Product: Fujifilm FinePix S1500 Digital Camera
Manufacturer: Fujifilm
MSRP: $199.99      Find Lowest Price @ PriceGrabber
Author: Bill
Date: July 21, 2009

My primary digital camera is a Fujifilm FinePix S9100. I purchased this a few years ago when a digital SLR camera system was out of out of my price range, but I wanted a capable live-view camera that didn’t feel like a toy in my hands and afforded me the flexibility of manual control. It should be noted that my primary camera of choice is a Canon F-1, circa 1980. Film photography and manual focus and exposure control are my friends, but I have recognized the need for a digital solution, as not everything in my life needs to be an artistic expression. The photographs for many of my reviews have been taken with the S9100 and a Canon Speedlight.

The 1500 in this review promises grown-up features for a small form-factor camera, in a lesser but similar way to my trusty 9100.

Packaging, In the Box

The camera is packaged in a cardboard box with the usual fare of manuals and quick-start guides. A lens cap, lens cap strap, shoulder strap, and camera fill out the box compactly.

Camera and Testing

This camera attempts to cross the “prosumer” line from the low end by pushing advanced features into a form factor that is relatively close to a compact point-and-shoot.

Features

While the sensor size is small, the lens offers the 35mm equivalent of 33-396mm optical zoom (roughly 12x). The LCD is bright and large, and a simulated viewfinder is present to complete the illusion of a more powerful camera. The ten-megapixel sensor offers excellent image quality and low noise at sensitivities 200 and lower. Beyond ISO 400, the sensor is inordinately noisy. Image stabilization is accomplished by shifting the CCD. Using this feature, I was able to obtain working images at shutter speeds as slow at 1/30.

Photometry is accurate and available in matrix, face-detection, center-weight, and spot patterns. The lens automatically zooms and focuses with internal servomotors, and retracts when off. It does not have an integral lens-cap, so one is provided. Interestingly, the lens does not have a filter thread, so the lens cap is a friction fit that is ejected as the lens assumes its operating position. Needless to say, it landed on the ground numerous times before I gave up and attached the strap.

Beyond the usual Auto, Program, Manual, Aperture and Shutter Priority modalities exists a mode that allows the camera to auto-detects and applies the appropriate scene setting. Based on auto-focus information, it can activate macro and super-macro modes that allow a minimum focusing distance of 1cm. Additionally, an on-board panorama creator overlays the edge of a previous frame to assist alignment of the next. It sports a pop-up flash, but not a hot-shoe.

Controls and Usability

There is no multi-mode control wheel or dial, which would be appreciated on a camera that offers so many different functions. A four-way pad with center button serves to navigate menus and change exposure settings in modes that support aspects of manual control. While the controls are solidly built, they are by no means appropriate for setting exposure. The lack of a real viewfinder further inhibits this camera’s foray into more advanced territory. The viewfinder display is small, and offers no dioptric adjustment. I felt as though it’s inclusion was to further the illusion of a more powerful platform than to offer sincere functionality.

While I am familiar with Fujifilm’s menu scheme, it’s horribly outdated and needs a facelift. Pressing the center button intuitively activates a settings menu with common adjustments such as meter mode and auto-focus modes, but does not overlap with the “F” menu. This latter menu is a holdover from earlier firmware versions that used it as the primary photography settings menu. Currently it holds three items: sensor sensitivity, color mode, and file-size. These do not warrant a separate menu, and certainly not a dedicated button.

Files are stored on an SD (or SD-HC) card in the bottom battery compartment. Like other Fujifilm cameras (including my 9100), it takes four AA batteries, but the SD card is a departure from Fujifilm and Olympus’ XD memory card. I welcome both of these features as being convenient and inexpensive alternatives to proprietary battery and storage technologies. The AA batteries have been serving me for weeks of off-and-on shooting in all light conditions without signs of wear.

Advanced features such as image stabilization, on-board panorama mode, and a capable movie modality will serve photographers of all levels. In my hands, the camera felt comfortable and provided easy-to-use controls that felt sturdy and appropriately placed.

Test Photos

Click thumbnails to view full size image

Conclusions

Depending on where you go, the camera will cost around $200 (USD), which is a good value for a powerful point-and-shoot. In some cases it succeeds as a crossover camera, offering impressive optics and imaging capabilities. I wouldn’t consider it effective over ISO 400 because of the noisy sensor, but images are impressive for a point-and-shoot at lower sensitivities. Use of the “viewfinder” is not worth the effort as the screen is more than effective in daylight. Similarly, manual control is limited by the lack of dedicated control surfaces. Still, the camera out-performs most point-and-shoot systems in its price range. If you can handle the slight bulk of the camera it represents a solid creative platform at the right price.

Pros

+ Impressive optics
+ Value
+ Convenient memory card and battery formats
+ Screen and controls well suited for point-and-shoot operation

Cons

- Manual control and advanced photography modes are less accessible due to point-and-shoot control scheme, although available

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Tags: Camera, digital, FinePix, Fuji, Fujifilm, S1500