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Taking a closer look at the new Fujifilm S3 Pro image sensor
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From the press release on the Fujifilm S3 Pro announced this week, it's not obvious that Fuji has made a major step forward in the development of their Super CCD. Looking at the features of the S3 Pro vs. the S2 Pro we see a 2.0" LCD (was 1.8") with the double amount of pixels, the use of xD-picture card (was SmartMedia), USB 2 connectivity (was USB 1) and slightly bigger dimensions and weight. But the real difference is in the CCD...
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As you might know FujiFilm announced in October 1999 the successful development of a new CCD called the Super CCD
(Read more at this news item).
Through the years Fuji developed several new generations of the Super CCD and in January 2003, they announced the 4th-Generation Super CCD, This new generation Super CCDs enabled the development of two new CCDs - the Super CCD HR (High Resolution) and the Super CCD SR (Super Dynamic Range).
This Super CCD SR incorporates both large, high-sensitivity S-pixels and smaller R-pixels for expanded dynamic range. By combining data from both sensor elements according to the composition of the scene, the Super CCD SR is able to deliver both high sensitivity and expanded dynamic range.
In the new Fuji S3 Pro, Fuji has taken the development of the Super CCD SR one step further. As shown in the above picture, the new Super CCD SR II has its "R-pixels" relocated from the top of the "S-pixel" to a central location between the S-pixels.
The impact of this change can be dramatic; the effective size of the S-pixel doubled and the R-pixel can not only be used to expand the dynamic range, but - because of its new location - it can add improved image resolution when some clever in camera processing is applied.
I soon hope to look at a side-by-side image comparison, to see if the theory holds out in practice
Click here to view the S3 Brochure in PDF format
The Fujifilm S3 Pro and the Fujifilm S2 Pro side-by-side
Products
name |
FinePix S3 Pro |
FinePix S2 Pro |
Number
of
Effective
pixels* |
12.34
million
(S-pixel: 6.17 million
R-pixel: 6.17 million) |
6.17
million |
| CCD |
size |
23.0
x 15.5 mm
Super CCD SR II |
23.0
x 15.5 mm
Super CCD |
Number
of
total pixels* |
12.9
million
(S-pixel: 6.45 million
R-pixel: 6.45 million) |
6.49
million |
Number
of
recorded
pixels* |
4,256
x 2,848 (12.1 million)
3,024 x 2,016
2,304 x 1,536
1,440 x 960 |
4,256
x 2,848 (12.1 million)
3,024 x 2,016
2,304 x 1,536
1,440 x 960 |
| File
format |
CCD-RAW
Exif (JPEG) |
CCD-RAW,
TIFF-RGB Exif
(JPEG) |
Storage
media |
xD-Picture
Card
Microdrive |
SmartMedia
Card /
Microdrive** |
Lens
focal
length |
Nikon
F-mount
|
Interchangeable
Nikon lenses
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| LCD |
2.0"
low-temperature
polysilicon TFT
235,000 pixels |
1.8"
low-temperature
polysilicon TFT
117,600 pixels |
| Movie
Recording |
No |
No |
| Voice
memo |
No |
Yes |
| Internet-conferencing |
No |
No |
| Video
output |
NTSC
& PAL |
NTSC
or PAL
(playback only) |
Digital
interface |
USB
2.0 (HS) / IEEE1394 |
USB
& IEEE1394 |
| PictureCradle |
No |
No |
| Power
source |
4
AA Ni-MH
AC Power Adapter
|
AA
x 4
(Alkaline, Ni-MH)
or AC Power Adapter
CR123A x 2
(Lithium Battery)
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Dimensions
(W x H x D) |
147.8
x 135.3 x 80.0 mm |
141.5
x 131 x 79.5 mm
5.6 x 5.2 x 3.1 in. |
Weight
(approx.) |
835g
(excluding battery) |
760
g / 27 oz.
(excluding batteries and lens) |
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Additional information: Flash introduction to the original SuperCCD concept |
| July 31, 2004 |
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