Fujifilm S3 Pro availability, specs announced
By
Mike Tomkins
(Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 00:24 EDT)
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. has today announced availability and further specifications for its FinePix S3 Pro digital camera.
First announced in the runup to this year's PMA Spring show in Las Vegas, the camera was further detailed a couple of weeks later at the show (where a mockup was displayed), and further specifications were released. Today's announcement should see the camera shipping in the October timeframe. Pricing information is not available yet, but is expected to be announced sometime before then. A number of changes and additions have been made to the specifications - mostly further fleshing out what was originally announced. The most significant additions are: - Adjustable Dynamic Range - it will be possible to adjust the camera's dynamic range, changing the mixing ratio between the camera's "S" and "R" pixels (from discussion with Fujifilm, we understand that this will be achieved by selecting from a number of presets).
- Film Simulation Modes - the camera can replicate various chrome and negative films, presumably by tweaking color response, contrast, saturation etc. - an interesting feature if you want to achieve the look and feel of a particular film type. No details on which film "presets" will be in the camera are yet available.
- Color Spaces - A choice of both sRBG and Adobe RGB color spaces will be available, allowing photos to match your preferred workflow.
- Selectable RAW capture modes - One of the side-effects of Fujifilm's SuperCCD SR sensors, which boost dynamic range by using couplets of "S" and "R" pixels of differing sizes, is that there is twice as much information to store in RAW files as there is with other cameras of equivalent spatial resolution. The S3 Pro will offer its user the ability to "turn off" the expanded dynamic range function, simply discarding the "R" pixel information without losing any resolution, if you don't need the extra dynamic range and want to reduce the RAW file size.
- Start-up speed announced - Fujifilm has now announced the start-up time of the camera. The company says that it will switch from off to ready-to-shoot in one-half second using any compatible media type, including Microdrives (notorious for causing some cameras to take longer to start-up).
Other specifications changes include: - Fujifilm is now referring to the camera's sensor as a "SuperCCD SR II". The extra "II" designation is intended to differentiate the camera's sensor from those used in some of the company's consumer cameras.
- The highest of the three JPEG compression settings (JPEG Basic) has been dropped from the spec sheet.
- A note that some CompactFlash cards may not work properly with the camera's CompactFlash slot has been added.
- CCD-RAW file size has been changed to "undetermined".
- As well as the existing D-type AF lenses, Fujifilm has listed G-type AF Nikkor lenses as not having any restrictions.
- Details of white balance, film simulation, dynamic range, and color / tone / sharpness settings have been added
- Dual shutter release and remote release listed in specs (although these could be determined by looking at the previously available photos of the camera)
- AC adapter model number (AC-5VX) is now listed
- Camera height has been adjusted from 135.3 to 135.5mm.
Full specifications and a number of new product photos are available below, along with the new press release. Once pricing is announced, you'll hear about it on our news page... | Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro |  | | Number of Effective Pixels** | 12.3 million (S-pixel: 6.17 million, R-pixel: 6.17 million) pixels | | CCD Sensor | 23.0 × 15.5mm Super CCD SR with Primary Color Filter. Number of total pixels: 12.9 million (S-pixel: 6.45 million, R-pixel: 6.45 million) pixels | | Number of Recorded Pixels | 4256 × 2848 pixels (12.1 million) / 3024 × 2016 pixels / 2304 × 1536 pixels / 1440 × 960 pixels | | File formats | JPEG FINE/NORMAL (Exif Ver. 2.2), DPOF-compatible
CCD-RAW (14bit)
[Design rule for Camera File system compliant / DPOF-compatible] | | Storage media | Slot No.1: xD-Picture Card™ (16MB to 512MB)
Slot No.2: CF type II (Microdrive™)
Some CompactFlash™ cards may not work properly | | Storage Media
(4256 x 2848 pixels) | | Mode | 512MB | | JPEG (FINE) | Approx. 107 | | JPEG (NORMAL) | Approx. 214 | | CCD-RAW | To be determined | | The number of images will vary slightly depending on the type of subject. | | | Usable lenses | D/G-type AF Nikkor lenses: All functions possible
AF Nikkor other than D/G type: All function except 3D Matrix Metering possible
Non-CPU: Usable in Manual exposure mode (exposure meter cannot be used) | | Picture angle | Approx. 1.5X focal length in 35mm format equivalent | | Exposure modes | P: Auto-Multi Program (Flexible program possible)
S: Shutter-Priority Auto
A: Aperture-Priority Auto
M: Manual | | Shutter speed | 30 sec. to 1/4000 sec, Bulb, Max. 1/180 sec. X-contact | | Advance Function Modes | White Balance: Auto, Custom 1, Custom 2, Sunny, Shade, Fluorescent 1, 2, 3, Incandescent
Film Simulation: Film Simulation F1/ F2
Dynamic Range: Auto, Wide 1, Wide 2, Standard
Color, Tone, Sharpness | | Lens servo | Single Servo AF (S), Continuous Servo AF (C), Manual focus (M)
Focus Tracking automatically activated in subject's status in Single Servo AF (S) or Continuous Servo AF (C) | | Sensitivity | Equivalent to ISO 100 / 160 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 | | Accessory shoe | Hot-shoe contact (Sync contact, Ready-light contact, D-TTL auto flash contact, Monitor contact, GND), Safety lock provided | | Shutter Release | Dual; horizontal and vertical positions | | Remote Release | Yes | | LCD monitor | 2.0-inch, Low-temperature polysilicon TFT (235,000 pixels, wide-type LCD, approx. 100% frame coverage) | | Video output | NTSC / PAL selectable | | Interfaces | USB 2.0 (High Speed) for data storage, IEEE1394 for data storage and shooting | | Power source | 4 AA Ni-MH batteries (sharing power with camera body), AC power adapter AC-5VX | | Dimensions | 147.8 (W) × 135.3 (H) × 80.0 (D) mm/5.9 (W) × 5.3 (H) × 3.2 (D) in. | | Weight | Approx. 835g/29.5 oz. (excluding batteries and lens) | | More Photos |  |  | | . | * Specifications subject to change without notice. ** Number of effective pixels: The number of pixels on the image sensor which receive input light through the optical lens, and which are effectively reflected in the final output data of the still image. Note: The FinePix S3 Pro is compatible with the PictBridge standard.
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Original Source Press Release:
| FUJIFILM ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY AND NEW FEATURES FOR FINEPIX S3 PRO PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL CAMERA Adjustable Dynamic Range, Film Simulation Modes Raise the Bar for Digital SLRs VALHALLA, NY, July 28, 2004 – With the FinePix S3 Pro firmly established at the top of many wish lists, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. today announced that the camera of choice for many wedding, portrait and commercial photographers will be available October 2004 with a number of previously unannounced features, including adjustable dynamic range and film simulation modes. The FinePix S3 Pro represents the culmination of Fujifilm's unmatched professional photography heritage and continuous commitment to technology innovation. Special features that will set the FinePix S3 Pro apart from competitors will be Fujifilm's proprietary Super CCD SR II sensor, new and advanced image processing technology and a number of professional controls developed exclusively for the FinePix S3 Pro. With knowledge culled from years of dedication to the professional photography community, Fujifilm understands that a quality image is about more than just resolution, and thus created the FinePix S3 Pro to bring the digital picture closer to the film standard than ever before. Photographers shooting with the FinePix S3 Pro will experience greater dynamic range, improved tonal capabilities, exceptional color balancing and accuracy and better signal-to-noise ratios, all factors that contribute to a colorful, clear and detail-laden picture. Feature highlights of the FinePix S3 Pro include: - Improved Dynamic Range – A wider dynamic range opens up a whole new world in terms of picture quality, and the unique double photodiode design ( 6.17 million S-pixels and 6.17 million R-pixels) of the Super CCD SR II sensor will produce dynamic range approximately 400% greater than that of CCD working on a single-pixel design, capturing the finest detail in even the highest contrast scenes.
- Adjustable Dynamic Range (New Feature!) – No longer confined within a small, fixed space, professional photographers will have the option to adjust the camera's dynamic range, changing the mixing ratio between the FinePix S3 Pro's “S” and “R” pixels.
- Film Simulation Modes (New Feature!) – A feature unique to the FinePix S3 Pro and one that could only be developed by a company with Fujifilm's experience. Photographers that favor the look and feel of film can replicate the results of various chrome and negative films while shooting digitally with the FinePix S3 Pro.
- Color Spaces (New Feature!) – The FinePix S3 Pro will offer a choice of sRBG and Adobe RGB to generate the color best suited for the job.
- Selectable RAW capture modes (New Feature!) – Sometimes, a smaller file is needed. With the FinePix S3 Pro, the user will be able to “turn off” the expanded dynamic range function without losing resolution.
- Lightning-Fast Start-Up (New Feature!) – Boot time in the blink of an eye. The FinePix S3 Pro goes from off to ready-to-shoot in one-half second – with any compatible media type.
- D-TTL Flash Exposure Metering System – Photographers can take advantage of a host of creative options, even on location, and get outstanding results with all Nikon-compatible speed lights.
- Dual Shutter Release Buttons – Photographers should love the addition of a second shutter release button, situated perfectly for easier vertical shooting.
- High-Speed Dual Image Interfaces: The FinePix S3 Pro provides IEEE 1394 (FireWire) and USB 2.0 interfaces for camera control (IEEE1394 only) and high-speed image transfer.
- 10-Pin Nikon Electric Remote: Standard equipment for a camera in this class
The FinePix S3 Pro package will include Fujifilm's own HS-V2 Hyper-Utility software, a workflow enhancement tool that acts like a digital lightbox, helping photographers pick their best images. Full, updated specifications for the FinePix S3 Pro can be found at www.fujifilm.com/press. About Fujifilm Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. is a subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. and delivers technology solutions to meet the imaging and information needs of retailers, consumers, professionals and business customers. As a global leader in digital imaging, Fujifilm pioneered the development of digital medical systems, and today is the leader in digital minilab systems. The company was ranked in the top ten for U.S. patents granted during the last decade, employs 73,100 people worldwide and in the year ending March 31, 2004, had global revenues of more than $24 billion. In the U.S., Fujifilm is a leader in delivering high quality, easy-to-use imaging and information solutions in the following categories: Digital Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media, Film and Imaging Systems, Motion Picture Film, Graphic Arts and Printing Systems and Medical Imaging and Diagnostics Systems. Fujifilm is committed to being an environmentally friendly, humane enterprise and an exemplary corporate citizen. For more information on Fujifilm products, consumers can call 800-800-FUJI or access the Fujifilm U.S.A. Web site at www.fujifilm.com . # # # All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. |
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