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Fuji FinePix S2 Pro Fuji updates their digital SLR with a 6 megapixel CCD, with the same excellent color... Select a topic Reference: Datasheet FinePix S2 Pro Sample Images --------------------------------- 1. Intro and Highlights 2. Executive Overview 3. Design 4. Viewfinder 5. Optics 6. Exposure & Flash 7. Shutter Lag & Cycle Time Tests 8. Operation & User Interface 9. Camera Modes & Menus 10. Image Storage & Interface 11. Video, Power, Software 12. Test Results & Conclusion --------------------------------- Print-Friendly Review Version Additional Resources and Other Links Reader Comments --------------------------------- Digital Camera Comparometer (TM) --------------------------------- <-- Digital Cameras (Home) <-- Digital Camera Reviews Index <<Image Storage & Interface :(Previous) | (Next): Test Results & Conclusion>> Page 11:Video, Power, Software Review First Posted: 7/24/2002

Video Out

The US version of the S2 includes a video out jack and connection cable, offering NTSC-formatted video output. I assume that European models support PAL timing and is accompanied by the appropriate cable. Connecting the video output provides a signal to an external device, without disabling the internal LCD display screen. All images that would normally appear on the LCD are also routed to the external video display so that the television screen becomes an enlarged version of the LCD monitor and can be used for image playback and preview.

Power

For power, the S2 uses four AA rechargeable NiMH batteries and two CR123A lithium batteries. The AA cells power the digital parts of the camera, while the lithium cells run the camera functions such as autofocus, shutter and flash. From my own experience, I can say that, in addition to the normal extra set of NiMH AA cells, you'll definitely want to pack along a spare set of CR123A's: After several days of intense shooting, I was puzzled by the cameras sudden lack of response, and somewhat confusing error messages in the top LCD readout. It turned out that LOTS of autofocus operation plus a goodly dose of flash exposures had drained the lithium cells. The camera can run solely from the AA cells though, if you can get by without the flash. - I'd really like to see a setup that would do away with the second set of batteries, but the good news is that AA battery life is really excellent.

An external AC adapter is available as an accessory and plugs into the DC port on the left side of the camera, which is covered by a small, flexible plastic flap. I should mention that the ability to almost completely rely on the smaller LCD panels for changing camera settings is a tremendous power saver. There's also an Auto Off feature that lets you set the camera to turn itself off after a brief period of inactivity. Bottom line, keep an extra set or two of Lithium cells on hand at all times, but you should be able to shoot all day on a single set of high-capacity NiMH AAs. Here's my usual table with power consumption in various operating modes and projected runtimes for each based on high-capacity NiMH AAs.

Operating Mode	Power Drain at 5v	Estimated Minutes Runtime, 4x1600 mAh AA batteries
Capture Mode, w/LCD	n/a	n/a
Capture Mode, no LCD	132 mA	700
Half-pressed shutter w/LCD	n/a mA	n/a
Half-pressed w/o LCD	160 mA	575
Memory Write (transient)	282 mA	n/a
Flash Recharge (transient)	n/a (drains lithium cells)	n/a
Image Playback	387 mA	238

 
These power numbers are very low for a high-end digicam, in part because there is no mode where both the CCD and LCD are active at the same time. The combination of no LCD viewfinder and accurate optical one means that you should be able to stay away from the power-hungry color LCD screen most of the time. If you're able to do that, the 132 mA operating power is very low, and a good set of high-capacity NiMH AA cells should last for a good 10 hours+ of nonstop (and non-LCD) operation. Even in playback mode, worst case run time should be nearly 4 hours. Very nice!

Included Software

The software they didn't include...

(But that you should) Few people realize just how *much* you can improve your digicam images through clever processing in Photoshop. Greatly (!) increased sharpness, reduced noise, and even ultra-wide dynamic range (light-to-dark range) by combining multiple exposures. Fred Miranda and uber-Photoshop expert Fred Miranda has packaged some of his Photoshop magic in a collection of powerful and affordably priced "actions." Check out his site, the results are pretty amazing!

The S2 is accompanied by both USB and FireWire cables for connection to a PC or Mac. Included software CD offer Adobe Photoshop Elements, USB drivers, Fuji's FinePix Viewer, a raw file converter, VideoImpression, and Apple QuickTime 5.0. Fuji's software provides the basics for downloading and browsing images, while Photoshop Elements provides good image-manipulation capability. I applaud Fuji for including software for converting the RAW image files to other formats in the box, at no added charge, although I haven't had a chance to test it yet, as the box with my eval unit in it was missing the software CD.

In the Box
The Fuji S2 Pro ships to the US market with the following items in the box. (Note that overseas models may have very different complements of software and accessories.)

• The Camera (no surprise there)
• Shoulder Strap
• 4x AA alkaline batteries, 2x CR123A Lithium batteries
• USB Cable
• IEEE 1394 (FireWire) cable
• Video Cable
• Body Cap, eye piece cap, LCD cover
• Software CD