The S20Pro follows on from the 4900, 6900, S602 series of Prosumer cameras and was launched alongside the 7000. it uses a variation of the "SuperCCD" which fuji claims provides an enhanced dynamic range of colour tones. actual output to file is 6mp.
The S20 offers exposure times up to 30 seconds and ISO settings from 100 to 1600 ASA although the higher ISO settings are limited to 1mp.
Zoom range is 7.8 to 46.8mm. and offer two macro settings including "super macro" which allows you to come as close as about 2 cetimetres to your subject.
An added benefit of this series of fuji cameras are dual media slots that allow you to use either XD, Compact Flash or Microdrive.
The S20Pro also has an excellent 30 frames per second 640x480 vdeo mode that delivers quality cose to digital video camcorders the only real let down being monural sound and the lack of an extermal mic socket.
Read about alternatives to the Fujifilm S20Pro by clicking here for more camera reviews, product comparisons, photography information, digital camera price comparisons, digital SLR cameras, digital compact cameras, film SLR camera, photography books, camera lenses and camera accessories.
Author
speckled wood Commander of the Wild Empire
Registered: August 2006 Location: Peoples Democratic Republic of South Cheshire Posts: 1248
Review Date: Sun 5, November, 2006
Would you recommend it? Yes |
Total Spent: £399.00| Rating: 10
Strengths:
Comfortable to hold, reliable supermacro, dual media slots, excellent video mode
Weaknesses:
poor positioning of auto/manual of focus switch,
I purchased my S20Pro in July 2004 and found it will suited to my main interest which is photographing butterflies, I find that it also delivers reasonable all round performance for general photography. An early use of the camera on the Dover Cliffs provided images where it was just possible to discern farm buildings over 20 miles away over the English Channel in France.
I also find that the video mode is able to handle subects as small as hoverflies and reproduce the sound of their wing beats! I find the audio of the video mode adequate for recording bird sold close by for identification purposes once I get home .... here though the ability to add an extenal mic might have further increased its potential.
This camera does also have the same superb Macro and SuperMacro (focus as close as 1 CM as found on the 7000 and the S602, the supermacro is absolutely superb for photographing insects and Fourwings has commented for the 7000 the results are easily comparable for quality to many high-end digital SLRs
One small let down is the postioning of the auto/manual focus switch which easily gets accidentally knocked to the manual focus postition .... same problem on 602/7000 and 9500.
Sadly experience has taught me that the successor to the S20Pro and 7000 the 9500 is unable to match the macro and supermacro performance on the S20Pro, 7000 and S602. Whilst you are unlikely to find remaining stocks of the S20Pro in the shops if one is found or a 7000 I would have no hesitation in advising you to purchase one whilst you have the chance.
