Fujifilm Finepix S9000 9MP Digital Camera with 10.7x Wide Optical Zoom

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.9 x 7.4 inches ; 9,999 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007GIXS8
• Item model number: Finepix S9000
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,875 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: December 14, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Fujifilm has added another "first" to its imaging legacy with the 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 as of Summer 2005.

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.

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 shooting situations and thus makes the purchase of additional lenses unnecessary.

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
• 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. The FinePix S9000 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.

Product Description

Combining the RP Processor, 5th Generation Super CCD-HR Sensor and Fujinon Lens Optics, the S9000 delivers ultra-high sensitivity with low noise, faster operational speeds and reduced power consumption. This allows you to capture priceless memories of photographs with every nuance of light and color, even in low light situations without a flash. Real Photo Technology captures treasured moments just as your eye sees them.The S9000 features a 10.7x Wide Angle Optical Zoom with a focal range equivalent of 28mm - 300mm compared to 35mm film. With Super Macro mode, the S9000 can focus clearly as close up as 0.4". With the addition of a beam assist, the S9000 will be able to automatically focus even in low light conditions.The S9000 has all its angles covered with a tilting 1.8" LCD making it easy to frame your shot from a variety of shooting positions. And thanks to the LCD gain up control, you'll be able to view the LCD in bright and low light conditions. The viewfinder is electronic with 235, 000 pixel resolution and provides approximately 100% coverage.Equipped with dual media slots for handling of xD-Picture Cards and Compact Flash/Microdrives, the S9000 lets you concentrate on shooting without worrying about storage space. You can even insert different types of media in each slot and then select which one you want to use to store each image as you shoot.Whether you choose Auto, Manual, Macro/Super Macro, Movie, Burst/Continuous or any of the 5 Pre-programmed Scene Position modes, the S9000 delivers higher level digital image quality.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

114 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything I Wanted, October 8, 2005

By	R. J. Paquin (Prospect Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I spent my first day with the S9000 at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, shooting on full automatic to determine the baseline performance, and I could not be happier. I've uploaded a few shots to the image gallery, all done at 9MP(F) using Macro. Very pleased with the results. I own the S3000, making this upgrade an easy purchase decision.

The controls are easy to use, though the menus can be a bit tiresome (probably more so when you're switching modes). The ring zoom control is a nice new touch, as well as the addition of a second memory card slot. I got about 150 shots out of the set of included alkalines, then switched to rechargeables for about that many more (and haven't gotten a battery low warning on the rechargeables, yet).

I'll leave it to the "pros" to provide a feature-by-feature breakdown. But this amateur is very pleased that Fuji has once again produced a camera that makes me look like I know what I'm doing.

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A superb camera, but one needs to learn it, January 3, 2006

By	Joe Pennant (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

A powerful and capable camera in its own right, that can take stunningly good images let down only by glaring usability issues. The overall performance envelope is head and shoulders above any prosumer class camera on the market. The only cameras that can best the s9000 in performance, handling, build and image quality are current dSLR's. And even then, not by much.

You would have to spend real money in dSLR-land for the body and lenses (plural) to match or beat what this camera is capable of.

Unfortunately, you may not get that impression upon first use out of the box. The unintuitive menu system alone made me want to bash the camera against a hard rock. The AF system seemed to hunt all over the place. The pictures didnt seem as sharp as its predecessors. Low light performance seemed abysmal. The write speed is often slow.

This isnt a point and shoot camera for the new photographer. It is a hugely capable camera for the serious photographer. The learning curve is steep. Very steep. Reading the manual and taking the time to learn the features and capabilities is mandatory, not optional.

But once you do learn the camera, it is a delight in operation and image quality. It is super quick. You can have it powered up, up to your eye, focused and ready to take the picture in less than 2 seconds. The focusing system, used properly, is sure and fast. The images capture a wide range of subtle details. The colors are natural and are nicely punched up in Chrome mode. ISO from 80-1600 is available in all modes. You can take pictures in near darkness (ISO AND EV compensation is your friend). The handling is sweet. The camera feels like professional kit.

(Edit after 6 months of ownership for new s9000 owners)

Per my experiences :

A) Read the manual, Read the manual, read the manual. The camera is capable of quite a bit, so there is a lot to learn about what it is capable of. The initial learning curve is steep.

B) Take time to learn the menu, where all the settings are, because thats where you have to change things like the ISO, color mode and whatnot. Biggest pain in the butt of the camera.

C) For speed, shoot in JPEG mode - it slows down hard when shooting in RAW. When shooting in JPEG,you can either shoot 5mp or 9mp for speed and space. The 9mp files are big, so it can slow you down shooting, while the quality of the 5mp files is REALLY good, so unless youre shooting for full quality, you can pretty much shoot in 5mp mode.
(The 5mp images from the s9000 are better than most 5mp images.)

D) ISO characteriistics

- The s9000 gives great quality and low noise up ISO 800, where noise will start to show, 1600 is only for truly horrible lighting conditions.. If you want no noise and quality, shoot to up 400.

- The camera is very flexible and will handle most lighting conditions with ease. Until you get fading light, then the autofocus and exposure gets slow and indecisive. Recognise that point and go up on ISO, even if you think you have enough light.

Again, you have to go into the menu to change ISO, so you want to learn where it is to change quickly.

E) Image quality.

The image quality may seem not so sharp on standard settings. It is VERY sharp, but on default settings, there is no sharpening applied to the image, unlike most point and shoot cameras which applies a lot of sharpening, so it will seem the image is soft when it's actually quite sharp.
If you think you need to sharpen the images, you can change the sharpening settings in camera or just shoot on default settings (recommended) and sharpen in post processing.

F) The Lens

- Zoom is addictive, and the zoom range on this camera is very addictive. :)

Recognise that 200mm is the magic point. Over 200, small movements are amplified, low light shooting is harder and the image quality gets a bit soft. Best to shoot wide at night.

- The zoom is manual, so this makes it a two-handed camera, if youre used to motorized zoom. The manual makes the zoom very very fast.

- Remember to lock the lens hood when using it. Otherwise, its easy to accidentally knock off and lose.

G) Essential accessories

- A UV filter to protect the lens and cut down on UV light. Get one. Do not mess around.
- Bigger memory cards. xD cards are more expensive than CF cards.
- Monopod (with stand up legs) and Tripod, with a ball head.
- Cable release (the shutter is threaded for this reason).

H) Other

The camera is very very capable. If the pics arent coming out the way you want, its not the camera, its you. Just work with it.

This camera will make you a better photographer.

Like all Fuji cameras Ive ever used, once you take the time to really learn it, hidden capabilities seem to appear out of nowhere, making you glad that you chose a Fuji.

174 of 187 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely THE BEST prosumer camera on the market!, December 10, 2005

By	Alex Vox (Winnetka, IL) - See all my reviews

Hey,l if you on a market for digital camera and some $575 does not scare you off get this camera! Don't listen to these tailored by other brands review because FUJi has here absolutely the best product you can dream of. I have a quite experience with digital cameras of any kind, I own two DSLR and they are in a bad shape comparing to this baby.
First it takes AMAZINGLY nice photos, with nice contrast, full of detail, excellent color reproduction and ALWAYS PERFECT light balance. The photographic quality of this camera is better than any so called "entry level" DSLR and they hate it!!! Hat down to FUJI for this camera it is a real photographic tool, with lens that is so good that I can't express it enough. If you will decide to go with DSLR you will have to spent AT LEAST $2000 to be on a par with this lens. Forget this stupid chi-chat of "the sensor size is smaller..., blah, blah, blah" who cares of the size if the photos are miles ahead and the convenience is untouchable by any DSLR? Ah?
Second all those who pour on this camera didn't find anything better to complain about that is "poor noisy ISO-1600". Who shot on ISO 1600 unless you are a spy ? I make some 22000 (twenty two thousands, not a typo) photos during a year 2005, I found 16 (sixteen, not a typo again) made on ISO 1600. It is pretty much useless ISO that virtually NO ONE uses. It is the same thing as to complain that your car has a poor acceleration on the altitudes above 8000 feet. May be it really does but who cares?!
Second this camera has SUPERIOR VIDEO mode. You can capture full blown videos, movies and make it as a top quality camcorder does and it is extremely nice!!! I don't take my camcorder anymore, I bring back some 15-20 minute of nice footage , because no one bother to watch longer than that anyway.
Third, the RAW mode. First of all the RAW isn't "hidden in the menus" but it is readily available with super usable, under finger "F" menu. Second no one who is not completely retarded takes RAW shots to convert them to JPEG. If you do it, take the basic photography class, read some books and do not embarrass yourself by publishing this pulp to everyone's eyes. You take in RAW something that is really worthy the effort, some super duper sunset for example and so on. And the included software converts it to TIFF because FUJI assumes that the camera users aren't morons!
Take this camera and learn to use it and enjoy photography. I use Fuji equipment for over two decades from their studio MF cameras to MF GA645-SZ and they never been anything less than THE BEST.
I can understand the fury of manufacturers of low end DSLRs but it is not a way to deal with a competition by pouring on the superior product. You should strive more and make better cameras. Fuji has its own superior sensor, they make their own superior glass, they have their own superior designers, they make unique , wonderful cameras. They have a luxury not to drag in a tail of someone else's sensor design they do on their own.
Every camera that I get from Fuji rejuvenates my interest to photography again and again. Thank you guys at FUJI.