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Finepix S3 Pro
Following in the footsteps of the somewhat successful S2 Pro, Finepix S3 Pro encompasses the Nikon F-mount SLR lenses and a 6-megapixel Fujifilm sensor. Interestingly, this sensor makes use of two photo detectors per pixel and offers a better, more dynamic range than many other dSLR’s.
Designed in impressive black, S3 Pro is shade larger than many other entry-level dSLR’s having dimensions of 147.8 x 135.3 x 78.5 mm. It weighs also slightly on the heavier side at 815 g (minus the battery and media card). But importantly, gripping the camera is comfy and the build quality also is good.
Controls are present for exposure compensation, bracketing, and flash mode. Some other crucial functions are accessed by a ‘Func’ button while many of the not so significant features can be found in the menus. The menus can be puzzling initially but only as long as you don’t get used to it.
S3 Pro encompasses several impressive features. Among them, you will find the standard exposure modes, flash modes, exposure compensation, autoexposure bracketing, metering modes and white balance settings. Moreover, options for sharpening images, altering the contrast and color saturation are also present in S3.
ISO sensitivity of the camera ranges between 100- 1600.
Images are saved in the JPEG format at two compression levels and four resolutions. Pictures can be stored on a CompactFlash Type I or II card, a Microdrive, or an xD-Picture Card which has the maximum capacity of 512MB.
Coming to the performance, boot-up time of the camera is not great at 0.9 seconds while recycling is also of similar duration. In bright conditions, the shutter lag observed is 0.4 seconds while in dim light it takes 0.6 seconds.
S3 Pro has a 2-inch LCD which is very clear in sunlight and displays the whole image. Even the viewfinder is useful as is exposes almost the entire picture to be shot.
Picture quality delivered by S3 Pro is of the highest order. The camera can take excellent prints up to a maximum size of 11x14. The images look great in both bright light and the dark. Flash shots were very much comprehensive with very little signs of overexposure. Good colour interpretation makes the pictures look natural and there isn’t too much fringing either.
Amazingly, even at ISO 1600, there is not much noise disturbance. The autofucus function is reasonably useful especially in the dark thanks to the AF assist lamp.
Providing superior image quality and excellent, easy to use functions, S3 Pro will certainly cater to both the amateur and professional photographers.
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Not as good as expected
I’ve never rated Fuji really highly. But still having used quite a few of their cameras I was aware that their offerings are reasonably good. But the Finepix S3 Pro certainly doesn’t fall in that category. In fact, I don’t even think it deserves to be called a pro camera. Anyways, still it is named as one, I wud like to tell the readers that this camera is sturdily built, one of the few positives according to me. Otherwise, the LCD display is dreadful for shot framing. And there are too many faults with the picture quality and camera capturing features. Pictures are especially poor in the night conditions. Think twice or thrice before u buy it.
User Rating : 3 /10  (
by :
rollypolly on
Wed, 26 Oct 2005 12:10:16 GMT
)
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- 100% 
