movie mode; the only menu option is to change the resolution, and there is no face detection, exposure compensation, etc. While recording video, the 10.7x optical zoom lens is fully functional. This allows users to get up close and personal with faraway subjects, but the video itself isn’t going to look good. The zoom ring mechanism isn’t designed for videos; it slides easily, so careless users will zoom fast and make the audience sick or try to go slow and end up jerking the lens around in the process. On top of all this, there is a slight delay in the auto focus system.

When movies are played back with mono audio in the camera; they can be stopped, rewound, and fast-forwarded. The volume can be adjusted within 10 levels in the setup menu, but it can’t be adjusted while a movie is playing on the screen. The audio pickups are impressive. In fact, it’s so sensitive that it picks up the sandpaper sound of the zoom ring sliding around. There are no editing options available.

Overall, the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd’s movie mode appears to be an obligatory afterthought in the design of the camera. If consumers are looking for a decent hybrid device to serve as camera and camcorder, the ultra-zoom Canon PowerShot S3 IS offers excellent still imaging capabilities and a movie mode that touts optical image stabilization with a fully functional 12x lens.

Drive / Burst Mode(6.5)

The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd has a burst mode button near the shutter release button. The location is convenient, but its interface is not. Users must push this button while also scrolling with the multi-selector; if you can pat your head while rubbing your tummy, this shouldn’t be a problem. For those uncoordinated types though (like me), this setup won’t ever feel natural. The following modes are available: Off, Top 3, Auto Bracketing, Final 3, and Long Period. The Top and Final 3 modes shoot 2.2 frames per second, but for a measly three shots! If the action is going to last more than a second-and-a-half, then users are out of luck. The Long Period option shoots to the card’s capacity but can hardly be called a burst mode at 0.7 fps. The Auto Bracketing mode must be selected from the burst button’s menu, but the intervals of +/- 1/3, 2/3, or 1 are found in the shooting menu. This setup isn’t very intuitive at all. Also available in the shooting menu is the camera’s self-timer, which can be switched to delay for 2 or 10 seconds before capturing the shot.

**Playback Mode ***(7.5)*

Pictures can be viewed several ways on the FinePix S6000fd. Using the Disp/Back button, images can be viewed with or without file info, as index screens of nine pictures, and in a calendar view with 12 thumbnails on the right and the dates listed in a column on the left. The playback menu reveals all of the things users can do with their pictures.

   

Deletion isn’t as easy on the S6000fd as it is on other digital cameras. Most models have an on-camera button, but this FinePix includes it in the menu system. Frames can be deleted one at a time or all at once, but users cannot scroll through and pick and choose a batch of photos to delete at once. What’s worse is the delay that occurs when users scroll through pictures; it takes almost a full second from the moment the multi-selector is pushed until the next picture is displayed. This makes viewing and deletion a lengthy and tedious process.

The voice memo function can be attached to still images. Up to 30 seconds of audio can be recorded. When the face detection button is pushed in the playback mode, the screen displays the brackets that were seen while recording. Pushing the button again zooms in on the face. This is the only way to magnify images in the playback mode, which is unfortunate because it will only work on faces and nothing else.

Videos can be played back in the camera, but there are no editing functions available. The clip can be stopped and started, rewound and fast-forwarded. The audio can be played back as well with adjustable volume levels available in the setup menu.

The "F" button brings a few more options to the playback menu.

 

The ambiguously named "Playback" option produces bland slide shows with an interval of about 3 seconds. Print orders can be created; users can choose the quantity of prints up to 99 copies. The ordering process is complicated by the long delay when scrolling through pictures though. Overall, the playback options aren’t outstanding. However, the 235,000-pixel resolution on the camera’s 2.5-inch LCD screen does make pictures look fabulous.

Custom Image Presets(8.0)

The S6000fd squeezes a few perennial favorite scene modes onto the mode dial, along with some newer and trendier modes. Landscape, Portrait, Natural Light, and Picture Stabilization all have icons on the dial. The first two modes have been around for a long time. The latter two are newer additions. The Natural Light mode boosts the ISO and lets users also select the dual shot mode, Natural Light & With Flash, in the shooting menu. Users who aren’t sure whether to use the flash will appreciate this mode, as it will eliminate the tedious task of switching the flash mode and ISO every other shot; the camera automatically changes the settings and snaps the pictures in a two-shot burst. The Picture Stabilization mode is also fairly fresh on the FinePix line, although it isn’t nearly as innovative as the dual shot mode. The Picture Stabilization title is misleading; it sounds like an optical image stabilization system, but instead it is a makeshift mode that boosts the ISO and speeds up the shutter speed to reduce blur. This mode also uses the flash as needed.  

Other modes can be found at the "SP" scene position of the mode dial. Sport, Night, Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Museum, Party, Flower Close-up, and Text are all found here. Like on other digital cameras, many of the scene modes limit their menu options to things like self-timer and high-speed shooting.

Control Options

Manual Control Options       

The FinePix S6000fd is tailored to enthusiasts who will appreciate the manual control it has to offer. Manual, Aperture and Shutter Priority, and Program modes complement the manual control options in the menu: custom white balance, an expansive ISO selection, manual focus, and perks like flash compensation all make this Fuji a crowd pleaser.

Focus
Auto Focus (7.5)

This Fujifilm digital camera’s main feature is its face detection auto focus system that can recognize, track, and focus on up to 10 faces at a time. A designated button to the right of the viewfinder activates the system, which works in most shooting modes (not modes like movie, night, and text). When the system sees a human face, a green box appears around it. The face detection system works quickly, which Fujifilm attributes to the fact that the system is hardware-based, rather than Nikon’s slower software-based face priority auto focus system. Canon recently introduced some cameras with face recognition technology; their system focuses on up to 9 faces at a time and is equally as speedy.

When the innovative face detection auto focus system isn’t activated, the through-the-lens contrast detection auto focus takes over. The left side of the lens has a switch that moves between Single and Continuous control modes, while the shooting menu contains Center, Multi, and Area auto focus modes. The first two modes favor the center. The Area auto focus bracket can be moved around the frame; this is done by pushing the one-touch AF button while also scrolling around with the multi-selector. That is just fine though, as the S6000fd has manual focus anyway.

The manual focus is located on the same switch as the Single and Continuous auto focus modes. In the center of the switch is a one-touch auto focus button with an icon that looks like a bowtie. The icon could certainly be improved, but the idea is that if manually focusing is taking too long and the photo moment is just about over then users can push this button to quickly focus before the shot.

Normally, the FinePix S6000fd focuses from 1.3 ft to infinity. In the macro mode, this changes to 4 inches-9.8 ft at the 28mm focal length to 3-9.8 ft at the 300mm focal length. The super macro mode shortens the focus even closer to 0.4 inches to 3.3 ft. The macro modes are accessed with the left side of the multi-selector.

In low light, it sends out a green auto focus assist lamp and still does decently. It has trouble in low contrast situations, but many cameras do. The system is quick, but not as fast as the AF system on a DSLR. There is a High-Speed Shooting option in the shooting menu that reduces the amount of time the auto focus system takes; it doesn’t provide any less reliable results but sucks the batteries dry faster. The auto focus system lags behind when zooming around in the movie mode, which looks a little strange.

Overall, the auto focus system does a decent job. The face detection auto focus system is icing on the cake.

Manual Focus (5.0)

The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd appears to have been designed with manual focusing in mind. The left side of the lens has a switch that must be moved to the "M" manual position before the focus ring on the lens will actually register. When users begin to move the focus ring, the center of the live preview is magnified. This is fine when viewing on the LCD screen, but impossible on the electronic viewfinder because of its poor resolution. The magnified view is easy to see when the camera is mounted on a tripod or other stable surface, but it bounces around when holding in the hands and makes it hard to see the subject. If subjects are off-center too, it will be hard to see them unless the "focus check" is turned off within the setup menu.

Exposure (8.25)

Full control over the exposure is available on the S6000fd. The shutter speed and aperture can be changed in the manual mode, and most other modes have access to the exposure compensation scale with a standard +/- 2 EV range in increments of 1/3. In the live preview, users can view a histogram with a few pushes of the Disp/Back button. In the playback mode, the exposure compensation button can be pushed to show a histogram, full file information, and the photo with blinking highlights that are over-exposed. A range of exposure modes abound, and should please just about any level of user.

Metering(8.0)

The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd uses a 256-zone metering system that is controlled with the following modes: Multi, Spot, and Average. These options are available in the shooting menu under the Photometry heading. There is a live view as users scroll through these options, but it is sometimes hard to see because of the translucent gray box filled with menu text.

ISO (9.5)

The "F" menu contains the ISO selection, which is larger than what is offered on most digital cameras. The FinePix S6000fd has options for 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and 3200. The camera uses the higher ISO sensitivities for its Natural Light and Picture Stabilization scene modes; these allow easy photography in low light. This FinePix is equipped with noise reduction technology, so check out the ISO tests in the Performance section of this review for more details.

White Balance (8.0)    

In the shooting menu, a white balance item makes 8 options appear when selected. These 8 modes are displayed on the far right side of the LCD screen, with the live preview on the left: Auto, Custom, Fine (daylight), Shade, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, and Incandescent. The custom white balance mode provides on-screen directions; all users need to do to get accurate colors is push the shutter release button while in this portion of the menu.

Shutter Speed(8.0)

In both the shutter priority and manual modes, the shutter speed can be changed by pushing up and down on the multi-selector. The range is very wide: 30 seconds to 1/4000th of a second in the manual mode. This should satisfy most users of this camera, but a few may be irked at the omission of a bulb setting. The range is shortened in the priority and program modes; its longest exposure is only 4 seconds.

Aperture (8.0)

In the manual mode, the aperture is a bit tougher to adjust than its counterpart. The exposure compensation button must be held down while scrolling up and down with the multi-selector. In the aperture priority mode, only the multi-selector is used. The widest the aperture can get is f/2.8 at the 28mm focal length. When the lens is bumped even a tiny bit, it jumps to f/2.9. There are plenty of aperture choices: f/2.8, f/2.9, f/3, f/3.1, all the way to f/4.9. These tiny increments can be accessed by setting the aperture as wide as it will go, then zooming in very slowly. At the most telephoto 300mm focal length, f/4.9 is as wide as it gets. With the multi-selector, the following apertures are offered throughout the range: f/2.8, 3.2, 3.6, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.6, 6.4, 7.1, 8, 9, 10, and 11. The minimum aperture in the manual mode is f/11, but the range stops short at f/8 in the aperture priority mode.

Image Parameters

Picture Quality / Size Options(7.5)

In the setup menu, the default image format of JPEG can be switched to RAW. RAW files take up a lot of space on the memory card (too much to fit even one picture on the internal memory), but the advantage of an uncompressed image file is that it is much more flexible when editing in software later. The JPEG images are all normally compressed except for the top resolution, which allows Fine and Normal choices. The following image sizes are available from the "F" menu under the Quality heading: 2848 x 2136, 3024 x 2016 (3:2), 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, and 640 x 480. Beside each image size in the menu, the number of pictures left on the memory card using the respective image size is displayed. This helps users choose which quality to use depending on the situation, how many pictures they still need to take, and how large they will want to print the pictures.

Picture Effects Mode(6.25)

The "F" menu also allows access to a typical list of color modes: Standard, Chrome, and Black & White. The Chrome option over-saturates colors, similar to other manufacturers’ models that title this mode Vivid or Rich. The Black & White mode looks just as it is supposed to, so there’s nothing unique about the color modes on the FinePix S6000fd. Most cameras – particularly those marketed to enthusiasts - now have some form of parameters for contrast, saturation, and sharpness. This Fuji only has a control for the sharpness; it can be set to Hard, Standard, or Soft.

Connectivity / Extras

Connectivity
Software (7.0)

The camera comes with FinePix Viewer software included on a CD-ROM. When downloaded, the program automatically loads and recognizes all the photos on the computer – not just the ones taken by the Fujifilm digital camera. Folders can be viewed, and thumbnails of the photos in the folders can be viewed too. The size of the thumbnails can be adjusted to show 30, 12, or 4 pictures on the computer screen at once. Preview and list modes are also available  from tabs across the top of the browser window. A Calendar view goes beyond just the month and day, but also sorts all the pictures and displays them in order to the minute. Rotating and deletion can be done from the main browser.

Users can click on a picture and then the Image tab at the top to eliminate red-eye, insert text, and adjust the colors and exposure. A tiny preview at the bottom shows the before and after effects of the simple editing functions, but it is hardly viewable. It is in here that brightness, saturation, hue, and contrast can be adjusted on sliding scales.

Surprisingly, movies can be viewed and edited within the FinePix Viewer software too. Not many digital cameras include movie editing functions on their software, so this is a bonus. There is no preview of what the movie will look like after these effects are applied, so users have to take a leap of faith with these editing features: auto adjust tone, monochrome and sepia filters, and rotation to clockwise or counterclockwise orientation.

Slide shows  much more interesting than the on-camera setup can be viewed within the software. The interval can be set, pictures can be played on a loop, background music can be added, and transition effects can be applied.

The FinePix Viewer software comes with a RAW file converter and ImageMixer VCD2 LE software to help users create backup album discs or video discs with slide shows to be played back on computers or DVD players.

Overall, the included FinePix Viewer software doesn’t offer spectacular options for users who really want to dabble with RAW files; invest in better photo editing software if this sounds like your camp. Consumers who want to tweak a little contrast and rotate pictures before playing internal slideshows will appreciate this software though. The movie editing is also a big plus, as most included software doesn’t include anything like it.

Jacks, ports, plugs (6.0)

The batteries are loaded into a compartment below the hard grip, but all the other ports are on the left side of the camera. There is a plastic door that covers the memory card slot, and below it is an L-shaped rubber door that hangs by a flimsy cord. Three jacks rest beneath the cover: AV-out at the top, DC-in at the bottom, and USB 2.0 to the right. The AV and USB cables are included with the camera, so photographers can hook up to the television, computer, or PictBridge compatible printer. The AV-out function can be set to NTSC or PAL standards so video can be output when traveling through Europe or America.

Direct Print Options (6.0)

In the playback mode, the "F" menu includes a Print Order (DPOF) option that allows users to scroll through images and select pictures to print. The number of copies of each picture can be adjusted from 0-99. Pictures must be scrolled through one by one to be picked for the print order; this is complicated by the delay between when the multi-selector is pushed and when the next picture actually appears. It takes almost a second to change images, so creating a print order could be a painstakingly slow process. Users can choose whether to print the date on the images from this menu as well.

Battery (5.0)

Like many ultra-zoom digital cameras, the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd is powered by 4 AA batteries. The batteries are housed in a compartment below the right hand grip, and held inside by a plastic door with a feeble hinge. To close the batteries into the camera, call a strong man and have him squash the batteries into the compartment and shove the door downward, then slide it inward while applying a massive amount of force. Indeed, this task is not for the weary. The battery life varies widely depending on what type of AAs are used. Fujifilm publishes that alkaline batteries will be included and that they will last 200 shots. There are Ni-MH rechargeable batteries that can be used and will provide about 400 shots per charge. Fujifilm sent our review model with Energizer e2 AA batteries and they lasted longer than I’d anticipated. In the setup menu, there is a battery "Discharge" option that warns, "Do not execute with non Ni-MH rechargeable batteries." This function revitalizes rechargeable batteries that have sat in the camera for a long period of time without use.

Memory (3.75)  

A speck of internal memory is included on the camera, but photographers are almost certainly going to have to purchase more memory. With 10 MB, users can’t snap a single RAW picture and can only take 3 pictures at the top JPEG resolution. The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd uses xD-Picture cards, which are barely smaller than the more popular SD type cards. The xD card fits into a slot under a plastic door on the left side of the camera; this door is held on by a metal hinge that is very loose. This Fuji camera uses xD-Picture cards up to 2 GB, which will go quickly if users want to record lots of movies. In the playback mode, users can move pictures from the internal memory to the card and vice versa.

Other features (7.0)

Face Detection – This feature is covered in the auto focus section of this review, but because it is the headliner on the S6000fd it deserves a cameo here too. The face detection can be activated with its own designated button; this is a good move on Fujifilm’s part. When Nikon came out with its face priority auto focus technology, it was buried within camera menus and hardly used. The unique silver button on the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd ensures that users will see and activate it. Fujifilm improved on Nikon’s system in many ways. The biggest problem with Nikon’s system was that it was slow; Fujifilm’s technology is fast – it recognizes faces quickly and tracks them until the picture is taken. Nikon’s system could recognize only one face, while Fujifilm can recognize up to ten in one frame. When Nikon finally recognized a face, it wasn’t always good at tracking it and it placed a big yellow smiley face over the live view. That distraction is minimized with Fujifilm’s system quickly placing a green box around the face or faces and then tracking them across the frame. Both systems have some limitations though. Faces must be human; no dog, cat, or other animal faces will work. Subjects must be facing the cameras too: both systems use algorithms that rely on the measurements between eyes, noses, and mouths. Canon recently released three PowerShot digital cameras with face recognition functionality. I got to look at them while at Photokina 2006, and they look just as fast as the Fujifilm system. They recognize and track up to 9 faces at a time. We will have more to say about those models in the months to come.   

Overall Impressions

Value (6.5)

The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd offers a unique feature set at its price point. There are plenty of cameras with ultra-zoom lenses, but none that flaunt the face detection technology the way this camera does. This FinePix retails for $499, which seems fair if your looking for high ISOs, a 28mm wide angle lens, or an ultra-zoom with face detection technology, but without image stabilization, it seems a bit overpriced. It has a 6.3-megapixel Super CCD (which by today’s standards is a bit short), expansive ISO options from 100-3200, full manual control, and a 10.7x optical zoom lens. This year’s primarily competition for the Fujifilm S6000fd will surely include a form of image stabilization and likely offer more resolution as well, but may lack higher sensitivity settings and face detection. For many consumers, the lack of stabilization will likely be a deal-breaker; however, those who remain interested will get a lot for $500, although $100 price drop would make the camera a much more attractive package.  

Comparisons
[

Fujifilm FinePix S5200 –](https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cameras/content/Fujifilm-FinePix-S5200-Digital-Camera-Review-.htm) This digital camera has a smaller 1/2.5-inch CCD with 5.1 megapixels on it and a body that looks similar to the newer S6000fd. The body differences are important though. The cameras have the same tall flash units and wide hand grips, but the lenses are very different. The FinePix S5200 has a 10x optical zoom lens that measures 38-380mm and does not have functional zoom or focus rings. The shorter lens has a 55mm threading at the end rather than the S6000fd’s 58mm diameter. Both cameras have equally inaccessible manual controls, but the S5200’s options aren’t as expansive. The ISO only extends to 1600, the shutter speeds are limited to 15-1/2000th of a second, metering is done with a 64-zone system, and there is no face detection technology of course. Some of the components on the older model aren’t as impressive either: the 1.8-inch LCD screen has only 115k pixels, and the 10x lens is not functional while recording movies. Both Fujis had the same disappointing electronic viewfinder, and the same burst mode too. The Fujifilm FinePix S5200 has only 5 scene modes, including one called Anti-Blur that is identical to the Picture Stabilization mode in all but the name. The S5200 does not have internal memory, but comes with a 16 MB xD-Picture card. It runs on four AA batteries, but uses them more efficiently as it gets 250 shots from alkaline batteries. Its 5.1 megapixels were efficient, but its noise reduction technology must not have been up to par. The Fujifilm S5200 performed okay in low light, keeping subjects illuminated but letting the colors slide. In optimal lighting, colors were nearly perfect though; this camera produced some of the most accurate colors we’ve ever seen. The FinePix S5200 takes great pictures despite its shortcomings when compared to its newer and cooler sibling, and at $299 it makes a good option for consumers on a tight budget.

[

Canon PowerShot G7 –](https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cameras/content/Canon-PowerShot-G7-First-Impressions-Review.htm) This digital camera comes as a monstrous 10-megapixel and face recognition technology hardwired into its image processor. The Canon PowerShot G7 comes with a 6x optical zoom lens and image stabilization, something that the ultra-zoom Fujifilm camera missed out on. The face detection technology on this model is equally as fast, but tracks 9 faces at a time rather than 10. The technology does not have a designated on-camera button though; it is accessed in the shooting menu. The G7 can manually focus too. It does not have zoom and focus rings like the Fujifilm camera, but it does have an interesting rotary dial that makes fine movements to manually focus. This rotary dial is also used to navigate through menus and make selections of shutter speeds and apertures; this is a big improvement over the S6000fd’s rigid and uncomfortable multi-selector. The Canon PowerShot G7 has 25 shooting modes including manual, priority, and 16 scene modes. It has a 2 fps burst mode with a longer 6-8-shot buffer, ISO options of 80-1600, extensive color modes, and a movie mode that shoots 1024 x 768-pixel resolution. It does so at 15 fps, but also has 30 fps rates for the more standard 640 x 480 and 320 x 240-pixel sizes. Unfortunately, this camera does not have functional optical zoom while recording videos. The G7 has an optical viewfinder that isn’t very useful, but it does have a 2.5-inch LCD screen. The screen doesn’t have as much resolution as the Fujifilm S6000fd though; the Canon has 207,000 pixels on it. The cameras, however, employ radically different stylings. The Fuji has references to DSLR cameras, but the Canon PowerShot G7 is much more compact. It has a boxy 4.2 x 2.8 x 1.7-inch body that has retro elements and is fitted to stash in an optional underwater housing. It has a built-in flash unit that only covers 13 ft, but it also has a hot shoe for optional Canon Speedlite flashes. This PowerShot can also accept conversion lenses. The Canon PowerShot G7 is much more compact and has some high-performance features along with its 10 megapixels and face detection technology; it retails for $599.

[

Nikon Coolpix S4 –](https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cameras/content/Nikon-Coolpix-S4-Digital-Camera-Review.htm) This 6-megapixel digital camera has a much more compact design with a pivoting lens. The 10x optical zoom lens has an equivalent measurement of 38mm-380mm, which fits nicely in the 4.4 x 2.7 x 1.4-inch camera body. The Nikon S4 is one of the most portable ultra-zoom digital cameras, but it comes at the expense of performance. The S4 does not have manual control over shutter speed and aperture, but does let users choose between 50-400 ISO options, five white balance presets, and a typical +/- 2 exposure compensation range.  The Coolpix snapped decent pictures in low light, but had significant shutter lag and a burst mode slower than the Fuji’s slowest burst mode. The Nikon S4 has a movie mode, but it doesn’t use the optical zoom and only records 15 fps at its top 640 x 480-pixel resolution. As far as the components go, the S4 has the same size LCD at 2.5 inches, but has much less resolution with only 110,000 pixels. There is no viewfinder on this model. One of the biggest similarities between the Nikon S4 and the Fujifilm S6000fd is the face recognition technology. Nikon uses a software-based technology that is much slower and doesn’t track faces as well. It also places a giant yellow smiley face over subjects, making it difficult to see anything on the live preview. The Nikon Coolpix S4 retails for $399 but can be found online for less than $300. It is much cheaper than the Fujifilm model and is much more compact.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – These consumers will be fine if the camera is set to Auto, but may start hyperventilating in any other mode. Some functions are hidden, the menu system is split, and some buttons must be held down simultaneously with others – and there’s no in-camera help guide to save them.  

Budget Consumers – You get what you pay for with the Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd. At $499, this camera has decent resolution, zoom, controls, and even some fancy face detection technology. Fuji keeps the camera cheap though, but at the expense of excluding image stabilization.

Gadget Freaks – These consumers will appreciate the face detection technology. Watching the camera frame faces and track them is very satisfying to gadget freaks. Snapping perfectly focused pictures is satisfying to everyone.

Manual Control Freaks – The FinePix S6000fd has plenty of manual control, but it isn’t as easy to access as it is on a DSLR. Instead, users have to push buttons while scrolling with others and dig through menus for manual control. Freaks beware.

Pros/ Serious Hobbyists – The S6000fd takes great pictures and could serve as a backup camera, but because its manual controls are so inaccessible it is doubtful pros will warm up to it.  

Conclusion

**Conclusion
The 6.3-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd touts its face detection technology foremost, but has a lot of other features to brag about. The 10.7x optical zoom lens has the look and feel of an interchangeable model, but remains sealed and keeps dust out of the camera. There is plenty of manual control, albeit sometimes difficult to access. The i-Flash system keeps details in the background of pictures and doesn’t over-exposure faces. The combination of the i-Flash system and the face detection technology keeps portraits perfectly focused and exposed. The Fujifilm FinePix S6000fd is one of the best digital cameras out there for portrait photography, but it doesn’t do well in other areas. It lacks image stabilization and its zoom ring is difficult to smoothly control, so movies are jumpy. The zoom and focus rings are great to work with when shooting still images, but don’t function well at all while shooting video. The S6000fd is definitely not a candidate to be one of those ultra-zoom hybrid digital cameras, so it won’t be a crowd pleaser with the mass market. The SLR-shaped camera, called the FinePix S6500fd in Europe, retails for $499 and will be a good camera for consumers who want to take fabulous portraits or shoot indoors with available light.

**

Specs / Ratings

Specs Table
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