Fujifilm launches FinePix S2 Pro SLR

30th January - 2002
By Ian Burley

The Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro was announced the best part of two years ago - an age in the digital camera world and was only the second mainstream digital SLR after Nikon’s D1.

Nikon has, once again, donated the body (the N80 film camera) into which Fujifilm has grafted its digital imaging technology. We haven’t yet had a chance to play with an S2, but from the pictures it looks more compact than the S1. One criticism of the S1 was that its body wasn’t ‘pro’ standard in terms of ruggedness. We’re not sure the S2 answeres that criticism either. Some cynics have been quick to voice an opinion that Nikon doesn’t want a direct competitor to its D1x and D1h pro digicams.

Another problem with the S1 Pro that remains in the S2 is the issue of focal lens shift caused by the small CCD size. It’s still about 1.5x, making a 28mm wide angle more like a 42mm semi-standard lens.

However, there are a lot of detail improvements summarised as follows:

  • New 3rd Generation Super CCD sensor and advanced LSI algorithm (6.17 million effective pixels) producing 12 million recorded pixels (4256 x 2848)
  • Compatible with all AF-D type, AF-G type and AF-S type Nikkor lenses
  • New, hard-wearing body design
  • High ISO values (100-1600)
  • 36MB uncompressed file, 72MB CCD-Raw file (16 bit TIFF-RGB)
    • High speed shooting at up to 2 frames per second
    • Dynamic AF, Dynamic AF with closest-subject-priority, Single Area AF and Focus Tracking
    • Dual IEEE1394 FireWire and USB interface for image transfer and computer-controlled shooting
    • Dual media slots for SmartMedia and Compactflash type II (IBM Microdrive compatible)
    • Cross-ranged, five area Autofocus System
    • 3D Matrix*, Centre-Weighted and Spot Metering
    • 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill Flash
    • Flexible Program mode
    • 18 Custom settings
    • Flash Synch socket (X-type)
    • Voice caption mode

    *With D-type lenses

    Fujifilm UK indicates that the S2 Pro will ship in around July and although no firm price has been fixed, the body only will probably be priced no higher than £3,000. That does make it perilously close to the price of a Nikon D1x.

    What’s your opinion about the S2 Pro? Click here to tell us!

    Also: FinePix S601, S602 details.

    www.fujifilm.co.uk/di

     

     

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