Fujifilm FinePix E510 Review

The Auto record mode is a simple "Point-n-Shoot" mode. The line of info across the top starts on the left with AUTO indicating Auto Record mode. The "A" and lightning bolt indicate auto flash. The "5M" represents image resolution of 5 megapixels (2592 x 1944), the "F" indicates Fine compression, and "11" represents the number of frames that can be recorded at the current image size. The yellow brackets in the center denotes the auto focus target area.

Pressing the DISPlay button next to the LCD toggles from the above screen to the live image without any data display.

Depressing the MENU button calls-up the AUTO record MENU; options are:

SELF-TIMER - ON / OFF, 10 second delay

OPTION - Adjust LCD brightness, enter the SETUP menu

Depressing the "F" button calls up the FinePix Quality, Sensitivity and Color menu. Menu options are the same for Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual and Scene modes; Auto ISO only available in Auto photography mode. Options are:

QUALITY - Choose image size/quality; 5M Fine, 5M Normal, 3M, 2M, 0.3M

ISO - Choose sensitivity; 80, 100, 200, 400 (plus Auto in Auto photography mode)

FinePix Color - Choose B&W, Standard, or Chrome (high contrast and saturation)

This is the Programmed Auto record screen, indicated by the "P" in the upper left corner. In addition to the information present on the Auto screen, indicators for the selected metering mode, and ISO are shown. The Hand icon warns of a possible blurry image due to slow shutter speed. The "Open" with a lightning bolt suggests opening the pop-up flash. The metering system's choice of aperture and shutter speed are shown in the lower left; the up and down buttons of the 4-way controller activate a program shift, selecting different combinations of aperture and shutter speed.

This is the Shutter-Priority Auto record screen, indicated by the "S" in the upper left corner. Shutter speed is controlled by the up and down buttons of the 4-way controller. The metering system warns of under or over exposure by highlighting the aperture value in red.

This is the Aperture-Priority Auto record screen, indicated by the "A" in the upper left corner. Aperture is controlled by the up and down buttons of the 4-way controller. The metering system warns of under or over exposure by highlighting the shutter speed in red.

This is the Manual record screen, indicated by the "M" in the upper left corner. Shutter speed is adjusted using the up and down buttons of the 4-way controller; aperture is adjusted by holding down the "±" button while depressing the 4-way controller's up or down button. An exposure indicator is shown in the lower right, with over exposure to the "+" or right side, and under exposure to the "-" or left side.

SELF-TIMER - ON / OFF, 10 second delay

PHOTOMETRY - Choose Spot or Multi metering

WHITE BALANCE - Auto, Daylight, Shade, "Daylight" Fluorescent, "Warm White" Fluorescent, "cool white" Fluorescent, Incandescent

FOCUSING - Choose Auto or Manual focus

SHARPNESS - Choose Normal, Hard or Soft

FLASH - Adjust flash brightness ± 2 EV

OPTION - Adjust LCD brightness or enter Setup menu

Exposure compensation can be adjusted ±2.0 EV in 1/3 EV steps in Program, Aperture-priority and Shutter-priority modes by depressing the 4-way controller's left or right buttons while holding down the "±" button. An exposure compensation indicator is displayed in the lower right of the LCD.

The Macro focus mode can be enabled in Auto, Program, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority or Manual shooting modes and allows you to focus from 2.6 inches to 2.6 feet; the optical zoom range is limited to 28-42mm in Macro mode and the effective flash range is 1 foot to 2.6 feet. Super Macro focus range is 1 inch to 5.9 inches; flash can not be used and the optical zoom is locked at wide angle.

Set-Up menu in Record and Play modes:

IMAGE DISP. - Off/On, Allows review of capture for 2 seconds
POWER SAVE - 2min/5 min/off
FORMAT - Formats the xD-Picture Card
LCD - ON/OFF by default when in record
BEEP - Volume of camera sounds, Low/High/Off
SHUTTER - Volume of Shutter sound Off/1/2/3
DATE/TIME - setting of date and time
TIME DIFFERENCE Time zone difference (World Time)
FRAME NO. - Continuous or reset (file numbering)
USB MODE - DSC(download to a PC)/PC Cam (webcam mode)/PictBridge
START-IMAGE - ON/OFF Startup Screen when camera powered on
LANGUAGE - English/French/German/Spanish/Japanese/Chinese
VIDEO SYSTEM - NTSC or PAL video signal timing
DISCHARGE - Discharge the NiMH rechargeable batteries
RESET - resets all camera settings to default.

The Movie record mode display. The top info line indicates the movie recording size is 320x240 followed by the remaining recording time at this quality setting. The E510 records motion video with audio at 10fps with resolutions of 320x240 (up to 60 seconds) or 160x120 (up to 240 seconds.) The optical zoom lens can be used to compose the movie before recording, but can not be changed during recording.