Fujifilm FinePix S9600

Image quality in the FinePix S9600 has been enhanced through improvements to its processing algorithms, which result in improved image sharpness and resolution. Composition of photographs is made easier with an increased-size two-inch tilting LCD monitor, providing even clearer, flexible shooting at awkward high or low angles. A higher resolution of 230,000-pixels gives greater screen clarity. Composition of photographs using the LCD screen further differentiates the camera from conventional digital SLRs, which rely solely on a viewfinder for composition and make use of the LCD screen for image playback only.

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FEATURES

Fujinon 10.7x optical zoom lens
The camera's 10.7x (28-300mm 35mm equivalent) zoom lens incorporates aspherical elements that result in a sharper image. The aspherical elements in the lens ensure that the path of light is as precise as possible, which in turn minimises distortion and aberrations. The lens is easily controlled via a manual zoom ring to give pinpoint accuracy when composing images. Furthermore, its fixed housing ensures that users do not have to contend with specks of dust or dirt collecting on the sensor. This can compromise image quality and is a drawback often associated with conventional digital SLRs.

Improved image quality and autofocus
Fujifilm continually strives to achieve better performance in low light. In these conditions, the FinePix S9600 has an autofocus response time that is up to 40 per cent quicker than its predecessor. In addition to the camera's 0.01 second shutter-lag and 0.8 second start-up time, this means that images can be composed and captured almost instantaneously. Combined with Fujifilm's acclaimed high ISO performance, which combats image blur caused by subject movement as well as camera shake, the FinePix S9600's responsiveness makes it an ideal tool for enthusiast photographers looking to photograph fast paced subjects such as those at sporting events or in the wild.

Intelligent Flash system
In another advance on its predecessor, the FinePix S9600 features Fujifilm's Intelligent Flash system, which delivers balanced flash power output. Historically, using flash at night has resulted in unsatisfying backgrounds, be it the black, underexposed appearance of conventional flash or the blurred 'swirl' of slow-sync flash. By comparison, Intelligent Flash means that images captured in low light have not only a blur-free well-exposed background but also natural-looking foreground illumination, free from the stark brightness that can be a by-product of flash photography.

Software and optional accessories
Enthusiast photographers will appreciate the Hyper Utility Software HS-V2 version 3 that is bundled as standard for the first time with the FinePix S9600. This software gives full functionality in RAW file conversion, which enables the photographer to explore the control and flexibility enjoyed when working with a 'lossless' file format.

The FinePix S9600's optional Wide Conversion Lens , WL-FXS6 , expands the camera's wide-angle capability without compromising image quality. It allows the extreme angles of view normally only available with changeable lenses on an SLR camera. Also available is an optional premium leather case.

The camera comes with shoulder strap, USB and A/V cables, Lens cap and hood and, in addition to the new Hyper Utility Software, also comes with USB driver, FinePix Viewer ImageMixer VCD2 for FinePix and RAW File Converter LE.

FinePix S9600 features at a glance:

Super CCD HR sensor delivering nine million effective pixels
Real Photo Processor II reduces noise and delivers enhanced colour reproduction
New Fujinon 10.7x (28-300mm) fixed optical zoom lens with manual twist barrel control
Sensitivity setting of ISO 1600 at full resolution for low light photography with reduced noise
Low sensitivity of ISO 80 for ultra-high quality photography
Ultra-fast response times (0.01 second shutter lag and 0.8 second start-up)
Improved autofocus response time in low light conditions
Improved image processing algorithms resulting in increased image sharpness and resolution
Intelligent Flash system
2.0” (230,000 pixel) tilting LCD screen for easy high and low angle shooting
Hyper Utility Software HS-V2 version 3 for RAW format shooting
Real-time histogram to assist exposure settings before shooting
Highlight Warning feature for displaying highlight areas in playback
TV-quality VGA movie recording of 30 frames per second with sound
Closed unit design to eliminate dust accumulation on the CCD
Hotshoe and PC sync terminal
Both xD-Picture Card™ and Compact Flash™/Microdrive compatible
PictBridge™ compatible for direct printing without a PC

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PICTURES

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SPECIFICATION

Sensor	• 1/1.6" Type CCD (Super CCD HR) • 9.24 million pixels total • 9.0 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 3488 x 2616 • 3696 × 2464 (3:2 format) • 2592 x 1944 • 2048 x 1536 • 1600 × 1200 • 640 × 480
Movie clips	• 640 x 480 @ 30fps • 320 x 240 @ 30fps • with monaural sound
File formats	• CCD-RAW • JPEG (Exif Ver 2.2) • Movie AVI (Motion JPEG ) • Design rule for Camera File system compliant • DPOF-compatible
Lens	• 28-300mm (35 mm equiv) • F2.8-4.9 • 10.7x zoom
Image stabilization	No
Conversion lenses	Yes
Digital zoom	up to 2x
Focus	• Auto focus (Area,Multi,Center) • Manual focus • Continuous AF
AF assist lamp	Yes
Focus distance	• Normal: (wide) Approx. 40cm to infinity (Tele) Approx. 2.0m to infinity • Macro: (wide) Approx. 10cm - 3.0m (Tele) Approx. 90cm - 3.0m • Super Macro: (wide) Approx. 1cm - 1.0m
Metering	256-zone TTL metering-Multi/Spot/Average
ISO sensitivity	• AUTO • ISO 80 • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600
Exposure compensation	n/a
Shuttter speed	• 1/4sec. to 1/4000 sec(Auto/Anti Blur/Natural Light/Portrait/Landscape) • 4sec.to 1/500sec (Night Scene) • 4sec to 1/4000sec (P/S/A) 30sec to 1/4000sec ( M) • Bulb (Up to 30sec)
Aperture	F2.8- F11 (13 steps in 1/3 EV increments Manual/Auto selectable)
Modes	• Programmed AE • Aperture Priority AE • Shutter Priority AE • Manual • Normal Auto • Scene Position • Anti-Blur • Natural Light • Portrait • Landscape • Night
White balance	• Automatic • Manual ( Fine, Shade, Fluorescent light (Daylight), Fluorescent light (Warm White), Fluorescent light (Cool White), Incandescent light, Custom(2 types)
Self timer	2 or 10 sec
Continuous shooting	• Top-4: Max. 1.5 frames / sec. up to 4 frames • Final- 4: Max. 1.5 frames / sec. up to 4 frames • Long-period: Max 1.1 frames / sec. up to 40 frames
Image parameters	Standard, Chrome, B&W
Flash	• Auto flash • Range: (wide) 30cm to 5.6m (Tele) 90cm to 3.0m • Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Forced Flash, Suppressed Flash, Slow Synch, Red-eye Reduction + Slow Synch
Viewfinder	Electronic Viewfinder
LCD monitor	• 2.0-inch Low temperature polysilicon TFT • 235,000 pixels
Connectivity	• Video out NTSC/PAL • USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Print compliance	PictBridge
Storage	• xD-Picture Card (16MB - 2GB) • CF card and MicroDrive
Power	• 4x AA alkaline or NiMH battery • Optional AC adapter
Weight (no batt)	650 g (22.9 oz)
Dimensions	128 x 93 x 129 mm (5 x 3.7 x 5.1 in)