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The Fujfilm FinePix S5 Pro is a new DSLR that Fuji has in development that they are announcing today in the lead up to Photokina. It is set for release 'early 2007' so is still a fair way off production.
It seems to be based upon the Nikon D200 and features an 11 point AF system, 2.5 inch LCD, shutter speeds between 30 seconds and 1/8000 second, 12.34 effective megapixels (Super CCD SR double pixel technology - 6.17MP S-pixels and 6.17 MP R-pixels), ISO of up to 3200, face detection technology, Nikon F-mount and CompactFlash/Microdrive compatibility.
There has been no announcement on price for the Fujfilm FinePix S5 Pro DSLR yet but as we say it is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2007.
Get a Price on the Fujifilm Finepix S5 Pro Digital SLR
DSLR slated for early 2007 introduction
Valhalla, New York, September 25, 2006 -- Confirming the company’s commitment to professional photographers, Fujifilm today announced the development of the much anticipated FinePix S5 Pro digital SLR camera. The new FinePix S5 Pro is further affirmation of Fujifilm’s goal to achieve professional D-SLR image quality consistent with Fujifilm’s professional film heritage.
The FinePix 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 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 FinePix 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.
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
Think Camera has a first look review of the Fujifilm S5 Pro and writes, "The S5 has built in noise reduction like all recent DSLRs. Shooting jpegs you can never be entirely sure that you've turned this off completely. Again this is an area I didn't want to test scientifically only to find that all the results changed at production time. Some add hoc testing puts the S5 way ahead of the D2X for apparent noise. I didn't shoot it directly against a D200 but as a very rough figure I would estimate that the noise is about 1 stop better than the D200 - an S5 picture at 3200 looks as good as or better than a D200 at 1600. Whether the S5 is in the same league as the Canon 5D (our current favourite for low light) remains to be seen."
Digital Camera Info has a first impressions review of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and concludes, "The Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro depends on its image quality – if it's not great, the camera doesn't compete. That makes it difficult to reach a solid conclusion in a first impression because we can only guess about image quality. Our educated guess is that the quality will be strong enough to make the camera competitive, but that's based on Fujifilm's history, not on anything we experienced while handling the camera. That said, it is great that the S5 is based on Nikon's D200. ... Using the D200 platform, and keeping it so much intact, Fujifilm's newest S Pro camera has become much more compelling."
Let's Go Digital has a preview of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and concludes, "The results speak for themselves. Fujifilm S5 Pro knows how to get the best out of pictures, even high ISO pictures, which are always problematic. With these, we see lots of detail and even attractive noise. This last comment probably sounds very strange, but you can almost appreciate the noise with high ISO in the FinePix S5 Pro. It is very similar to the grain in a film, has hardly any annoying colour noise and after it has been treated with noise reduction software, the high ISO end results are fantastic. The additional price that you pay for the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro in comparison to the competition can be clarified at once and will definitely not form a barrier to photographers with high requirements."
CNET Australia has a first take review of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and writes, "We find the S5 Pro chock full with features during our brief hands-on. Pressing the face detection button beside the LCD was supposed to zoom in on up to 10 faces (enabled by an embedded IC chip), but somehow we couldn't get it to work on our unit. In shots without human faces, the image automatically zoomed in on the centre area. ... With an undeniably sturdy body and imaging technology from Fujifilm, the FinePix S5 Pro looks every bit a promising upgrade for advanced amateurs and professionals who want rich tonal graduations and skin tones. Even though the camera is modeled after the Nikon D200, users should be aware of any compatibility issues, especially if they already have a stable of accessories, before shelling out the cash."
PopPhoto has a hands-on review of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and writes, "On our early sample of the camera, noise suppression appeared not to be quite optimal, so we ran a few preliminary noise tests, and found no higher than Low noise through ISO 800. We expect full-production models will better that performance. ... A camera like this one, made up of hardware and software from different manufacturers, runs the risk of turning out a Frankenstein monster, but the FinePix S5 Pro is no such freak. On the contrary, we found its operation smooth and seamless, with easy-to-grasp controls and menus, and help screens aplenty if and when you need them. This is the camera the old S3 Pro should have been -- squared."
Ken Rockwell has a review of the Fuji Fujifilm S5 and writes, "The Fujifilm S5 is a specialized camera for people concerned with color, lighting tone, which are absolutely the most important technical elements of photography. Color is subjective. I prefer my Canons and Nikons for photos of brightly colored junk, while I prefer the Fuji S5 for people photos. Color is the most important aspect of any color photograph. The reason to pay more for the Fujifilm S5 is if you prefer its color. If you don't prefer the color, other cameras are better for less."
ThinkCamera has a full review of the Fuji S5 Pro and writes, "Here's the deal: The pictures rock. People are going to beat themselves up wondering if this is a 12 MP camera or a 6MP camera. That's because the sensor has 12 million or so photo receptors but some of them are more sensitive than others. The closest analogy I can give is that it's like loading both ISO 100 and ISO 400 film at once and then sampling the best bits from each. ... There are things about this camera that drive me mad. OK, it's the menus and especially the zoom on review system. However, I absolutely love the results I get with it and the learning curve isn't too steep."
ePhotoZine has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and writes, "Using the same body as the Nikon D200, the Fuji S5 obviously has to differentiate itself in other ways, and the fact that the CCD and processing engine are completely different means that the cameras do head down very different paths. The headline resolution of the S5 may seem to outstrip the D200, at 12Mp to 10Mp, but this is generated from the SuperCCD SR chip, with its fancy honeycomb design and twin-photo receptors at each photo-site of which there are only 6M. The result is that landscape photos are not as impressive with detail tending to disappear in the distance because it wasn't there in the original image. Also, artefacts from the SuperCCD process are evident right from the start at ISO100, though noise is then well controlled. This then is the key point between the two cameras – if you are shooting predominantly landscape photos then the D200 is a better camera, but for portraits and use in more challenging light, the S5 is more capable."
Trusted Reviews has a review of the Fujifilm S5 Pro and writes, "There’s no getting away from the fact that the S5 interpolates its 12MP images from a 6MP sensor, and when examined closely the results simply don’t have the same fine detail as a similar shot taken with a 10MP camera, and there are interpolation artefacts visible on some shots. ... while the S5 is very good at colour and tone, it’s not so good at fine detail. It’s up to you to decide whether its abilities suit your needs. ... The Fujifilm S5 Pro continues in its predecessors’ tradition of providing superior dynamic range and tonal quality for specialist portrait and wedding photographers, who will be delighted with its outstanding capabilities in these areas, as well as its superb handling, build quality and performance. It’s not really an ideal camera for the general consumer though, so if you’re looking for a similarly-priced general-purpose DSLR you’d be better off buying the Nikon D200 instead."
DigitalCameraInfo has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and writes, "The Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro’s image quality makes it a viable choice for pros and other quality-conscious photographers. Dynamic range, noise and color are all excellent. The S5's mechanicals – a Nikon D200 body, with Nikon autofocus, metering and flash – are also big assets. The drawbacks of the S2 and S3 bodies are gone. The remaining drawback is speed. The shooting rate is glacial, and the camera churns away recording data for minutes at a time when it's shooting RAW files."
CNET has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and writes, " Image quality was impressive, but the S5 Pro's resolving power just can't match the Nikon D200. Colors are generally accurate, and the automatic white balance does a respectable job of neutralizing colors in most normal lighting situations. Studio shooters should note that, as one would expect, our unusually warm tungsten hot lights confounded the S5 Pro's auto white balance. We don't hold that against it, however, since this is the case with many cameras. However, if you have tungsten lights that are near the 3,200K color-temperature range as ours are, you'll need to use the tungsten or manual settings, both of which did an effective job of neutralizing colors with those unusual lights. The S5 Pro does an outstanding job of keeping noise under control. Our test images were nearly noise-free all the way out to ISO 400."
Let's Go Digital has a review of the FujiFilm FinePix S5 Pro and writes, "It is a fine digital SLR camera to work with, with especially excellent image quality. Finally, the unique Fujifilm technology is combined with the appropriate body. It's a DSLR camera which can accommodate, and won't disappoint, most photographers. Moreover, a great advantage is the price, which is less than the D200's price, which is what makes it very interesting. The Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro is not a product for the masses, but will undoubtedly be loved by photographers that want to get the most out of their daily digital workplace. Image quality is still Fujifilm's featured attraction, in one of the most popular bodies found in a DSLR, Nikon's D200."
DPReview has a review of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro DSLR and writes, "Of course no one is going to buy the S5 Pro for its resolution, nor are they likely to be swayed by a few hundred dollars. And you need to be producing serious enlargements to see the D200's sharpness advantage, whereas you can see the S5 Pro's DR advantage and great color even in a postcard print. It's not for everyone, but for studio work, portraits and demanding dynamic range work (such as weddings) it fits a sizeable niche perfectly.The qualities that many users find so attractive in the S5 Pro's output might not all be as immediate, tangible - or quantifiable - as the dynamic range graphs, and you need to be prepared to tailor the settings and put some work into post processing to get the most out of the results, but Fujifilm should be applauded for offering Nikon users a very different approach to image quality."
PhotographyBLOG has a review of the Fujifilm S5 Pro and writes, "Overall the Fujifilm S5 Pro displayed an amazing lack of noise with regard to its images – delivering a performance at ISO 1600 that would be comparable to that from lesser cameras at ISO 400, with ISO 3200 equivalent to the kind of results normally seen at ISO 800. Which means, if you're indeed shooting in low light without flash, as most social photographers worth their salt prefer working these days, the Fujifilm S5 Pro is capable of delivering results that are bang 'on the money'."
ByThom has a review of the Fujifilm S5 Pro and writes, "the S5 Pro is a hands down winner in (un-neutral but) pleasing color and dynamic range. Boy could I have used that shooting white arctic foxes on snow earlier this year. But the lack of speed, some handling issues, and slightly less usable resolution make the S5 Pro more of a specialist than the all-around D200. If you need a specialist that does what the S5 Pro does, you'll love the S5 Pro. That's why, it, too, has found a place in my bag. I don't use it as often, but when I need what it does, nothing else can match it. If I were an event shooter or portrait specialist, I'd probably use it more than I do--there's something quite pleasing about the color rendering of most skin tones (once you get it dialed in with the white balance)."
Steves Digicams reviews the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and writes - 'If you're a portrait photographer I bet you'll love the increased dynamic range and film simulation of the S5 Pro provided by the fourth generation Super CCD. Likewise Fuji's Face Detection Technology is a real time saver in the studio. The S5's body is lightweight, the controls are well-placed, and the grip is very comfortable to hold. The ability to record JPEG and RAW files simultaneously allows you to review smaller-sized images, yet retain the ability to work with the RAW files later. The RP Processor Pro reduces dark noise to deliver a cleaner image, and permit light sensitivity up to ISO 3200. And if you already own Nikon lenses and speedlights, compatibility with the S5 Pro is assured. Or, buy a new compact and lightweight digitally designed lens and you'll have one of the lightest kits on the market.'
Get a Price on the Fujifilm Finepix S5 Pro Digital SLR
Posted by Darren in our Fuji category on September 25, 2006