Fuji FinePix S9000 9MP digicam

Fuji have announced a couple of new digicams with 9MP sensors - the highest pixel count sensors yet found outside a few Digital SLRs. The cameras use Fuji's 5th Generation Super CCD HR sensors which have both small and large pixels in the array to increase dynamic range. The 4th generation Super CCD HR sensors had good performance with better than average noise performance at high ISO settings, so it will be interesting to see how well these 5th generation sensors perform.

The sensor size is designated as 1/1.6", which corresponds to approximately 8mm wide by 6mm high (4:3 aspect ratio), still significantly smaller than DSLR sensors (typically something like 22mm wide by 15mm high). This, of course, allows the camera to include a lens equivalent to a 28-300mm zoom in full frame 35mm terms yet still keeping the camera reasonably small and light, though the Fuji Finepix S9000 is certainly not a pocketable camera at 5.0" x 3.7" H x 5.1" D and 23oz.

Priced at around $700, the Fuji Finepix S9000 is a little cheaper than the lowest cost digital SLR body and maybe $300-$400 cheaper than a digital SLR with a similar coverage lens (18-200mm) - and the S9000 lens is significantly faster (f2.8) than a DSLR lens would be. The Fuji Finepix S9000 is expected to hit the stores in early September 2005.

Here's the press release from Fuji:

Valhalla, NY, July 28, 2005 - Fujifilm has added another "first" to its imaging legacy with today's introduction of the SLR-styled FinePix S9000 digital camera, the world's first nine MegaPixel model for advanced amateur photographers.

Advanced digital photographers have been eagerly awaiting this addition to Fujifilm's popular S-series line. The FinePix S9000 digital camera boasts 9.0 effective MegaPixels that capture up to 3,488 x 2,616 recorded pixels (9.12 million) - the highest resolution of any consumer-grade camera on the market.

While these record-breaking numbers are impressive alone, Fujifilm understands there is more to a great digital picture than resolution. It is this understanding, along with its rich history of photographic excellence, which drove Fujifilm to incorporate its groundbreaking Real Photo Technology into the FinePix S9000. The company's latest innovation matches the nine MegaPixel, 5th Generation Super CCD HR sensor, with a super-sharp Fujinon lens and the RP Processor technology found currently in the critically-acclaimed FinePix F10 digital camera.

A hallmark of Fujifilm's Real Photo Technology is its ability to reduce the amount of graininess or "noise" in digital pictures. This noise is often apparent in high-resolution photos, particularly those shot at high ISO-equivalent sensitivities. With Real Photo Technology, the FinePix S9000 can take pictures at ISO 1600 -- at full resolution. Other benefits of Real Photo Technology include speed of operation (the FinePix S9000 has a high-speed start-up time of only 0.8 second with shutter lag down to 1/100 second) and longer battery life.

"The unmatched resolution of the FinePix S9000 will garner the most attention. However for those in the know, the most impressive feature of this camera will be its low noise processing," explained David Troy, Senior Product Manager, Consumer Products, Electronic Imaging Products Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. "High resolution photos suitable for sizable enlargements have often come at the expense of noise, particularly in this style of camera. While we cannot say that noise will be completely eliminated, especially at the highest ISO settings, the apparent amount will be far less than what shooters have come to expect at this level of resolution."

In addition to offering low noise processing, the new FinePix S9000 is equipped with a bevy of features that will appeal to the photo hobbyist. One of those features is a world-class Fujinon 10.7x wide-angle optical zoom lens that is the equivalent of having a 28-300mm zoom on a 35mm camera. This zoom range is ideal for a wide variety of shooting situations and thus makes the purchase of additional lenses unnecessary.

FinePix S9000's Range of Zoom

Other features appealing to the photo hobbyist include:

• Mode dial with multiple settings, including Anti-Blur that automatically adjust the camera's ISO settings to combat camera shake and blur and Natural Light for more natural looking photos, particularly in low light

Standard Auto with Flash		Natural Light Mode

Anti-Blur Off		Anti-Blur On

• A manual zoom that along with the auto exposure and auto focus functions, are operational during full frame (VGA-quality; 30 fps) movie capture
• The ability to shoot in the RAW file format
• A Super Macro Mode for pictures up to 0.4-inches
• Hot shoe and Syncronizing terminal for external flash
• Live histogram exposure setting checks prior to shooting
• In-camera highlight warning function that alerts the user to overexposed areas of just-taken pictures
• Strong auto-focus assist illuminator for quicker focusing in low light
• Tilting LCD for high and low-angle shooting; adjustable LCD and electronic viewfinder frame rates of 30 frames-per-second or 60 frames-per-second for smoother viewing
• Dual media slot accepts xD Picture card and CompactFlash/Microdrive

Framing pictures through the FinePix S9000's LCD as well as its video features should be of particular interest to many advanced amateur digital photographers who want all the controls of a digital SLR camera but are hesitant to lose some of the convenient and useful features commonly found in point-and-shoot cameras.

"An all-in-one camera like the FinePix S9000 is so appealing because it offers the best of both worlds; the photographic controls of a DSLR and the movie mode and LCD framing capabilities of the point-and-shoots," remarked Troy.

The FinePix S9000 will be available in early September at $699.95.

FinePix S9000 Specifications