BIOS: Technology Means Business

Fujifilm’s wholly-black FinePix S9500 (128x129x93mm, 645g) marries high-end image quality with a lens so good you’ll be glad it’s not removable. Marking the point where compact digital cameras and digital SLRs meet, the FinePix S9500 is pitched at amateur and enthusiast photographers, and offers features and resolution good enough to challenge entry-level digital SLRs.

The FinePix S9500 (Best Current Price: £385) features Fujifilm’s fifth-generation Super CCD sensor, and offers an impressive image size of 9-Megapixels (up to 3488x2616 pixels). In case you were wondering, best-quality JPEGs measure around 4.5MB in size. The camera also has a class-leading sensitivity range of ISO 80 to ISO 1600, which reduces the need for reliance on image stabilisation. The versatile ISO range also means that sharp, focused images can be achieved in more light conditions - from bright sunny days to night-time shots - without the use of a flash. Fast shutter speeds (30- to 1/4000s) not only lessen the effect of blurring from camera shake, but subject movement, too.

In addition to the relatively large 9-Megapixel CCD, another key feature of the camera is its 28- to 300mm (equivalent on a 35mm camera) Fujinon zoom lens with twist-barrel zoom control. The 10.7x zoom range (f2.8-4.9) encompasses all the major focal lengths, and the manual zoom control enables you to make precision adjustments. Furthermore, because the lens and body on the FinePix S9500 are built as a closed unit, it eliminates the possibility of dust on the lens and CCD - a serious problem when removing lenses on a digital SLR. The zoom is operated by a tactile mechanical ring, which extends the barrel by 32mm, but as with most all-in-ones, manual focus is electrically assisted.

Another interesting feature is the new tilting LCD screen on the rear of the camera. Although the LCD screen doesn’t rotate, the fact that it isn’t fixed means that it is possible to view images at awkward angles, such as close to the ground or above the head. Unlike digital SLRs, the 1.8-inch LCD can also be used to compose images. Those who like to get the most from a camera will also appreciate the 30fps (640x480 pixels) movie mode with manual zoom capability, allowing you to capture reasonable-quality images with sound - a function that cannot be integrated into traditional digital SLRs due to the physical design of the cameras.

With a 0.8 second start-up time and just 0.01 second shutter lag, the FinePix S9500 gives a near-instant response so that spontaneous shots and unexpected action need never be missed. The camera also incorporates RAW mode, for uncompressed and unprocessed image quality. A hotshoe attachment and PC sync terminal for external flash make it a camera that’s as happy in the studio as it is out and about. Experienced photographers will further appreciate the camera’s real-time histogram to assist exposure settings before shooting, as well as the Highlight Warning feature for displaying highlight areas in playback.

The FinePix S9500 offers a decent range of focus modes, including Auto focus (AF), continuous AF, and manual focus. There are also AF frame selection options - AF (centre), AF (multi), AF (area) - and an AF assist illuminator. Exposure controls include Program AE (Auto, P, Anti-Blur, Natural Light, Night, Portrait, Landscape), shutter priority AE, aperture priority AE, and manual exposure, while exposure compensation offers -2 EV to +2 EV in 1/3 EV-step increments (P, S, A). White balance support includes Automatic scene recognition/Preset (Fine, Shade, Fluorescent (Daylight), Fluorescent (Warm White), Fluorescent (Cool White), and Incandescent/Custom white balance (two types).

Storage comes in the form of xD-Picture Card, CompactFlash and Microdrive support (16MB xD-Picture Card supplied), while power is catered for by four AA-type Alkaline (supplied) or NiMH batteries. Fujifilm also bundles a shoulder strap, USB cable, A/V cable for viewing stills and videos on a larger screen, lens cap, lens cap holder, lens hood, manual, and a CD-ROM containing USB drivers, FinePix Viewer, ImageMixer VCD2 LE for FinePix, and RAW file converter LE utilities. An AC power adapter (AC-5VH/X) and protective carrying case are unfortunately optional extras.

In our tests the FinePix S9500 was comfortable to use, robust, and relatively easy to use - although we have seen much better menu systems. Captured images contained and a good level of detail and colour considering the small physical size of the sensor, and Fujifilm has got noise levels under control, too (except for ISO 1600). It didn’t quite approach the quickness or low light/high ISO prowess of most digital SLRs, but certainly performed well enough to suit the needs of most amateur photographers. The flash hot-shoe permits the use of powerful external strobes, and it even offers a threaded cable-release socket on its shutter button.

Enthusiast photographers are drawn towards digital SLRs because of the image quality they offer. Certainly, a digital SLR is the definitive tool for professional photographers wishing to take stills photography. However, as DSLRs are specialist cameras, they inevitably offer less flexibility when it comes to everyday photography. The FinePix S9500 is a more than credible alternative for consumers considering an entry-level DSLR. Overall this is a camera that a pure novice can start with and grow into as their skills mature, but it doesn’t quite compete with a DSLR on speed, image quality or versatility. [8.5]

[Best Digital Camera Pricing UK]
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