Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro: Digital Photography Review
Release of much-anticipated Fujifilm DSLR for early 2007
Fujifilm today announces the development of the FinePix S5 Pro, the keenly-awaited successor to the acclaimed FinePix S3 Pro. In a DSLR market that is much more competitive and dynamic than the one its predecessor was launched into, the FinePix S5 Pro will stand apart from the crowd by combining the much sought-after picture quality of Fujifilm’s Super CCD SR sensor with a fully digital and durable professional metal alloy body. With this superior combination of truly professional handling and image quality, Fujifilm expects the FinePix S5 Pro to appeal to an even broader range of professional photographers.
Fujifilm’s ultimate goal in development of its DSLR cameras has been to maximise image quality through constant research and development into its sensor technology. With the introduction six years ago of its acclaimed Super CCD, Fujifilm moved away from increasing the pixel density of its sensors in favour of image quality developments that increase the overall performance of the sensor. The FinePix S5 Pro will see the refinement of a winning formula – Fujifilm’s Super CCD SR II will be updated to the new Super CCD SR Pro. Using a unique layout of twelve million paired photodiodes (6.17 million larger ‘S’ photodiodes for main image information, combined with 6.17 million smaller ‘R’ photodiodes for bright area information), the S5 Pro will deliver improvements in noise, dynamic range, colour and tonality. Further improving the capability of the sensor, a new, improved low-pass filter will ensure that moiré and noise are kept to an absolute minimum. Fujifilm believes improvements in these key areas will be of more true value to professional photographers – the challenge is quality of information, not quantity of information.
The redesigned Super CCD SR Pro sensor will be at the centre of the camera’s performance. However the new Real Photo Processor Pro will ensure that the information is handled in such a way to produce images that are beautifully vibrant, with colour recorded as the human eye sees it. The processor’s two stages of noise reduction will deliver an impeccably clean image, and also permit light sensitivity up to ISO 3200 whilst achieving sharp, low-noise images. A new dark noise reduction process, subtracting the residual, ambient noise on the sensor from the actual exposure, helps the camera produce smooth, clean images when long shutter speeds are used.
The FinePix S5 Pro will also introduce one particularly sought-after feature; the ability to record jpeg and RAW files simultaneously to the card. This will enable photographers to view and distribute smaller-sized jpegs, whilst retaining the ability to work on the larger RAW files later on a PC or Mac. This dual option is available with a variety of image sizes, giving the option to store either a small, emailable file size, or a larger, more detailed jpeg.
With its predecessor achieving recognition for its excellent ergonomics, the FinePix S5 Pro will take the system into a different league, using a tough, professional magnesium alloy shell. With weatherproof seals, and first-rate design, the S5 Pro will be a camera truly deserving of the term ‘workhorse’, equally at home in the studio as on a nature assignment in a humid rainforest. The camera’s shutter mechanism will be testament to its durability, as it has been tested to exceed the key benchmark of 100,000 cycles.
The FinePix S5 Pro will also afford the user much greater control over the unique image parameters that its technology provides. Six stepped dynamic range settings between 100% (normal dynamic range) and 400% (dynamic range expanded by two stops) will enable the photographer to achieve exactly the tonal feel to their images that they want. In addition, three distinct settings for the ‘negative film’ preset option will further enhance the customisable nature of the camera, giving portrait photographers precisely the ‘look’ that they have in their mind’s eye.
Adrian Clarke, Fujifilm’s Director of Photo Products, said: “The development of the FinePix S5 Pro reflects Fujifilm’s commitment to the professional photographer. We remain determined to develop professional level products with the sort of image quality that made the FinePix S3 Pro a favourite among studio, portrait and wedding photographers. The introduction of the FinePix S5 Pro brings heightened performance, handling and image quality to our DSLR product group and we expect this to attract an increasingly diverse range of professional users. These are exciting times for us.”
Fujifilm’s ultimate goal in development of its DSLR cameras has been to maximise image quality through constant research and development into its sensor technology. With the introduction six years ago of its acclaimed Super CCD, Fujifilm moved away from increasing the pixel density of its sensors in favour of image quality developments that increase the overall performance of the sensor. The FinePix S5 Pro will see the refinement of a winning formula – Fujifilm’s Super CCD SR II will be updated to the new Super CCD SR Pro. Using a unique layout of twelve million paired photodiodes (6.17 million larger ‘S’ photodiodes for main image information, combined with 6.17 million smaller ‘R’ photodiodes for bright area information), the S5 Pro will deliver improvements in noise, dynamic range, colour and tonality. Further improving the capability of the sensor, a new, improved low-pass filter will ensure that moiré and noise are kept to an absolute minimum. Fujifilm believes improvements in these key areas will be of more true value to professional photographers – the challenge is quality of information, not quantity of information.
The redesigned Super CCD SR Pro sensor will be at the centre of the camera’s performance. However the new Real Photo Processor Pro will ensure that the information is handled in such a way to produce images that are beautifully vibrant, with colour recorded as the human eye sees it. The processor’s two stages of noise reduction will deliver an impeccably clean image, and also permit light sensitivity up to ISO 3200 whilst achieving sharp, low-noise images. A new dark noise reduction process, subtracting the residual, ambient noise on the sensor from the actual exposure, helps the camera produce smooth, clean images when long shutter speeds are used.
The FinePix S5 Pro will also introduce one particularly sought-after feature; the ability to record jpeg and RAW files simultaneously to the card. This will enable photographers to view and distribute smaller-sized jpegs, whilst retaining the ability to work on the larger RAW files later on a PC or Mac. This dual option is available with a variety of image sizes, giving the option to store either a small, emailable file size, or a larger, more detailed jpeg.
With its predecessor achieving recognition for its excellent ergonomics, the FinePix S5 Pro will take the system into a different league, using a tough, professional magnesium alloy shell. With weatherproof seals, and first-rate design, the S5 Pro will be a camera truly deserving of the term ‘workhorse’, equally at home in the studio as on a nature assignment in a humid rainforest. The camera’s shutter mechanism will be testament to its durability, as it has been tested to exceed the key benchmark of 100,000 cycles.
The FinePix S5 Pro will also afford the user much greater control over the unique image parameters that its technology provides. Six stepped dynamic range settings between 100% (normal dynamic range) and 400% (dynamic range expanded by two stops) will enable the photographer to achieve exactly the tonal feel to their images that they want. In addition, three distinct settings for the ‘negative film’ preset option will further enhance the customisable nature of the camera, giving portrait photographers precisely the ‘look’ that they have in their mind’s eye.
Adrian Clarke, Fujifilm’s Director of Photo Products, said: “The development of the FinePix S5 Pro reflects Fujifilm’s commitment to the professional photographer. We remain determined to develop professional level products with the sort of image quality that made the FinePix S3 Pro a favourite among studio, portrait and wedding photographers. The introduction of the FinePix S5 Pro brings heightened performance, handling and image quality to our DSLR product group and we expect this to attract an increasingly diverse range of professional users. These are exciting times for us.”
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