Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

This is my second review on Fuji S3 pro, i wrote this review because ive seen so many reviews and samples from other Dslrs, i have also got the Sony A100 and Nikon D50 since then with 3 difference cameras on my projects shoots, i easily notice the big differences in image quality, Fuji S3 is absolutely out do all..None of other DSLRs out there have super CCD, therefore they cant captured what Fuji can, Fuji can captures all fine details and sharpness with very pleasing colors. Fuji can holds details in highlites and open up 3/4tone near shadow end, im only talking about most important factor of a camera is the final products that prints and sells, i sell proofs, im not selling speed or features of camera like most people waisting time talking about how the camera build and feel..With this said, ive sold all my Canon and Nikon gears and keep FUJIs. My carrer is foto specialist for over 27 yrs now, i fix all pics from fotografers, i've worked for many magazines and posters companies, plus a couple of biggest newspaper in USA. I have seen thousands and thousands of pics and worked on them too..i have eyes for colors. Now im the trainer for a big newspaper in foto dept. I think Fuji up to date is still the king of the hill. The sharpness come from the lens so invest right..Both Canon and Nikon blow hilites and plugged shadow end, simply because they dont have extend dynamic range as Fujis. Im waiting for Fuji S5 to drop in price, then ill buy it too.

best image quality.

slow in speed and refreshing time.

Canon 300d, Olympus E300, Nikon D50, Sony A100.

NONE

I have used one of these cameras several times for art repro work and loved the results. Now that they have been reduced in price in the UK (around £600 GBP) I have bought one. I own a D2X and a D200 but find the Fuji is far better for art repro work. The clour gradations and depth are film like and it displays excellent detail. I will use this camera for my repo work from now on. It gives fanatastic image quality and after all that's what we are after. Forget the debate about pixels etc. just fit this camera with a good lens and it puts my others in the shade. This camera is by no means perfet, if you do action photography, forget it as it's slow in use. Build quaility is good and it balances well. People have often slated the camera for only using AA batteries but I find this an advantage as they can be found anywhere in the World. Try getting a Nikon or Canon Lithium Ion replacement in Egypt - you've got no chance but Duracell's are easy to find. Also with the newer high capacity AA batteries this camera will go for a long time without a refill. I like using this camera for the use I have for it - cards, calanders, landscapes, museum work etc. I am using my old Nikon 35 70 2.8 on it and it produces excellent pictures that easily blow up to A3.

Image quality for my type of work is the best going
Good build
I concider AA batteries an advantage as I find myself in some obscure parts of the World.
All my Nikon lenses work with it
Fuji are very helpful
Film simulation modes are fantastic
The price reduction now makes it the best camera at entry level but probobly not a real beginners camera - it nevers was as it was aimed at the semi pro market really.
Has RAW conversion software with it that's not like anything else I have used but it does the job when you understand it

Slow to write to the card
Only 2 frames per sec so not a sports photogrphers camera
Needs faster cards like ScanDisk extreme to help speed writes up
One star off for slow writes

Nikon D2X
Nikon D200
Nikon D70
Just about everything Nikon makes over the years

Fuji were helpful when I had a software query

At last I've found a digital camera that I'm happy with (from an image quality point of view)- I am an unashamed fan of film, and I can hand on heart say that this is the only digital SLR I've tried that comes close to film quality- Ive owned a 300d, a 20d, and a D70- all of which are decent bodies- But all of which somehow left me unsatisfied where it counts- image quality.

Yes there are weaknesses with the S3 Pro- it is a slow camera, make no mistake. Sometimes you can see jaggies with certain JPEG files...

However, 95% of the time the S3 hits the mark- Colours are vibrant and alive- skin tones are beautifully rendered, and the tonality really is in a league of its own.

If you dont mind the relative slowness of the S3, and want a camera that turns out beautiful portraits, this is the one for you.

Fanatstic image quality- images somehow look less digital than others dslrs- Cracking skin tones! Great value for money given the price reduction- good build quality- Built-in vertical grip, a real plus for portrait shooting- takes AA batteries- great jpegs out of the camera.

SLOW!
Occasional Jaggies with Jpegs

er, thats about it!

Canon 300D, Canon 20D and Nikon 70D

This is a great camera. It takes great photographs. It produces great qualtiy photographs. It produces excellent color and tone. I use it mainly for subjects that are not moving or have limited or slow moving enviroments. I have used it for sports but it requires alot of patience and excellent timing on the users part, which can get tiring. That said I have got excellent photographs at sporting events.....just not alot of them. Most of the images were unusable, everyone who has this camera knows what I am talking about. It was rather pricey when I piruchased mine and now that I have A D200 also I would recomend that instead of purchasing a S3 at the same price or above that of a D200. I still use my S3 alot. I have always loved the color that Fuji cameras deliver. I will continue to use this camera unless I need fast. If you need fast look elsewhere, if not this camera is top rate. I like being able to use AA batteries, they are cheap and I carry several at a time.I have never really had a issue with the batteries. They seem to last as long as the ENL type batteries Nikon uses. Companies now have chargers that recharge these AA rather quickly and if you really run out most stores stock AA batteries so there is always a power source. The non rechargeable AA do not last near as long as the rechargeable ones, but they work in a fix. The camera is well built and rugged. The command function buttons are easy to navigate and read. I do not like the image dispaly, it takes forever to navigate through the pictures you have taken. It uses a CF card or XD card. Though it will not write on them both at the same time, big deal. It is nice to have two cards in your camera for when you really are shooting alot.It claims to be 12 megeapixel, I am not sure if that is accurate due to the way Fuji's censors work. My D200 seems to retain better image quality when you start to do alot of cropping. This really is not that big of an issue either. I do not crop alot anyway when using 400 to 500mm lenses. The camera is slow and thats a fact. I have gotten used to it and now compensate by panning and guessing. I miss shots but I get them also. It tends to put a little more work into shooting than some may like, bit it is a challenge sometimes making the shots you get feel like an accomplishment and throws a little fun factor into it. If you subje is not moving or is slow it works great. Prior to the D200 I would recommend this camera to anyone. If you can get one for around 1400 or so buy it. If Fuji does come out with a S4 I will at least check it out, that is how much I like this camera. The price should start comming down on this camera because of the new and improved releases from Nikon. I have a D70 and would never buy one again, the sensor went out and it took major menu tweaking to get good images. I love Nikon and when i bought the S3 I wanted something that used Nikon lenses and flash, ect. After my experience with the D70 I went to Fuji because at the time all Nikon had was the D100 (old) and the D2H(to much for a fast action specific camera). The D2X had not been released and I still do not know ifI would drop that kind of coin on a camera unless someone was dropping coin in my pocket to use it. I turned to Fuji and it was a good choice. If you are thinking about this camera, give it serious thought it is a great product. I have taken photographs wit this camera that the camera shop has used for dispaly.

Size, build quality. Function buttons and control. Takes decent pictures at higher ISO settings. I have gotten great results in daylight with the ISO as high as 800. It uses Nikon lenses. It takes a CF and XD card. I like the AA batteries, charge them, use them and when they wear out buy repalcements anywhere. Image quality is excellent and the camera is rugged. It works great with NIKON lenses. I have used a Sigma 500mm APO in it with great results on a tripod. I have used other name brand lenses with mixed results. If you own a Nikon camera the learning curve on this camera is minimal. It is an excellent camera. Looks, the camera looks like a performer, it is.

The only real negative thing I can say about this camera is the speed. It is slow and it shows when using it for action shots. It is not impossible to get the shots but it is a little more challenging than other cameras. I wish it loaded the images for review faster than it does. This has nothing ot do with image quality just a personel preference..

D70 and D200

Never had to use it, they do ont respond to Emails

This is the first digital SLR that I have purchased and have found it to be a wonderful camera. I've done extensive research on the camera before I purchased it and found it to be all that I thought that it would. With doing many types of shooting from product to wildlife, I needed a camera that functioned well. I have used the camera over the past 8 months and have found it great, with some drawbacks. The camera offers a great feel to it when it is in your hands, not too bulkly, or too small. The rubber grip and contured plastic body fits great in your hands. It is great to have a camera that feels like that when in your hands, especially if on the move all the time. I was a little worried about the construction of the camera being that so many cameras are plastic these days. I find it to greatly manufactured with impact and rub points being well designed. Controls are set in areas where they won't get bumped or damaged and corners are rounded and have been reinforced from what I notice. Most of the controls are set up and a great way to move around. The large rocker panel on the back is great for when shooting in a hurry and want to move your focusing points. The sensor on this camera is great-it captures whites in great detail, especially when shooting in the snow. Being from MN I was worried how the camera would handle shooting in areas that have little contrast at times, but it picks up everything. There are somethings that I don't care for about the camera-see the weakness section. Overall I feel this is a GREAT camera for the price. Hands down ,one of the best out there on the market. I have shot with many professionals and have talked to many and they envoy me when I pull out my S3, get it and you won't regret it.

Sturdy feeling & well built-except for the cheap N80 top. AA batteries!!!! Got to love a camera that ONLY uses AA batteries. Easy to change in and out too. Study tray that you don't have to worry about destroying. Has two card slots- XD and Flash. Easy to navigate through the menus. Low noise for long shutter times. Price-and has recently gone down again in price due to rumors of the S4 coming out in 2008.

Silly/cheap feeling top layout of the N80-cumbersum to change shooting speeds, selftimer, and multiple exposures. Small knob that is in a tight spot for changing metering-especially hard with gloves on. Should of used a better top layout/construction for a $2k camera in my opinion. Camera will not come out of sleep mode when using verticle shutter release or cable relase-will only come out of sleep mode using the top shutter button...very fustrating, but sleep time can be changed. Will not communicate with my Sigma 500 Super flash.

None

Haven't had to use it...and hope I never will.