Fujifilm FinePix S7000 6.3 MP With its compact SLR-style body, manual controls, and powerful optics, the FujiFilm FinePix S7000 is a great choice for professional photographers or advanced amateurs. The S7000 combines a 6x optical zoom with a 6.3-megapixel Fujifilm Super CCD, which is capable of nearly doubling the number of effective pixels that are processed and stored. The S7000 also features movie mode with audio, dual memory slots (XD and CompactFlash), and USB 2.0 connectivity.
The FinePix S7000’s Super CCD HR features a powerful f2.8 Fujinon 6x aspherical zoom lens that’s equivalent to 35-210mm in 35mm photography and a smooth 3.2x digital zoom. The S7000 offers 6.3 effective megapixels (2848 x 2136 pixels), which can translate to 12 million recorded pixels (4048 x 3040 pixels). It also offers 2848 x 2136, 2016 x 1512, 1600 x 1200, and 1280 x 960 resolution modes.
Effective pixels are the number of light sensitive pixels that are actually used by the camera’s image sensor (the CCD) to record light. The term recorded pixels refers to the number of output pixels that are recorded to the memory card.
The Super CCD is a proprietary version of the CCD (charged coupling device) system of light-gathering diodes that captures images into pixels. The Super CCD utilizes larger, octagonal-shaped, light-gathering diodes called Picture Elements (pixels) that are laid out in a saw-tooth pattern. Super CCDs can capture more light information than ordinary CCDs.
The FinePix S7000 features the fourth generation Super CCD HR (High Resolution), which is capable of nearly doubling the number of effective pixels that are processed and stored as additional detail in the recorded pixel file.
Helpful consumer’s review
This camera evokes love/hate relationship based on the numerous reviews and comments from users. So the bottom line really is the picture quality.
Prior to owning this I had been an Nikon and Canon SLR user but like many, I also have to adapt to the current trend in using digicams. So before purchasing, I spent a whole month researching through the web, visited shops and get a feel of the current digicams on offer. In my quest for the best digicam for my needs, I have seen their output, held the camera itself and thoroughly inspected everything about them. Besides, Im spending U$600-700 so I really need the best for my needs. In those times, I have seen them all, and finally purchased the S7000.
What about S7000? I must say that the picture quality of this camera is best at 6mp native resolution. Although it is capable of taking 12MP interpolated photos, I would personally skip that because at that resolution it does become noticeable noisy. However, pictures taken at 6MP and below are by far the best amonth the current offerings. I have tested the Minolta Dimage A1, Nikon coolpix 5700, Sony F707 and the Canon and by far the Fuji have the best color saturation, more natural, vibrant and crisp photos among these cameras.
At U$650, you just cannot go wrong with the S7000. The other cameras mentioned here are even pricier and doesnt give all the extras that the Fuji can give.
Right now, I am having a blast taking photos with this baby witout worrying about film development cost. It is a great way to learn the ropes about photography espcially in manual mode because as long as you have the memory, you can practice your skills endlessly.
When I am done with it, I would like to upgrade to the Nikon D100 because despite the excellent features of s7000 it still is not perfect, but the s7000 is way ahead of the current Nikon, Canon, Minolta offerings at this price range.
