The folks at image resourcing have done an in-depth review of the Fuji FinePix E550 and let’s see what they have to say. The Fuji FinePix E550 is a point and shoot camera but does have a host of manual controls and offers great results at affordable prices. Images can be printed up to 11x17, or 8x10 with heavy cropping without becoming unsharp. While nothing bad can be said about the image quality the E550 stores up images in larger sized files. The digicam also has one of the worst battery life and can only run for about 3 hours and the camera also underperforms in low light conditions.

The Fuji FinePix E550 features a fourth generation 6.3-megapixel Super CCD HR from Fuji with a 4x optical zoom which is capable of producing 6.3x digital zoom. It has a real-image optical viewfinder and a 2.0-inch color LCD monitor and includes exposure modes like Auto, Program AE, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual exposure modes. The built in flash has four modes and the digicam also has a movie mode which supports sound. White Balance settings include Auto, Custom (manual setting), Outdoors, Shade, Daylight Fluorescent, Warm White Fluorescent, Cool White Fluorescent, or Incandescent and shutter speeds ranges from 1/2,000 to three seconds. The digicam is compatible with xD-Picture Cards and is powered by two rechargeable NiMH batteries.

The review concludes by saying “From a usability standpoint, the E550 spans a range from rank beginner (in full Auto mode) to sophisticated photographer (in full manual exposure mode). This makes it a great choice for dual- or multiple-user households, and also a good choice for someone looking for a camera that's easy to use to get started but that has additional features to offer as you become more experienced. About the only complaints I have with the camera are limited low-light capability (its autofocus system doesn't handle after-dark conditions very well), and a little more distortion in the lens than I'd like to see. When you consider the aggressive price that Fuji's brought it to market though, the FinePix E550 is a nearly unbeatable bargain: There's nothing anywhere near its combination of resolution, features, and image quality for anywhere near its price. If you're looking for a good-performing, high-resolution all-around digicam, the E550 would make a great choice. - And it was an easy choice for me, to make it a "Dave's Pick."