End-of-Year Release for Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

: Fujifilm has announced that its long-awaited FinePix S3 Pro digital SLR camera is likely to be released worldwide in late October.

The new model, which features a Super CCD SR II sensor with 6 million photosites (two photodiodes per photosite) has a body based on the popular Nikon F80 and accepts a wide range of Nikon lenses. Its lens multiplier factor is 1.5x, the same as on Nikon DSLRs. Highlights of the S3 Pro include:
* An expanded dynamic range, achieved through the sensor’s double photodiode structure. Users will be able to control the dynamic range by adjusting the mixing ratio between the sensor’s ‘S pixels’ and ‘R pixels’.
* Film simulation modes that allow users to choose between soft, wide latitude images resembling those from Fuji’s Professional Negative Film (F1) and saturated, contrasty images like those from Velvia reversal film (F2).
* Adobe RGB and sRGB colour space selection.
* Three JPEG compression levels plus 14-bit CCD-RAW and the ability to disable the embedded JPEG file in RAW format to reduce file sizes.
* Dual CompactFlash (I/II) and xD-Picture Card slots plus Microdrive support.
* Fast response times, including start-up in half a second with any compatible media type, FireWire and USB 2.0 interfaces and ultra-fast image data transfer.
* Dual shutter release buttons to support horizontal and vertical shooting plus a 10-pin Nikon electric remote socket.
Other features include a redesigned body with more rounded contours, a moulded rear grip and improved card compartment; a dual monitor design with a large (2-inch) LCD display with 235,000 pixels and D-TTL flash metering. Shutter speed settings range from 30 to 1/4000 second with flash synch at 1/180 second and sensitivity is adjustable from ISO 100 to ISO 1600. The FinePix S3 Pro is powered by four AA batteries and has a body weight of 835 grams.
Details of local availability and pricing will be posted on this website when they are released.