Fuji's new flagship compact slr-killer

[ElFenix]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0...8012410fujifS100FS.asp


28-400 f/2.8 to f/5.3 manual zoom lens
11 MP 2/3" Super CCD
lens based IS
dynamic range bracketing (!?)
movie mode
2.5" tilt LCD (bottom hinged, no rotating)
ISO 1600 at full res, ISO ISO 10,000@ 3MP
5.3x3.7x5.9 inches (lens retracted)
2 lbs without battery


there hasn't been a new SLR competitor EVIL camera on the market since since the FZ50 in july of 2006, and this may be the most interesting since the Sony R1 (which used the sensor from the D80).

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

This excites me a lot.

GREAT zoom range. Finally someone has figured out that the short end on these super zooms need to be wider than just 35mm.
Movie mode... I have a feeling that you can zoom during movie mode (despite what the specs say) because the zooming is hand operated. SOOOO many cameras can't zoom during movie mode.
Would have liked to see an 8MP sensor for better noise characteristics. Or a CMOS sensor.

But still, friggin' awesome.

 

[dug777]

I doubt they'd lock a manual zoom during video, because some idiot would break it

Besides, it shouldn't make any motor noise, which I understand was at least one of the main reasons many manufacturers lock it...

Dayum that R1 looks badass, and it's ancient :Q

 

[Jawo]

Now here's an great idea for cameras....have IS in camera AND in the lens!

Dual Image Stabilisation: The FinePix S100FS features Fujifilm?s Dual Image Stabilisation technology to ensure clean, sharp and blur-free images, even in low-light conditions. This combines image stabilisation through a mechanically stabilised ?floating? lens element to reduce blur from the photographer?s hand-shake, with Fujifilm?s Picture Stabilisation Technology, to reduce blur caused by subject movement, for the ultimate in stabilisation technology

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: Jawo
Now here's an great idea for cameras....have IS in camera AND in the lens!

Dual Image Stabilisation: The FinePix S100FS features Fujifilm?s Dual Image Stabilisation technology to ensure clean, sharp and blur-free images, even in low-light conditions. This combines image stabilisation through a mechanically stabilised ?floating? lens element to reduce blur from the photographer?s hand-shake, with Fujifilm?s Picture Stabilisation Technology, to reduce blur caused by subject movement, for the ultimate in stabilisation technology

I think Fuji's "Picture Stabilisation Technology" is simply automatically upping the ISO so it can achieve a faster shutter speed. I wouldn't call it IS...

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: Jawo
Now here's an great idea for cameras....have IS in camera AND in the lens!

Dual Image Stabilisation: The FinePix S100FS features Fujifilm?s Dual Image Stabilisation technology to ensure clean, sharp and blur-free images, even in low-light conditions. This combines image stabilisation through a mechanically stabilised ?floating? lens element to reduce blur from the photographer?s hand-shake, with Fujifilm?s Picture Stabilisation Technology, to reduce blur caused by subject movement, for the ultimate in stabilisation technology

I think Fuji's "Picture Stabilisation Technology" is simply automatically upping the ISO so it can achieve a faster shutter speed. I wouldn't call it IS...

it just sounded like marketing speak for auto ISO to me too, that's why i didn't mention it.

 

[Aharami]

HOT! Im a big fan of Fuji after getting the F31fd

 

[corkyg]

Definitely an interesting camera. This could replace my S3 IS for "portable" missions.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: corkyg
Definitely an interesting camera. This could replace my S3 IS for "portable" missions.

it looks like the S100FS [5.3(W)× 3.7(H)× 5.9(D) in] is almost 3 times the size of the S3 [4.5 x 3.1 x 3 in]. So it might not be as portable as you think. but definitely more portable than a DSLR.

 

[corkyg]

And the projected MSRP is $799. It won't be for everyone. Definitely more portable than my EOS 5D with 3 lenses.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: corkyg
And the projected MSRP is $799. It won't be for everyone. Definitely more portable than my EOS 5D with 3 lenses.

wtf. that's priced too high IMO. what's stopping someone from getting an entry level DSLR over this if they are both the same price?

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

The lens is equivalent to about an 18-250mm on APS-C cameras. I'd like to see what this lens can do. I currently have the Sigma 18-200mm OS and I wouldn't use it for anything BUT long backpacking trips. It's simply not sharp enough to trust any important photos to.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Aharami

Originally posted by: corkyg
Definitely an interesting camera. This could replace my S3 IS for "portable" missions.

it looks like the S100FS [5.3(W)× 3.7(H)× 5.9(D) in] is almost 3 times the size of the S3 [4.5 x 3.1 x 3 in]. So it might not be as portable as you think. but definitely more portable than a DSLR.

it's the same size as any of the compact SLRs are. same weight too. the lens is faster over the range than the typical travel zoom, which is a plus. it might be sharper as well (though the bit about the lens people working with the sensor people and the rest of the camera design team resulting in a lens that is perfectly fit with the sensor may be marketing speak). it's probably a little smaller and a little lighter than a D40x with an 18-250, but probably not by much.

basically fuji knows that entry SLRs are profitable, but though fuji can design a good SLR and a good lens, they do not have their own lens mount. rather than attempting to introduce a new system or continuing to use someone else's, they are doing this.




the F30 had a 1/1.7" sensor, which has a diagonal of 9.5 mm and a total area of 43.32 sq mm. this new camera has a 2/3" sensor, which has a diagonal of 11 mm and a total area of 58.08, about 35% more area. so about 37% higher pixel density than the F30.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
it's the same size as any of the compact SLRs are. same weight too. the lens is faster over the range than the typical travel zoom, which is a plus. it might be sharper as well (though the bit about the lens people working with the sensor people and the rest of the camera design team resulting in a lens that is perfectly fit with the sensor may be marketing speak). it's probably a little smaller and a little lighter than a D40x with an 18-250, but probably not by much.

basically fuji knows that entry SLRs are profitable, but though fuji can design a good SLR and a good lens, they do not have their own lens mount. rather than attempting to introduce a new system or continuing to use someone else's, they are doing this.

the F30 had a 1/1.7" sensor, which has a diagonal of 9.5 mm and a total area of 43.32 sq mm. this new camera has a 2/3" sensor, which has a diagonal of 11 mm and a total area of 58.08, about 35% more area. so about 37% higher pixel density than the F30.

so it's better than any other superzoom P&S. but at roughly the same size and price as an entry level DSLR, it doesnt provide any benefits over a DSLR other than the use doesnt have to carry around couple different lenses - so it's slightly more portable. But i imagine the SLR will produce better quality pictures. I think Fuji is aiming at its own foot by pricing it so high. I dont see this selling well over SLRs at $799. @ 599 I can see people eating it up.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: Jawo
Now here's an great idea for cameras....have IS in camera AND in the lens!

Dual Image Stabilisation: The FinePix S100FS features Fujifilm?s Dual Image Stabilisation technology to ensure clean, sharp and blur-free images, even in low-light conditions. This combines image stabilisation through a mechanically stabilised ?floating? lens element to reduce blur from the photographer?s hand-shake, with Fujifilm?s Picture Stabilisation Technology, to reduce blur caused by subject movement, for the ultimate in stabilisation technology

Isn't someone already doing that? Pentax?

 

[touchmyichi]

You can also get something like a used/clear out K100D and a Tamron 18-250 for about the same price if not cheaper. It would be a smaller compact body and would essentially be the same thing yet with all the advantages of interchangeable lenses.

Not saying I don't get the advantages of this (less of a hassle, quieter, etc), but just bringing that up.

 

[magomago]

I have to agree that it seems cool...but at 799 I wonder who really wants it. Even if they want to pimp out the "SLR style" of the camera you have to understand how its still nowhere near it. Someone posted (taking those #s on face value) ~43 for earlier models and ~60 for this one. You realize that the average APS-C is going to be about ~340-ish mm2 which is still a far cry.

At this price it seems that its geared towards those who want to get a litttttle closer to APS sensor size without having to start investing in lenses. but like touchmyichi pointed out I'd rather jump on Pentax and a Tamrom 18-250 for this price because then I already know the sensor is massively larger, as well as the fact that IF I ever wanted to swap lenses I could.

At a cheaper price...I could easily see how people who don't want to lug their SLRs around for certain situations would jump on this....