Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd

Latest - Review at CNET (added 28 September ‘07)

Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd features:

• 6.3 megapixel
• 3x optical zoom
• Face recognition
• 26 MB of internal memory
• Support xd cards
• ISO range up to 1600
• Intelligent flash

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CNET
PCMag
ImagingResource
Pocket-lint
Good Gear Guide
Unbeatable
Crunch Gear
Gizmodo
ePhotozine
Trusted Reviews
PCW
PhotoReview
DigitalCameraInfo

CNET - 28 September’07 - reviews the Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd and writes;
“The Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd probably ranks as one of the smaller, cuter budget models, but it’s ultimately your call as to whether the marginally slimmer build makes up for the missing features and inconsistent photo quality. I don’t think it does.

The bottom line: It’s thin, pretty, and reasonably fast, but exposure problems make the Fujifilm Z5fd hard to recommend to its budget snapshooter audience.”

PCMag - 26 September’07 - reviews the Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd and writes;
“An inexpensive pocket camera, the Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd shoots quickly and provides handy automatic features that improve your chances of getting a good shot. But image-processing artifacts mean that if you want to print your shots in a large format, this isn’t the camera for you.”

ImagingResource reviews the FujiFilm FinePix Z5fd and writes;
“Fujifilm packed the compact, elegant FinePix Z5fd with practical features that help it stand out from the crowd. It may not have the biggest LCD, but the Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd has face detection that’s quicker than most, and it shows up right after capture to verify that you got the people you really wanted in focus. The Fujifilm Z5fd not only offers high ISO capability, it’s a no-brainer to use with both a Natural Light Scene mode and a unique Natural Light & Flash mode that quickly takes one shot without flash and one with it. iFlash, the intelligent flash function that includes focus distance in its calculation, is — like the other features — something you’ll miss on other cameras.”

Pocket-lint - 6/20/2007 - has reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd and writes, “The Fuji Z5fd provides the sort of image quality that other digital compacts with higher resolution sensors can only dream of.

The good lens performance also helps and while this is, strictly speaking, a trendy, nice-looking snapping camera, probably to be found in clubs or pubs, it deserves a wider audience but particularly for those looking for a simple to use, ultra-compact digital camera that takes excellent pictures.”

Good Gear Guide - 6/19/2007 - has reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd and writes, “Everyone loves a party, and none more so than Fujifilm it would appear. The Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd is a formidable party animal. The Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd perfectly balances size, style and function, and can cope on a night out when quick snaps are in order. Video quality is truly impressive.”

Unbeatable - 6/15/2007 - has reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd and writes, “We really enjoyed using the Fuji Z5FD and though it was excellent value for money. Although the battery life could be slightly better, the images we received were fab and as long as you keep the battery charged for every occasion you should have no problems with this one.”

Crunch Gear - 6/10/2007 - has reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd and writes, “Images taken with the Z5 were fairly bright and detailed with just a bit of noise in visible in out of focus areas. I printed out a few of the images and saw no noticeably egregious problems but the images were slightly washed out in natural light.”

Gizmodo - 6/9/2007 - has reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd and writes, “So, it’s a nice camera, in fact, further proof that Fujifilm is no longer as categorically crappy as it once was, but can this baby blog? Not yet. Fujifilm: We don’t know where you got your impression of tha bloggin’ life, but there’s a little more going on here. That said, please try again, because anything that keeps me from launching Photoshop out in the field would be sweet indeedy.”

ePhotozine - 5/3/2007 - has reviewed the 6.3 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd and writes, “With features such as Intelligent Face Detection, anti-camera shake mode, Fujifilm’s Super CCD HR technology and Real Processor II, the Fuji Z5 FD has a lot of features for such a small compact. The camera also boasts an extremely slimline and compact design, with an attractive outer casing. As for the quality of images, the Macro mode gives high quality close ups and the landscape test renders good detail, but with any ISO setting above 100 quality quickly deteriorates and noise becomes evident. Unfortunately, the Fuji Z5 looks a lot better than it actually is, and I wasn’t impressed with the overall quality of the image.”

Trusted Reviews - 4/2/2007 - has reviewed the 6.3 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd and writes, “Proving that you should never judge a book by its cover, the party-oriented Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd is a very accomplished little camera, capable of producing excellent results both indoors and out in a wide range of lighting conditions, as long as you keep your grubby fingers clear of the lens. It is stylish, well made, performs and handles well, and is very easy to use. The only real issue is the limited battery life, but if as long as you keep it charged up this shouldn’t be a problem.”

PCW - 3/12/2007 - has reviewed the 6.3 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd and writes, “A very capable, easily pocketable digicam with the bonus of rapid face detection - ideal for the style-conscious socialite. Pros: Face detection makes people photos a cinch; impressive image quality; very easy to use Cons: Small controls; easy to switch on accidentally; no memory card or case bundled”

PhotoReview - 2/21/2007 - has had the opportunity to review the 6.3 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd and writes, “Although it’s simple to switch on and offers some handy aids for novice photographers, physically the Z5fd is less than ideal for anyone with large fingers or limited dexterity. All the button controls are small - including the shutter button. The cover for the battery/card compartment is easy to open but it only flips up through 90 degrees. This makes fitting an xD Picture Card very awkward.”

DigitalCameraInfo - 1/12/2007 - has had the opportunity to be one of the first to review the 6.3 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd and thinks it has a misleading “manual” mode. They write - “It is rare that a sexy camera actually performs decently. The Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd does just this though. It comes in a 0.8-inch skinny metal body with a sliding lens cover – and in three colors too. Then Fujifilm added a few ingredients from older models such as the automated modes and ease of use before spiking it with a new image processor and technology found in the high-performing FinePix F-series. The Z5fd has effective face detection technology and an i-Flash system that helps snap great portraits. The 6.3-megapixel digital camera appeals to the younger generation not only with its trendy colors, but with its IrSimple wireless communication technology and Trimming for Blog mode. Fujifilm envisions young users to snap pictures and beam them to computers to be added to personal blogs and networking web sites. There are a few drawbacks to the camera such as a 3-shot burst mode, a relatively small maximum aperture, and some of the smallest controls out there. Still, the $229 retail price and encouraging pictures on the show floor make the future look bright for the Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd.”

Sample Test Photos - (updated 11 September ‘07)

[Sample Test Photos at ImagingResource]
[Sample Photos at Pocket-lint]
[Sample Photos at Trusted Reviews]

Specifications

[Official Fujifilm Specifications]

Owners Manual

[FujiFilm FinePix Z5fd Owners Manual]

Press Release

08 November 2006 - Fujifilm is pleased to announce the launch of the Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd; the first in its range of Z series cameras to feature hardware-based Face Detection technology. Available in three colours, Raspberry Red, Mocha Brown and Silver, the Fujifilm Z5fd becomes the flagship in Fujifilm’s ultra-slim, style-compact line-up alongside the FinePix Z3 and Z2. With 3x optical zoom, 6.3 Megapixels, ISO 1600, Intelligent Flash and new blog mode; plus Fujifilm’s unique Super CCD HR and RP Processor II, the Fujifilm Z5fd’s diminutive size and chic outer-shell look at odds with the amount of technology at its heart. The Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd is small enough that it will fit easily into a pocket or the most minimalist of clutch bags. The Fujifilm FinePix Z5fd features the traditional Z’ series sliding lens cover, with a Z5fd motif that lights up in operation, 2.5″ scratch resistant LCD screen and non-extending Fujinon 3x optical zoom lens so that it will emerge unscathed from even the most cluttered of spaces.

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See also: Fujifilm, Fujifilm Review Roundups