Kyocera Finecam S5

We first saw Kyocera's Finecam S3 in December 2001 (see Labs, issue 86) - at the time it was the smallest 3.3-megapixel camera in the world. Many other companies have since come along to offer small, powerful digital cameras, and the desire for bigger and bigger optical resolutions has resulted in the Finecam S5 with a 5-megapixel sensor.

However, with dimensions of just 95 x 33 x 58mm (W x D x H), you can't expect everything, and one advanced feature missing from the Finecam S5 is the ability to record uncompressed TIFF files. Even with a high capture resolution of 2,560 x 1,920, some users won't be happy with compressed JPEGs, although with Fine compression the images are still around 3.2MB when opened in Photoshop. For those who are less concerned about compression, there's a Normal JPEG mode, with files typically a little more than 2MB in size.

Kyocera retains the Secure Digital/MMC slot seen in the Finecam S3 and a 16MB SD card is supplied as standard. As usual, this isn't enough, yielding between four and six shots using the Fine mode, and around a dozen using the Normal setting. Images are uploaded via a supplied USB lead, and the camera acts as an external disk. This allows you to easily drag the created JPEGs into Photoshop or another editing package for quick and easy editing without using the supplied Kyocera software. However, while the size of SD cards is ideal for such a small camera, the maximum storage capacity at present can't compete with models using CompactFlash.

We found the Finecam S5 comfortable to use in spite of its small size. One problem is that even though the rear colour TFT screen features 85,000 pixels, its 1.6in diagonal is quite small, meaning it can be difficult to compose some shots. Once you've taken the picture, though, you can use the convenient rocker switch and compass point control pad to move around and zoom into an image viewed on the TFT. The same controls operate the menu system, which we found a little unconventional, although it worked well.

The options in the menu are extensive for what initially looks like a simple point-and-shoot camera. It certainly offers plenty of advanced options for those looking to be more creative, plus a host of more practical settings to tailor the images to your needs. For instance, sharpness can be set at one of five settings and colour may be adjusted to increase or decrease saturation. There's also an option to shoot in black and white mode, plus an arty sepia mode.

I'm less impressed by Kyocera's decision to limit the exposure options to Program mode or one of two aperture settings - either f/2.8 for a shallow depth of field or f/9.6 for increased near-to-far sharpness. That said, these two apertures do make sense, the first allowing for low light or portraits against an untidy background where you want to limit the effect, through to close-ups and landscapes where you want to capture as much sharp detail as possible. However, it can't replace a full Aperture Priority mode, which would provide much more control.

There's an exposure compensation mode, though, with options for +/- 2EV, and the shutter speed range is a useful 1-1/2,000th second, plus selectable longer speeds of two, four or eight seconds.

Good metering options are also crucial and the Finecam S5 is reasonably well specified, featuring evaluative full area, centre weighted and spot AF options. Used sensibly, these cover virtually every conceivable need.

One problem I encountered during testing with the spot AF mode was that the focus indicator was only present when using the rear TFT and not when using the optical finder. While it's certainly easier in many respects to compose images using the TFT display, I'd argue that most people at some stage would want to use the optical finder too. Alternatives to the central spot detection are wide AF and a manual setting, based on your estimate, to set between 0.6cm and infinity. It's basic, but may be useful in special circumstances.