Fujifilm FinePix S1

January 6, 2014 | Mark Goldstein | Digital Compact Cameras | Comment |

The Fujifilm FinePix S1 is the world’s first weather-resistant bridge camera. The Fujifilm S1 offers everything you could want from a bridge camera, including a powerful 50x image-stabilised optical zoom lens, wireless communication, Full HD movie function - all wrapped in a robust dust and water-resistant body. The Fujifilm FinePix S1 will be on sale from January 2014 for £399.99.

Fujifilm UK Press Release

Fujifilm launches the world’s first weather-resistant bridge camera, the FinePix S1

FUJIFILM is delighted to announce the launch of the world’s first weather-resistant bridge camera in the shape of the new FinePix S1(*1). Brimming with new technologies to improve picture taking and advance creativity, the S1 offers everything you could want from a bridge camera, including a powerful 50x image-stabilised optical zoom lens, wireless communication, Full HD movie function – all wrapped in a robust dust and water-resistant body.

Keep on shooting when others quit

When the heavens open, most compacts and bridge cameras will find themselves quickly stowed in bags and pockets for protection, but the S1 is different. Thanks to its weather-resistant body .It can be used in wet weather or dusty conditions without the usual worries, and keep shooting while other photographers miss those all-important shots. The lens-body integrated design and sealing on approximately 70 areas are designed to allow field photography without typical worries about the weather, season or general shooting environment.

High quality, versatile lens design

The S1 features a newly developed Fujinon 50x optical zoom lens (24-1200mm equivalent(*2)) with a bright F2.8-F5.6 aperture range and 3.0-stop (*3) lens-shift image stabilisation. The wide zoom range and additional Super Macro mode (which allows users to focus on subjects as close as 1cm) offers a huge array of shooting styles from wide angle scenic shots to tightly cropped telephoto framing.

By effectively arranging the 2 aspherical and 4 ED lenses in a structure of 13 elements in 11 groups, high image quality is successfully achieved with reduced aberration, while superb sharpness is achieved from the centre to the edges throughout the zoom range. Fujinon’s unique multi-layer coating technology, Super EBC, is applied to reduce ghosting and flare, and crisp, clear photos can be shot even under severe shooting conditions such as backlighting.

Taking the possibilities even further is Fujifilm’s 100x Intelligent Digital Zoom, which due to its newly developed signal processing, offers image quality comparable to that achieved with the optical zoom. And to make working at such high magnifications even easier, there’s a new zoom-out button which lets users check the framing by quickly widening the field of view when the subject is lost.

Smoother pictures and faster shooting

By combining a newly developed noise reduction system with its 1/2.3-inch 16.4 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor, the S1 can shoot bright, clear photos in dark scenes at sensitivities of up to ISO 12,800 (*4). The parallel processing of the S1’s new multi-CPU processor has also improved responsiveness with a maximum AF speed of 0.14sec (*3), start-up time of approximately 0.68sec (*5), shooting interval of approximately 0.65sec and maximum continuous shooting speed of approximately 10.0fps (*3). This, aided by the S1’s use of SD cards that comply with the high-speed interface standards UHS-1, meaning it’s possible to shoot images at a fast speed and not miss any shooting opportunities.

Improved movie recording

The S1 offers high-precision, Full HD (1920 x 1080, 60p) movie recording and its newly developed 5-Axis Image Stabilisation and 3D Noise Reduction have greatly improved performance when shooting video.

The optical and electronic 5-Axis Image Stabilisation reduces blurring from vertical, horizontal and rotational movement during video capture, which often occurs when walking, and further smoothness is applied by a side lever which can set the zoom speed in two levels. This side lever allows users to smoothly and freely operate the zoom with their left hand, while operating the shutter button with their right, and in its high-speed mode, the camera can quickly zoom in the subject.

The 3D Noise Reduction function uses multiple frames to improve image quality at high sensitivity settings and makes exposing your videos easier, the FinePix S1 also has a Movie Scene Recognition function, which automatically sets the correct exposure for the conditions so users can concentrate on shooting. Eight of the Advanced Art Filter modes can be applied to movies for additional creativity, and filming is quicker than ever before thanks to a dedicated Movie button. To top it off, there’s an integrated Slow Motion movie mode with high-speed shooting of up to 480 frames-per-second.

To speed up editing, the S1 also offers selected movie processing functions, such as Movie Trimming which trims parts of the movie and Movie Join which merges movies shot separately and saves them as one movie file to allow easier in-camera editing. The quality of sound recording when shooting movies has been improved, too, with wind filter and quiet lens design (during zoom and AF) integrated.

Shoot and share the wireless way

The Fujifilm S1 also offers remote shooting via a smartphone or tablet (*6), and photos and movies can easily sent to smartphones and computers using the same Wi-Fi connectivity.

Just download and install the newly-developed Fujifilm Camera Remote app, then press the dedicated Wi-Fi button on the camera and users can make the most of wireless LAN communication with the camera, not only shooting remotely from a device, but also zooming in or out to fine-tune compositions and shooting movies, too (*7).

Images are just as easily sent to smartphones and tablets where they can be viewed in all their glory and the S1’s Wi-Fi communication also enables easy backup of pictures and video to a computer.

Great features mean great pictures

The Fujifilm S1 is no slouch when it comes to features with everything required by today’s demanding photographers onboard and easy to use. Its electronic viewfinder has a  920k-dot resolution for better reproduction of the scene in strong sunlight and its large, clear vari-angle LCD means images can be composed more easily at low angles, such as when shooting flowers or high up when filming subjects over a crowd of people.

To ensure sharp images when focusing manually, there’s also a Focus Peak Highlight function, which emphasises the outline of the subject and any other areas with high contrast when they’re brought into focus, and the S1 also shoots in RAW mode for more latitude in the development of pictures.

Thanks to the C (custom) setting alongside the usual P, A, S, M functions on the Mode dial, the user can save regular settings and switch to them quickly, while there’s also a Function button which registers shortcuts to settings such as white balance or ISO sensitivity.

To aid creativity, multiple aspect ratios are also available, including 1:1, 3:2, 4:3 and 16:9, and the S1’s Advanced filters allow users to indulge their artistic expression in-camera; there are 10 different artistic effects to choose from, with Pop Color, Toy Camera, Miniature, Partial Color, High Key, Soft Focus, Cross Screen, Dynamic Tone, Fish Eye, Low-Key on offer.

The S1 allows high-speed, multi-frame processing too, for recording two or more shots at different exposures and then combining them to achieve High Dynamic Range (HDR) results. Alongside this, its Motion Panorama 360 mode lets users create a 360º panoramic shot just by pressing the shutter button and turning around in a circle. This is simple to use and the effect is superb, particularly for landscape shots.

Completing the picture is the S1’s Interval Shooting function which automatically fires the shutter at regular intervals defined by the user. Shots can be taken up to 10 minutes apart for a maximum shooting time of 6 hours.

Dedicated accessories

The S1’s lens hood (LH-S1) and Adapter Ring (AR-S1) further support picture taking by enabling the attachment of 72mm filters. Its battery charger (BC-85A) means a spare battery can be charged at the same time as using the camera, and the S1 can also be charged from a computer via a USB cable or from the outlet by using the accessory AC power adapter, meaning charging is easy at almost any time. Low power consumption and high battery capacity have enabled shooting up to approximately 350 photos (*3).

Fujifilm FinePix S1 key features list:

Robust dust and weather-resistant bridge camera
50x image stabilised optical zoom lens (24-1200mm equivalent)
1cm super macro mode
5-Axial Image stabilisation
1/2.3-inch 16.4 megapixel backlit CMOS sensor
AF speed of 0.14sec (*3)
Start-up time of approximately 0.68sec (*5)
Shooting interval of approximately 0.65sec
Maximum continuous shooting speed of approximately 10.0fps (*3)
920K dot EVF
Vari-angle LCD screen
Time Lapse Interval Shooting function (up to every 10mins for 6hrs max)
10 Artistic Advanced Filters
Wi-fi connectivity
Full HD Movie recording

*1  Among lens-integrated cameras with more than 50x optical zoom (as of November 2013, based on Fujifilm data)

*2: 35mm format equivalent

*3: According to CIPA (Camera & map; Imaging Products Association) standards.

*4: Image size is size S.

*5: Quck Start made is set to ON. (24min./ 10min.) .

*6: AndroidTM smartphones and tablets, iPhone/iPad.

*7: Image size is 640×480.

FinePix S1 Specification Chart

FinePix S1

Number of effective pixels

16.4 million pixels

Image sensor

1/ 2.3-inch CMOS with primary color filter
Total number of pixels: 16.8 million pixels

Storage media

Internal memory (approx.37MB) /
SD/SDHC/SDXC(UHS-I) memory card *1

File format  
                   (still image)

JPEG (Exif Ver 2.3 *2), RAW (RAF format), RAW+JPEG
(Design rule for Camera File system compliant / DPOF-compatible)

                   (movie)

Movie File Format : MOV
Movie Video Compression : H.264
Audio : Linear PCM  Stereo

Number of recorded pixels

L: <4:3>4608 × 3456  <3:2>4608 ×3072 <16:9>4608×2592 <1:1> 3456 x3456
M:<4:3>3264 × 2448 <3:2>3264 × 2176 <16:9>3264×1840 <1:1> 2432 x2432
S:<4:3>2304× 1728 <3:2>2304 × 1536 <16:9>1920×1080 <1:1> 1728 x1728
Motion Panorama
360 Vertical:11520×1624  Horizontal:11520×1080
180 Vertical: 5760x1624    Horizontal:5760 x 1080
120 Vertical:3840×1624  Horizontal:3840×1080

Lens   

Fujinon 50 x optical zoom lens

            focal length

f=4.3mm - 215mm, equivalent to 24mm - 1200mm on a 35mm format

            full-aperture

F2.8(Wide) - F5.6 (Telephoto)

            constitution

13 elements in 11 groups
(includes 2 aspherical and 4 extra low dispersion elements)

Digital zoom

Intelligent digital zoom approx. 2.0× (up to approx. 100 ×, with 50x optical zoom)

Aperture

F2.8 - F11(Wide)
F5.6 - F11(Telephoto)  1/3EV step 

Focus distance
(from lens surface)

Normal:
Wide: Approx. 40 cm to infinity/ 1.3 ft  to infinity,
Telephoto: Approx. 1.5m to infinity/ 4.9 ft to infinity
Macro:
Wide: Approx. 5 cm - 3.0 m /2.0 in.- 9.8 ft.
Telephoto: Approx. 1.3 m - 5.0m /4.3 ft - 16.4 ft
Super Macro: Wide:
Approx. 1cm-  1.0m /0.3 in.- 3.3 ft.

Sensitivity

AUTO/AUTO(400)/AUTO(800)/AUTO(1600)/AUTO(3200)
Equivalent to ISO 100/200/400/800/1600/3200/6400*/12800* (Standard Output Sensitivity)
*ISO6400 is effective in  image size M or S. ISO12800 is effective in  image size S.

Exposure control

TTL 256-zone metering ; Spot, Multi, Average

Exposure mode

Programmed AE,  Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE, Manual exposure

Shooting  modes
(Scene Position)

Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Night (Tripod), Fireworks, Sunset, Snow, Beach, Party, Flower, Text

 (MODE DIAL)

SR AUTO, AUTO, Adv., SP ,Panorama, P, S, A, M, Custom

Image Stabiliser

Lens shift type

Anti Blur mode

Face detection

Yes

Exposure compensation

-2.0EV-+2.0EV  1/3EV step

Shutter speed

(Auto mode) 1/4 sec. to 1/2000 sec. ,
(All other modes) 30sec. to 1/2000 sec. with mechanical shutter

Continuous shooting       (TOP)
 *The frame rate and the recorded number of frames varies with shooting conditions .

H: approx. 10 fps   max. 9 frames
M: approx. 5.0 fps   max. 9 frames
S: approx. 3.0 fps   max. 9 frames
* Use a card with SD Speed Class with "Class10" or higher.

                                      (others)

Best Frame capture:
H:approx. 10 fps  9 frames
M:approx. 5.0 fps   9 frames
L:approx. 3.0 fps   9frames
* Use a card with SD Speed Class with "Class10" or higher.

Auto bracketing

AE Bracketing ±1/3EV, ±2/3EV, ±1EV

Focus    (mode)

Single AF/Continuous AF/MF

(type)

TTL contrast AF, AF assist illuminator available

(AF frame selection)

Center, Multi, Area, Tracking

White balance

Automatic scene recognition
Preset: Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light, Custom

Self-timer

10 sec./2 sec. delay,

Interval shooting

Interval  :10min/5min/60sec./30sec./15sec
Shooting duration:6hr/3hr/2hr/60min/30min/10min/5min

Flash

Manual pop-up flash (i-Flash)

 

Effective range: (ISO AUTO)
Normal
Wide: approx. 45 cm - 8.0m/ 1.4 ft. - 26.2 ft.,
Telephoto: approx. 3.5 m - 4.0 m/ 11.4 ft. - 13.1 ft.
Macro
Wide: approx. 30 cm - 3.0 m/ 0.9 ft. - 9.8 ft.,
Telephoto: approx.2.0 m - 4.0 m/ 6.5 ft. - 13.1 ft.

Flash modes

Red-eye removal OFF: Auto, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synchro.
Red-eye removal ON: Red-eye Reduction Auto, Red-eye Reduction & Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Red-eye Reduction & Slow Synchro.

Hot shoe

YES( dedicated  TTL Flash compatible)

Electronic Viewfinder

0.2-inch., approx. 920K-dot, color LCD viewfinder, approx. 97% coverage for shooting, 100% for playing back

LCD monitor

3.0-inch, approx. 920K-dot, vari-angle type TFT color LCD monitor, approx. 97% coverage for shooting, 100% for playing back

Movie recording

Full HD 1920x1080 60p  (max. 15min.)
HD 1280x 720 60p (max. 24min.)
640×480 30p
with stereo sound, Wind filter
Optical zoom function can be used.
* Use a card with SD Speed Class with "Class10" or higher.

Photography functions

SR AUTO, High Speed Movie (120/240/480  frames/sec), Adv. mode (Advanced Filter for still image : Toy camera / Miniature/ Pop color / High-key / Low-key / Dynamic tone / Soft Focus/ Cross  Screen/ Fish-eye / Partial color, Advanced filter for movie : Toy camera / Pop color / High-key / Low-key / Dynamic tone / Soft Focus / Fish-eye / Partial color, Pro Low-Light, HDR, Natural Light & with Flash, Zoom Bracketing), Custom mode, Focus Peak Highlight, Framing Guideline, Frame No. memory, Histogram Display, Date Stamp, Reverse Display

Playback functions

Multi-frame playback (with micro thumbnail), Protect, Crop, Resize, Slide show, Image rotate, histogram display, exposure warning, Photobook assist, Image search, Favorites, Mark for upload, Erase selected frames, Movie edit

Other functions

PictBridge, Exif Print,
35 Languages, Time difference, Silent mode

Wireless transmitter   
               ( standard)

IEEE 802.11b/g/n (standard wireless protocol)

               (access mode)

Infrastructure

Wireless function

Geotagging / Wireless communication (Image transfer) / View & Obtain Images / Remote camera shooting / PC Autosave

Terminal       (Video output)

       (Digital interface)

USB2.0(High-Speed) Micro USB terminal

                         (HDMI output)

HDMI Mini connector (Type  C)

                         (Audio input)

Power supply

Li-ion battery NP-85  (included)

Dimensions

133.1  (W) ×  90.9  (H) × 110.3 (D) mm / 5.2(W)×3.6(H)×4.3(D)in.

Weight

Approx.680g / 24.0 oz. (including batteries and memory card)

 

Approx. 640 g /  22.6 oz. (excluding batteries and memory card)

Operating Temperature

0℃-40℃ (+32°F - +104°F)

Operating Humidity

10%-80% (no condensation)

Battery life for still images*3
(approximate number of frames that can be taken with a fully-charged battery)

Approx. 350 frames  (AUTO mode)

Accessories included

Li-ion battery NP-85
AC adapter AC-5VT
Plug adapter
USB cable
Hot shoe cover
Shoulder strap
Lens cap and Lens cap cord
CD-ROM*4
Owner's manual

Optional accessories

Li-ion battery NP-85
Battery charger BC-85A
Shoe Mount Flash EF-42/EF-20/EF-X20
Remote release RR-90
Protector Filter PRF-72
Lens hood LH-S1
Adapter ring AR-S1

# *1 Please see the Fujifilm website to check memory card compatibility.   

# *2 Exif 2.3 is a digital camera file format that contains a variety of shooting information for optimal printing.

# *3 Approximate number of frames / period that can be taken with a fully-charged battery based on CIPA standard.

# *4 OS compatibility

    Viewer software: Windows 8/7/Vista/XP

    Raw File Converter (only for FinePix S1): Windows 8/7/Vista/XP , Mac OS X 10.6- OS X 10.9                                          

UK AVAILABILITY AND PRICING:

The FinePix S1 will be on sale from January  2014. Its UK SRP will be £399.99.

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