Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro is the latest Digital SLR camera (announced 26.09.06) from Fujifilm featuring 12.34 megapixel Super CCD SR Pro, 11 point AF system, ISO of up to 3200, hutter speed 30 sec. to 1/8000 sec with maximum flash sync speed of 1/250 sec., and a 2.5 inch 235,000 pixels LCD Screen. The camera is scheduled for launch in February 2007 at a price of $1,999.
PopPhoto reviews the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro and writes; “The camera produces both sharp and smooth rendering of detail,
with little if any jagged edges at the limits of resolution, resulting
in what are best described as creamy images. It also offers an
extensive array of imaging controls, including film-emulation modes,
any of which can be captured with a simultaneous RAW file….this is not
really a sports shooter’s camera. The S5 will no doubt please its
intended audience — wedding and portrait shooters. The bigger question
is whether it will appeal to the broader market of serious amateur
photographers.”
TrustedReviews reviews the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro (rating: 8/10) and writes; “So does it work? Does the S5 Pro actually produce better colour
and tonal range than an equivalent SLR with a conventional CCD? The
short answer is yes, but at a price. I found that in exact comparison
shots with the Nikon D40x which I still have, and with my own Sony
A100, the S5 produced roughly two stops of extra dynamic range, with
enhanced shadow detail and highlights…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. “
“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. Get an S5 if you do people photography.”
ThinkCamera have a preview of the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro where they write; “For anyone thinking of buying a D200 - don’t. Estimated street
price of an S5 is about £1,000. D200s change hands for about £870.
Several hours with a pre production S5 made me think that extra £130 is
worth it - you get D200 build quality, Fuji colours and an extra stop
of usable images in low light. When the S5 is ready one of three things
will happen: 1. Something will go wrong and the S5 won’t be as good as
my sample - at that point you can buy a D200 secure in the knowledge
you made the right choice. 2. The S5 will be pretty much the same as
the D200 or not so much better that the extra money isn’t worth it - so
you get to choose whether to spend the extra money or not. 3. The S5
will be declared a better camera than the D200 - at which point you can
buy an S5 or snap up a D200 as the price falls, My money isn’t on
either of the first two options. So, don’t buy a D200 right now.”
