Front (8.5)
Although the curves are new, the features on the front of the S3 virtually mirror the previous S2. From the top: there is a pop-up flash nestled into the pentaprism. It’s mechanically controlled: it is opened by pressing a small button on the right side of the pentaprism housing. The PC flash sync connection is above and to the right. Also on the right side, along the lens mount, is the lens release button. Below sits a lever to select the focus mode (the choices are: continuous, single, or manual). Further below the focus selection there’s a sparkly and gratuitous Fuji logo. A bulge along the bottom serves as a good gripping contour when holding the camera vertically. To the left of the lens, there’s a small white light for low light autofocus assist, red-eye reduction, and signaling that the self-timer has been tripped. At the far left is the hand grip with the shutter release placed on the top, along with the on-off switch and a command dial.
Back (9.0)
There are two LCD displays on the back of the Fuji S3; the upper one shows text and icons indicating camera settings and data on saved images, while the lower screen is the camera’s 2-inch, 235,000-pixel color LCD. The color LCD is very attractive; it displays images with vibrant colors and a range of tones, although its size is only average for a DSLR. To the left of the two displays are the buttons to activate them. Controls for bracketing exposures and flash sync mode are above both displays. The “FUNC” button cycles through the various modes on the upper display, and there are four buttons arrayed below. In its various modes, the display indicates the functions of these buttons; in shooting mode, the buttons can change settings to color, resolution, and other options. In playback mode, they delete or protect the image, or vary the display. The “PLAY” button will activate the color LCD, bringing up the last image shot.
On the right side of the back is the autofocus and autoexposure lock button, which is surrounded by a ring that sets the metering pattern. At the far right is the “Main-command dial” which changes exposure in shooting mode, and scrolls through various other settings when shooting in other modes. Below is a dish-shaped four-way controller. In shooting mode, rocking the controller will determine which autofocus site is active. In playback, it controls the magnification of the displayed image and navigates across the image, as well as scrolling through the saved files. When the control menu is displayed (as it is when you press the “MENU/OK” button below the four-way controller) the controller navigates through the menus. The four-way controller is equipped with a lock, to prevent accidental changes. There is a “BACK” button next to the “MENU/OK” control, which cancels certain functions and takes you back to the upper levels of the menu.
There is a deep, rubberized thumb rest to the right of the four-way controller. Below is a nicely-finished, heavy latched door covering two slots for removable media. The camera accepts xD and CompactFlash/Microdrive media.
Left Side (8.0)
There’s a heavy strap mount at the top of the left side. Lower down, in two clusters, are terminals for various connections. The digital terminal is protected by a rubber port cover shielding both IEEE 1394 (FireWire) and USB 2.0 connections. Below that is the remote release terminal socket, for a standard Nikon 10-pin remote. The cap for that screws on and off, and could get lost easily. A bit forward of that are the more analog sorts of terminals, one for a five-volt DC power supply, which Fuji makes and sells separately, and one for analog A/V out, to a television. Fuji supplies the necessary cord for A/V.
The battery compartment latch is at the bottom of the left side. Release the latch, and a tray for the camera’s four AA batteries slides out.
Right Side (9.0)
The right side of the S3 features the shutter release for shooting verticals. Otherwise, it is characterized only by the camera’s graceful curves, which form a comfortable grip.
Top (9.0)
The top of the camera is a pretty clean, but reveals the camera’s lineage as successor to the S2, which combined components of the Nikon N80 with Fuji’s own electronics. The large mode dial sits at the far left. In addition to exposure modes, the dial also has settings for ISO and custom functions. This design is a bit of a drawback, requiring users to take the camera out of shooting mode to switch the ISO. A concentric ring controls the camera’s release mode, with options of burst mode, single shot, or self-timer.
There is a hot shoe on top of the pentaprism, which is compatible with the latest Nikon dedicated flashes. To the right of the prism is the top display, which shows the ISO rating, shutter and aperture settings, exposure compensation, flash exposure compensation, battery level, flash sync mode, and active focus area. (Yes, the S3 has three displays in total.)
The LCD illuminator button is at the far right; pressing it lights up both the top LCD and the monochromatic LCD on the back of the camera.
