Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro review

What you need to know

Reviewed by: Eamon Hickey

Reviewed on: 15 June 2005

Tags: Fujifilm, Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro, xD-Picture Card, brightness, Adobe RGB

We like:

The widest dynamic range we've seen in a dSLR; top-notch overall out-of-camera image quality; histograms for both luminosity and individual colour channels; D-TTL flash exposure control and PC terminal

We don't like:

Skimpy buffer when using wide dynamic range mode; ISO setting clumsily located on main mode dial; exposure controls operate only in half-stop increments; somewhat heavy-handed noise reduction in ISO 1,600 JPEGs

You might also need:

A CompactFlash Type I or II card, a Microdrive, or an xD-Picture Card with a capacity of at least 512MB

CNET UK judgement:

This medium-resolution Fujifilm stands out for its unmatched handling of highlights and excellent overall image quality, but it's not meant for rapid-fire shooting of sports and action

Full review:

The Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro digital SLR (dSLR) replaces the S2 Pro, which enjoyed some modest success among photographers who prized its image quality. Like its predecessor, the S3 Pro uses Nikon F-mount SLR lenses and a (debatably) 6-megapixel Fujifilm sensor. But the sensor, called a Super CCD SR II, is an all-new design that uses two photodetectors per pixel to deliver the widest dynamic range we've seen in a dSLR. The camera's performance is mediocre, but if you hate blown-out highlights and love rich colours, the S3 Pro is worth a close look. Continue Reading...