Value (8.5)
It’s challenging to evaluate the S3 price versus performance as a value equation, because the camera’s most important characteristic -- extended dynamic range -- is unique. If you must have nine stops of dynamic range, this is your option, and it costs $2500. You can’t get that range from a $6300 Nikon or an $8000 Canon. That said, the camera is only a good value to photographers in need of its dynamic range. It does not match the shooting speed or autofocus speed of the Canon 20D, which is $1000 less, with a lens. The Nikon D70 matches or beats it at half the price, in every measure except for dynamic range, noise suppression, and color reproduction.
Comparisons
Nikon D70s - At $899 for the body, or $1199 bundled with a Nikon zoom lens, the D70s is a very attractive camera. It offers 6.1 MP of resolution – the same as the S3. The D70s is faster, shooting a solid 3 frames per second, with enough buffer to shoot 144 consecutive frames at that rate. It delivers very good color and sharpness, though not up to the S3’s standard, even when the S3 is set in normal dynamic range. The D70s is smaller and lighter, and its dedicated rechargeable battery will last much longer than the S3’s AAs. Though the Fuji surpasses the Nikon in more than one aspect of image quality, dynamic range is the only reason to pay $1600 more for the S3.
Canon EOS 20D - At $1600 for the body, the 20D offers 8.2 MP of resolution, an ISO 3200 setting, better autofocus, and more flexible white balance. The 20D is much faster, shooting five frames per second for 23 JPEG frames. As is the case with the Nikon D70s, the Canon 20D doesn’t quite match the S3 in overall image quality -- the S3 has more pleasing color and lower noise. Still, if it weren’t for the dynamic range, no one would spend $900 extra dollars to get the Fuji instead of the 20D.
Nikon D2X - At $6300 list, the Nikon offers a much faster, much more solidly-built camera with 12.4 MP of resolution. It offers high-end features such as the option of simultaneously recording images in both JPEG and RAW and an optional wireless link for transmitting images to a remote computer as they’re shot. It can produce gorgeous images, but it still can’t parallel the S3, with its extended dynamic range.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – The S3 is far too expensive, and offers far too many options for this crowd.
Budget Consumers – At $2500, it’s only a budget camera compared to the very top of the line DSLRs.
Gadget Freaks – Given its unique technology, it’s gotta be intriguing -- someone’s going to get a kick out of explaining “S” and “R” photoreceptors to all their friends.
Manual Control Freaks – Again, a serious maybe here. Not only does the camera offer full manual control, it offers full control over dynamic range.
Pro/Serious hobbyist – These are the users who are going to buy the S3 and utilize the dynamic range option. At least some of them will use it side by side with something faster, probably Nikon, because of lens compatibility.
