Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

Sep 30, 2005 - By Emily Raymond
The Fujifilm FinePix S9000 has the look of a digital single lens reflex camera and almost has the feel, but its 10.7x optical zoom lens is not detachable. This digital camera aims to bridge the gap between compact cameras with ultra-zoom lenses and the growing market of low-end digital SLRs. Indeed, the FinePix S9000 is somewhere in between. It has 9 megapixels on a 1/1.6-inch CCD, an RP image processor, and its long Fujinon lens to round out its Real Photo Technology. This Fujifilm digital camera, known as the S9500 outside the United States, has a unique 1.8-inch LCD monitor that folds outward from the camera and tilts at different angles. It does not rotate in a camcorder-like fashion, but simply tilts outward for a better viewing angle. The Fujifilm FinePix S9000 has the functionality of a low-end SLR with its manual and priority modes. The camera also has some elements from the compact end of the market: full live preview on its LCD, a VGA movie mode that shoots at 30 frames per second, and five scene modes located on its main mode dial. In some areas, the FinePix S9000 incorporates elements from both segments of the market; the camera accepts both CompactFlash and xD-Picture Cards and should be an intriguing option for consumers looking at both compact ultra-zoom models and entry level single lens reflex alternatives.
Advertisement


Value (5.5)
The Fujifilm FinePix S9000 retails for $699.95, which is more than what compact digital cameras go for and about equal to current low-end DSLRs. That’s probably where it’s supposed to fit (low-end DSLRs will be a bit more when packaged with the kit lens). However, it makes more sense to me to pay an extra hundred bucks for the added versatility of switching lenses. That is my opinion though. Others may see the S9000 as a value because it has a decent lens, live preview, and video capture capabilities; however, you will not get the speed, image quality, or control of a true DSLR. Personally, if I were selecting a compact over a DSLR, I would want a larger LCD for composing images and something with image stabilization – something that would drive an interchangeable SLR lens up $500 or so in price.

Comparisons
Fujifilm FinePix S5200 – This digital camera is the next step down in the FinePix S-line. It employs the same Fujifilm Real Photo Technology, but with a smaller 5.1 megapixel, 1/2.5-inch CCD and a different 10x optical zoom lens. The lens has a maximum aperture of f/3.2 and does not have zoom and focus rings like the S9000. The S5200’s body is much smaller at 4.4 x 3.3 x 4.4 inches and 13.1 ounces without the card or batteries. This model offers the same modes as the S9000 and has several changes to its other options. This camera has 64-zone metering as compared to the S9000’s more sophisticated 256-zone system. The S5200 also has a shorter shutter speed range of 15-1/2000th of a second. The Fuji S5200 has a 1.8-inch LCD screen with 115,000 pixels and does not have the CompactFlash card compatibility that the S9000 has. The S5200 uses AA batteries like the S9000, but has a much longer 250-shot battery life. The Fujifilm FinePix S5200 retails for $399 and will be available in October.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 – The FZ30 should prove to be a worthy competitor to the FinePix S9000. It has 8 megapixels, an optically stabilized 12x optical zoom lens with focus and zoom rings, and a $699 retail price tag. It is SLR-shaped, but its Leica lens also cannot be detached. The Panasonic is also bulky at 5.5 x 5.4 x 3.8 inches and 1.63 pounds. Its body comes in black and silver colors, appealing to the style-conscious consumers. The Lumix FZ30 packs nice features into its stylish body. It offers the same manual and priority modes as the S9000, but offers more scene modes in addition to its fully automatic mode. With 14 scene modes including everything from Starry Sky to Baby, the FZ30 will likely attract a slightly wider audience. It uses SD or MMC cards and an included lithium-ion battery that will take 280 shots before a recharge. The Panasonic FZ30 surpasses the S9000 with its optical image stabilization system, TIFF shooting format as well as JPEG and RAW, and 3 fps burst mode. The FZ30 also has a 2-inch LCD screen with 235,000 pixels; it does not fold outward like the S9000’s though. The Fuji S9000 beats the FZ30’s limited ISO range of 100-400 and slower top shutter speed of 1/2000th of a second.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 – The R1 is designed on the same concept as the S9000 with its high-end SLR-like design and shape and its non-detachable lens. The Sony’s lens is much shorter at 5x optical zoom, but offers apertures between f/2.8 and f/16. This model also adds some resolution with its 10.3 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor. It has a hot shoe and pop-up flash like the S9000, but the R1’s flash is considerably weaker and the hot shoe is placed way off to the side. The cameras do share a similarly styled folding LCD monitor, but the R1’s is slightly larger at 2 inches and 134,000 pixels. The cameras have similar white balance modes, but the Sony comes with fine tuning adjustments. The Sony has only four scene modes and no movie mode at all. Other than that, they share similar manual and priority offerings. The Sony’s ISO extends from 160-3200 and its shutter speeds range from 30-1/2000th of a second or minutes when using the bulb setting. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-R1 is compatible with two different media, although one is different from the S9000. The R1 accepts Sony Memory Sticks and CompactFlash cards. It will begin shipping in December for a much larger retail price of $999.

Canon PowerShot G6 – This Canon was released in 2004 long before the wave of most high-end digital cameras. It retailed for the same $699, but can be found for about $500 online now. The G6 contains elements from both SLRs and compacts, but takes more of the compact form – although it does have a slight SLR shape. It measures 4.1 x 2.9 x 2.8 inches and weighs a much lighter 13.4 ounces. The PowerShot G6 has a 2-inch folding screen that folds outward and rotates for viewing at many angles. The G6 has 7.1 megapixels on its 1/1.8-inch image sensor. It has a much shorter 4x optical zoom lens and a hot shoe with a pop-up flash setup. The Canon and Fuji both have manual and priority modes and some similar options, although the Canon doesn’t have the finer details like the focus lock and such. The Canon has a stunted 50-400 ISO range and a disappointing 1-1/2000th of a second shutter speed range, but does come with a 2 fps burst mode and an interesting ID Photo Print Mode. The G6 has a movie mode that can record at 640 x 480 pixels, but only at a choppy 10 frames a second. The Canon PowerShot G6 accepts only CompactFlash cards.

Nikon D50 – This Nikon is on the lowest end of the digital single lens reflex cameras. It contains Nikon’s F-mount, so its lens can be detached and switched out. This 6 megapixel digital SLR offers manual functionality and the DSLR inconvenience of holding buttons down and rotating dials to switch settings. The body is 5.2 x 3 x 4 inches and 19 ounces, and it has an optical viewfinder with 95 percent field of view and a 2-inch LCD that has 130,000 pixels – which does not fold out or do any tricks. There is a pop-up flash and hot shoe above the lens mount. When we tested the D50, it produced colors more inaccurately than the S9000 but produced hardly any noise when the ISO was manually set. The Nikon has six scene modes, but omits the movie mode as all DSLRs do. The D50 offers ISOs from 200-1600 and has a 2.5 fps burst mode. For a retail price of $899, the Nikon D50 comes with a 3x optical zoom kit lens with a maximum aperture of f/3.5, but can be currently found online for about $700.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – Ease of use and portability are not the S9000’s best features. Point-and-shooters will be happier and richer if they get an easier to use camera that retails for a lot less.

Budget Consumers – Overall, the S9000 is not a budget consumer’s dream; its $699 price tag is a bit steep. However, some consumers could justify it as a deal because they get SLR-like features without paying a couple hundred extra for the SLR body, plus lenses and such.

Gadget Freaks – The Fuji S9000 has some features the gadget freak will be interested in. The tilting LCD monitor shows potential, but there is no Wi-Fi or touch screen to really wow this crowd.

Manual Control Freaks – This model will satisfy manual control freaks if they have a telepathic sense of where everything is on the S9000. A ton of options are offered, but they are all buried in menus or available only when two buttons are pushed or rotated.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists – Serious hobbyists may consider this camera for purchase, but professionals will probably still opt for a true DSLR. Manual functions and the traditional bulky SLR look will attract a nice hobbyist crowd.

Connectivity / Extras Page 10 of 13 Conclusion
Fujifilm FinePix S9000 Digital Camera Review Navigation
   
Advertisement