The FinePix S3 Pro is the latest in Fujifilm's line of digital SLR cameras. Only the most serious of photographers will consider spending $2499 for just the body of a camera, but if you have an existing array of Nikon-compatible accessories, the S3 Pro can make a good addition to your collection.
At the heart of the S3 Pro is Fujifilm's new 12.3-megapixel Super CCD SR II sensor. Because it has equal numbers of small and large pixels, the company says, it can capture a wider dynamic range, much as fine and coarse grains in traditional films react to different levels of light.
In theory, this should yield more detail in the shadows and highlights of high-contrast photographs. Also, by emphasizing one pixel size over the other as it processes the image, the camera can simulate the effect of different film types, where grain sizes occur in different proportions.
Unfortunately, in our tests of a shipping unit, we failed to see as dramatic an advantage as we'd expected from the extended dynamic range. We especially had hoped to see more detail in shadows. Still, the S3 Pro was a solid performer.
Put to the Test
The S3 Pro scored lower than the best fixed-lens cameras when we put it through its paces in the PC World Test Center, but that's largely because we test all cameras at their default automatic settings to give a level playing field. Since SLRs typically require more manual input by design (and often underexpose by default), they tend to score lower in our tests.
The S3 Pro's lab results were nearly as good as those of our top-rated digital SLR, the 8.2-megapixel Canon EOS 20D. Our mannequin photo, which we take using the camera's built-in flash, was a little dark, and our still life could have been sharper across the whole frame. Small fonts in our resolution test were easy to read, and there were relatively few interference and moiré patterns.
The camera performed better in our informal testing. In bright sunlight, with the camera cranked up to its widest dynamic setting (as recommended by Fujifilm), we shot some excellent portraits at a local media event. Even though we hadn't used fill-in flash, there was still plenty of detail in facial shadows around the eyes, nose, and chin. Skin tones, razor burn and blemishes all came out looking natural.
In another test we shot the same architectural scene with both the S3 Pro and a similarly equipped 6.3-megapixel Canon EOS 10D, using several equivalent exposures for each camera. There, we saw only minimal differences in shadows, highlights, and color range.
Easy to Hold
Like many professional-quality SLRs, the S3 Pro has a square body with plenty of rubber surfaces that make it easy to grip. Fujifilm has tried hard to make it easy to operate, too: Many of the controls will feel familiar to Nikon users, such as finger and thumb dials for setting aperture and shutter speed. There's also a secondary shutter release button for vertical shooting.
You can easily change many settings, including white balance, quality, and autofocus mode, using four function buttons located below the monochrome status LCD on the back of the camera. This reduces the number of dedicated buttons, and simplifies the setup menus you view on the bright, 2-inch color display. (The function buttons work so well, it's a shame they don't do even more.) Nevertheless, the camera feels a little cluttered, with too many types of control. For example, the shutter release mode switch is hidden under the exposure mode dial.
Professional photographers will be comfortable with the S3 Pro's shutter-priority, aperture-priority, and full manual exposure modes. You get a single automatic program for setting an optimal exposure, and you can adjust this setting with the command dial. Unlike many consumer-oriented digital SLRs, the S3 Pro offers no scene modes (such as for portraits, landscapes, or macro shots); such modes can be handy for casual use or when you need to react quickly to changing conditions. One unusual feature of this camera allows you to apply multiple exposures to the same image.
Solid Battery Life, Lots of Accessories
The S3 Pro exceeded the maximum 500 shots in our battery tests (we imposed this limit to preserve our technician's sanity) on a single charge of its four AA-size nickel metal hydride cells. A compact charger with a fold-out power plug comes with the camera, and you can use regular alkaline batteries in an emergency.
The S3 Pro's F-mount lens fitting makes it compatible with Nikon lenses. Our test unit came with a $400 (street) Nikon-compatible 24-135mm zoom lens made by Tamron. The camera has a built-in flash, and its hot shoe takes Nikon D-TTL flash units (but not the new i-TTL models).
You can store your shots on both XD-Picture Card and Compact Flash (including Microdrive) media cards, but if you're shooting in RAW mode, be prepared for images as large as 25MB. You get both USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and FireWire ports for downloading images to your PC; you can also use the latter port to control shooting from the computer interactively.
If you already shoot with your digital SLR heavily customized--with settings such as color temperature, white balance, and contrast--you'll enjoy using the Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro. Though its extended dynamic range doesn't have quite the impact we had hoped for, it does offer professional-level photographers even more control over how the camera processes images. Of course, to buy this camera you'll need a professional photographers budget, too.
Advanced camera produces top-notch photos and will appeal to photographers who already have a stash of Nikon lenses.
$2499
www.fujifilm.com
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