Pentax Optio WS80
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1
Casio EX-Z450
Nikon Coolpix S640
Canon PowerShot S90
Canon PowerShot G11
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7
Canon EOS 7D
Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
FujiFilm S5 Pro
Fujifilm have announced the development of the FujiFilm S5 Pro digital SLR, slated for early 2007 introduction. Looking like it’s based on the Nikon D200 body, the FujiFilm S5 Pro features the same Super CCD SR double pixel sensor as the older S3 Pro.
Fujifilm USA Press Release
Valhalla, NY, September 25, 2006 - Confirming the company’s commitment to professional photographers, Fujifilm today announced the development of the much anticipated Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro digital SLR camera. The new Fujifilm S5 Pro is further affirmation of Fujifilm’s goal to achieve professional D-SLR image quality consistent with Fujifilm’s professional film heritage. The Fujifilm S5 Pro carries a number of features that made its predecessor, the FinePix S3 Pro, so popular with wedding, portrait and studio photographers. One is increased dynamic range from the Super CCD SR double pixel technology (6.17 million S-pixels and 6.17 million R-pixels). The new Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro continues this tradition of expanded dynamic range and goes a step further by coupling the new Super CCD SR Pro sensor with Fujifilm’s new RP (Real Photo) Processor Pro for even more outstanding, film-like results. Moreover, the Fujifilm S5 Pro will house the two technologies in a fully digital and durable metal alloy body frame. This opens the door for Fujifilm’s digital imaging technologies to expand into other applications such as outdoor and high endurance commercial photography.
Photokina Update: We now have some product photos live from Photokina 2006 - just click the link below to view them.
Highlight features of the FinePix S5 Pro include:
Image Processing and Quality
* Real Photo Technology Pro, which combines the Super CCD SR Pro sensor and the RP Processor Pro, allows for the wide dynamic range with smoother tonality from brightest light to darkest shadow. The re-designed new Super CCD SR Pro features an optimized low-pass filter that will reduce the noise and minimize moiré. The newly developed RP Processor Pro features two cycles of noise reduction so photographers can snap pictures at light sensitivities as high as ISO 3200 with less noise than comparable cameras at similar ISOs.
Increased Color and Dynamic Range Control
* Photographers can choose from six preset ranges for greater creative control over the FinePix S5 Pro’s expanded dynamic range between 100% and 400%,
* Three new variations of the original film simulation mode have been added (five modes in total) for improved reproduction of natural skin tones.
Face Detection Technology for post image verification
* At the push of a button, the FinePix S5 Pro’s Face Detection Technology detects up to ten faces in a scene immediately after each image is captured. Photographers can zoom in and confirm facial detail, whether eyes are open or closed, focus and exposure on the FinePix S5 Pro’s LCD monitor.
Other camera functions and features
* Nikon F-mount compatibility with all Nikkor AF-D/G and the latest AF-S optics
* RAW+JPEG (4,256 x 2,848 pixels, 3,024 x 2,016 pixels, 2,304 x 1,536 pixels) dual-save mode
* MAC and PC supported tethered shooting mode via USB 2.0 port and optional HyperUtility software
* Robust, lightweight magnesium-alloy body
* Durable shutter unit stands up to approximately 100,000 releases
* Adoption of high-precision i-TTL flash control
* 11-point AF sensor for consistent, fast and precise focusing. This is an improvement from the FinePix S3 Pro’s 5-point AF sensor
* Supports 1/3, ½, and 1 stop lens aperture control
* Shutter speed 30 sec. to 1/8000 sec., maximum flash sync speed of 1/250 sec.
* Remark function enables addition of comments to an image file by connecting a special bar code reader to the camera body.
* 3 levels of custom Function Locking with password protection
* 2.5 inch LCD with 235,000 pixels with 100% frame coverage featuring color or monochromatic 30 seconds, live view function to check the focusing
* Li-ion rechargeable battery
* Compact Flash™ (CF) Card (Type I / II) and Microdrive™ compatible
Optional Accessories
* LAN Adapter for wireless, high-speed image transfer.
* New Hyper Utility Software for precise editing control of images taken in CCD-RAW
14-bit format. Software also enables PC control of the FinePix S5 Pro.
* Rechargeable Battery
* Battery Charger
* AC Power Adapter
Pentax Optio WS80 Review
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 Review
Casio EX-Z450 Review
Nikon Coolpix S640 Review
Canon PowerShot S90 Review
Pentax K-x
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1
Ricoh CX2
#101 Colin Angus
Hi Nick,
I am still using my S5pro and still have the S3 but the S3 does not hold the battery life like it used to any more.
Just recently bought the Nikon 70-200mm 2.8 lens at the Focus on Imaging show. I am loving it.
I feel the next camera will possibly be the Nikon D700 unless things change again.
Fuji say they are not doing any SLR's now.
Take care
Colin
11:34 am - Friday, April 10, 2009
#102 Jeff Vu
Hi Colin.
On the S3 batteries life subject, no batteries last for ever, i do have a lot of rechargeable batts, but i found that Fuji makes some of the best batts.
I used my S3 in my studio for model and glamour shots, i must say that with my Sigma 70-210mm F2.8 HSM gives me extremely razor sharp images. of course i have to use skin soft from PhotoShop CS4.
I am with you , i'm waiting for the Nikon D700 to drop in price, then i will buy 1 too. I only have 7 DSLRs now, i may need the 8th one soon.
Don't forget about the Sony A900, ok?
Thnxs.
1:20 pm - Friday, April 10, 2009
#103 Colin Angus
Hi Jeff,
No I know no batteries will last for ever and this is why I always carry loads of fully charged ones around with me when on a job. When the S3 pro was being used a lot it would take about 300-400 odd images b4 I had to change the batts but now I have to change them after about 20 shot's.
I will be sticking with Nikon from now on so will have to earn loads of money or hope someone will buy me a D700 lol. I wish lol
2:24 pm - Friday, April 10, 2009
#104 Kevin du Toit
Hi all, I have both a S3 and a S5, my S3 has over 180000 photos to its name, now thats service, the only problem is that the rubber grips are starting to come lose, but so what its earned its keep.
One thing I have discovered is put good glass on these cameras they dont like non Nikon brands, if you want to see image quality straight off the camera try using the Nikon vr 105mm this will let you understand just how good the CCD is on these cameras, Not many experts really understand the Fuji CCD and the way it works.
Can you imagine a full size CCD in this format it would be mind blowning, and have the rest of the camera world on its head.
At an air show and there was a Canon photographer with a Mk 3 shooting at a very high speed, we started to talk, bottom line was, we came back to my place and compared images, guess what this man was very upset when we were finshed, my photos were less but all sharp and with great color and detail in the high and low light areas, even when we photoshoped his photos we could not get the detail that the Fuji produced straight off the camera, he is in fact a well known arial photographer and his success rate was about 25% as where mine was about 95% it just goes to show that speed is not all it is cracked up to be, you cant do anthing with images that are just not sharp enough and a lack of detail in the high and low light areas. The price of his equipment was almost 10 times more expensive than mine, so if you want a camera that gives you the most bang for your buck, the S5 is the one.
I have more than 1700 weddings to my name and there is no other camera for the job, even the new Nikon D3, the S5 still has the edge when it comes to difficult light conditions, ie, Black skin, white dress, on a white beach, under the midday sun, guess what the S5 copes as if it was a walk in the park.
I just wish Fuji would wakeup and produce a full frame CCD.
I am the founder of the Paarl photographic club which now has 27 S5,s and 25 of these use to be Canon owners, I wounder why they changed, or maybe it was because they were tired of all the editing they had to do to get a resonable image, we with the S5 can shoot it straight off the camera.
The Nikon D700, D3 are the only camers getting close to the extreme Low/high light range of the S5 but I find that there photos are still a little flat straight of the camera.
So for the moment and for the money the S5 for my work is tops.
Good shooting Kevin.
3:57 am - Wednesday, April 15, 2009