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Fujifilm's FinePix S9000 digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Fujifilm announces 9mpix long-zoom digicam
By
(Thursday, July 28, 2005 - 00:00 EDT)

Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. has today announced a new digital camera model that couples a powerful 10.7x optical zoom lens with category-leading sensor resolution courtesy of a newly developed nine megapixel SuperCCD HR imager.

Of course, resolution is only a small part of the overall picture - and as resolution increases, the difference between successive steps up the megapixel scale become far smaller. Where the FinePix S9000 has a resolution of up to 3,488 x 2,616 pixels, the recently announced Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 offers a resolution of up to 3,264 x 2,448 pixels from its eight megapixel sensor. That amounts to just a 7% increase horizontally or vertically - a lot less than the difference between eight and nine megapixels might suggest. Still, the S9000 looks to have a lot to recommend it beyond the resolution. Fujifilm has received quite a bit of praise for the high ISO performance of recent camera models, and the new camera looks set to continue this trend with a maximum ISO rating of 1600 from its 1/1.6" imager. The camera should also prove swift, with a sub-1 second startup time and 1/100 second prefocused shutter lag. A RAW file format will cater to the needs of advanced amateurs looking to gain maximum detail from their photos, and the powerful lens can focus down to just 0.4 inches.

Other interesting features include a choice of external flash hot shoe and PC sync connector, in-camera warning of blown highlights in photos, dual media slots (CompactFlash / Microdrive and xD-Picture Card), 1.8" LCD display that can tilt up or down for photos from unusual angles, and an electronic viewfinder that can offer frame rates of either 30 or 60 frames per second. The Fujifilm FinePix S9000 will ship in early September, with pricing set at US$699.95.

Fujifilm FinePix S9000
Fujifilm's FinePix S9000 digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera Type SLR-style
Manufacturer Fujifilm
Model Number S9000
Dimensions 5.0 x 3.7 x 5.1"
127.0 x 94.0 x 129.5mm
Weight 646.4 g
22.6 oz
Planned Price $699.95
Planned Availability Sep 2005
Image Capture
Sensor Type 1/1.6" Fujifilm SuperCCD HR
9.24 megapixels (total)
9.00 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio 4:3
Image Dimensions 3488 x 2616 (9.1 megapixels)
5 megapixels
3 megapixels
Capture Speed Continuous: 1.5 frames per second
Image Preview / Review
Viewfinder Yes, 0.44" Color EVF (235K Pixels)
100% field of view
LCD 1.8", 118,000 pixels
100% field of view
Lens
Lens Type Fujinon
10.7x optical zoom
Image Stabilization No
Focal Length 6.2 - 66.7mm (actual)
28 - 300mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Range f/2.8 (wide) / f/4.9 (tele) - f/11
Focusing System TTL Contrast-type with AF assist lamp
Manual Focus possible (0) steps
Focusing Range Normal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 0.4" - 122" (1 cm - 300 cm)
Exposure
ISO Sensitivity Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
Shutter Speed 30 - 1/4000 second
Exposure Modes Program, Aperture, Shutter, Manual
Metering Modes 256-zone multi, spot
White Balance Auto, Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light, Custom , Manual
Internal Flash Modes: Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Sync, Red Eye Reduction + Slow Synchro
Range: Wide: approx. 30 cm-5.6m (1.0 ft.-18.4 ft.); Tele: approx. 60cm-3m (2.0 ft.-9.8 ft.)
Creative
Scene Modes Anti-Blur, Natural Light, Night, Portrait, Landscape
Digital Zoom 2x fixed
Self Timer Yes, 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse No
Movie Format AVI (Motion JPEG) with audio
640x480 and 320x240
Max. frame-rate: 30 frames per second
Storage
Recording Medium CompactFlash Type 1, CompactFlash Type 2, Microdrive, xD Picture Card
File System Complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File Format CCD-RAW, RAW, JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
Connectivity
Video Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
Computer USB 1.1, USB 2.0 High Speed
Other DC In
Power
Battery Type Alkaline disposable or NiMH rechargeable
Battery Form Factor 4 x AA
Product Bundle
Software FinePixViewer, ImageMixer VCD2 LE for FinePix, Raw File converter LE
Battery / Charger 4 x AA alkaline disposable battery
Flash Memory 16.0MB xD-Picture Card
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliant Yes
PictBridge Compliant Yes
Internal Microphone Yes
Internal Speaker Yes
Tripod Mount Yes
Remote Control Yes, Cable release
Operating System Compatibility Windows, MacOS
More Photos
Fujifilm's FinePix S9000 digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix S9000 digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix S9000 digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
Fujifilm's FinePix S9000 digital camera. Courtesy of Fujifilm, with modifications by Michael R. Tomkins. Click for a bigger picture!
 

Original Source Press Release:

ADVANCED PERFORMANCE AT ITS BEST; FUJIFILM'S NEW NINE MEGAPIXEL FINEPIX S9000 DIGITAL CAMERA

Advanced Amateur Model Matches New Sensor with Real Photo Technology for High-Resolution Images with Less Noise

Valhalla, NY, July 28, 2005 – Fujifilm has added another “first” to its imaging legacy with today’s introduction of the SLR-styled FinePix S9000 digital camera, the world’s first nine MegaPixel model for advanced amateur photographers.

Advanced digital photographers have been eagerly awaiting this addition to Fujifilm’s popular S-series line. The FinePix S9000 digital camera boasts 9.0 effective MegaPixels that capture up to 3,488 x 2,616 recorded pixels (9.12 million) – the highest resolution of any consumer-grade camera on the market.

While these record-breaking numbers are impressive alone, Fujifilm understands there is more to a great digital picture than resolution. It is this understanding, along with its rich history of photographic excellence, which drove Fujifilm to incorporate its groundbreaking Real Photo Technology into the FinePix S9000. The company’s latest innovation matches the nine MegaPixel, 5th Generation` Super CCD HR sensor, with a super-sharp Fujinon lens and the RP Processor technology found currently in the critically-acclaimed FinePix F10 digital camera.

A hallmark of Fujifilm’s Real Photo Technology is its ability to reduce the amount of graininess or “noise” in digital pictures. This noise is often apparent in high-resolution photos, particularly those shot at high ISO-equivalent sensitivities. With Real Photo Technology, the FinePix S9000 can take pictures at ISO 1600 -- at full resolution. Other benefits of Real Photo Technology include speed of operation (the FinePix S9000 has a high-speed start-up time of only 0.8 second with shutter lag down to 1/100 second) and longer battery life.

“The unmatched resolution of the FinePix S9000 will garner the most attention. However for those in the know, the most impressive feature of this camera will be its low noise processing,” explained David Troy, Senior Product Manager, Consumer Products, Electronic Imaging Products Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. “High resolution photos suitable for sizable enlargements have often come at the expense of noise, particularly in this style of camera. While we cannot say that noise will be completely eliminated, especially at the highest ISO settings, the apparent amount will be far less than what shooters have come to expect at this level of resolution.”

In addition to offering low noise processing, the new FinePix S9000 is equipped with a bevy of features that will appeal to the photo hobbyist. One of those features is a world-class Fujinon 10.7x wide-angle optical zoom lens that is the equivalent of having a 28-300mm zoom on a 35mm camera. This zoom range is ideal for a wide variety of shooting situations and thus makes the purchase of additional lenses unnecessary.

Other features appealing to the photo hobbyist include:

  • Mode dial with multiple settings, including Anti-Blur that automatically adjust the camera’s ISO settings to combat camera shake and blur and Natural Light for more natural looking photos, particularly in low light
  • A manual zoom that along with the auto exposure and auto focus functions, are operational during full frame (VGA-quality; 30 fps) movie capture
  • The ability to shoot in the RAW file format
  • A Super Macro Mode for pictures up to 0.4-inches
  • Hot shoe and Syncronizing terminal for external flash
  • Live histogram exposure setting checks prior to shooting
  • In-camera highlight warning function that alerts the user to overexposed areas of just-taken pictures
  • Strong auto-focus assist illuminator for quicker focusing in low light
  • Tilting LCD for high and low-angle shooting; adjustable LCD and electronic viewfinder frame rates of 30 frames-per-second or 60 frames-per-second for smoother viewing
  • Dual media slot accepts xD Picture card and CompactFlash/Microdrive

Framing pictures through the FinePix S9000’s LCD as well as its video features should be of particular interest to many advanced amateur digital photographers who want all the controls of a digital SLR camera but are hesitant to lose some of the convenient and useful features commonly found in point-and-shoot cameras.

“An all-in-one camera like the FinePix S9000 is so appealing because it offers the best of both worlds; the photographic controls of a DSLR and the movie mode and LCD framing capabilities of the point-and-shoots,” remarked Troy.

The FinePix S9000 will be available in early September at a price of $699.95.

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 number 15 for U.S. patents granted during 2004, employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and in the year ending March 31, 2005, had global revenues of more than $23.6 billion.

In the United States, Fujifilm is a leader in delivering high quality, easy-to-use imaging and information solutions in the following categories: Digital Imaging Systems, Film and Imaging Systems, Recording/Storage Media, Motion Picture Film, Graphic Arts and Printing Systems and Medical Imaging and Diagnostics Systems. Fujifilm is 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 USA Web site at www.fujifilm.com.

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All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

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