Compared to... (3mp)
It's always difficult to know what type of comparison to perform with
Fujifilm's SuperCCD digital cameras, while we know that the sensor in
the S5000 has a three megapixel effective pixel count its native image
output size is six megapixels. Additionally Fujifilm's own marketing material
often refers to the six megapixel image size (which I feel is rather deceptive
to the uninformed buyer). Thus on this page we will compare the S5000
with a three megapixel image size (to a normal three megapixel digital
camera) and on the next page with a six megapixel image size (to a normal
five megapixel digital camera).
Studio scene comparison (at 3mp vs. Canon PowerShot A70)
Here we will be comparing the FinePix S5000 with an output image size of three megapixels to a 'normal CCD' three megapixel digital camera, in this case Canon's PowerShot A70. As you will note from the exposure values the A70 is more sensitive than its quoted ISO 50 producing almost the same shutter speed at F5.6 as the S5000 did at its rated ISO 200.
- Fujifilm FinePix S5000 Zoom: Aperture Priority mode, ISO 200, Default
Parameters,
Auto white balance, Image size 3mp (2048 x 1536)
- Canon PowerShot A70: Aperture Priority mode, ISO 50, Default Parameters,
Manual preset white balance, Image size 3mp (2048 x 1536)
| Fujifilm FinePix S5000 Zoom |
Canon PowerShot A70 |
| ISO 200, 1/7 sec, F5.6 |
ISO 50, 1/6 sec,
F5.6 |
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| 837 KB JPEG |
1,245 KB JPEG |
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Although I think it is fair to say that the S5000 produces as much resolution
as the three megapixel A70 there is certainly no great advantage exhitted
here of Fujifilm's SuperCCD design. Indeed if anything the A70's images
are cleaner (less noise) with better dynamic range, see how much more
highlight detail is visible on the spoons. The S5000's tonal balance is
more contrasty than the A70 and color response is stronger, especially
to reds.
Also available for download
Studio scene comparison (at 3mp vs. FinePix F700)
Next we compare the F700 (SuperCCD SR) to the S5000 (SuperCCD HR) at an output image size of three megapixels. Note that these two cameras are very similarly matched (from an exposure point of view) however the S5000 does not have a manual white balance option so its shot was taken with automatic white balance.
- Fujifilm FinePix S5000 Zoom: Aperture Priority mode, ISO 200,
Default Parameters,
Auto white balance, Image size 3mp (2048 x 1536)
- Fujifilm FinePix F700: Aperture Priority mode, ISO 200, Default
Parameters,
Manual preset white balance, Image size 3mp (2048 x 1536)
| Fujifilm
FinePix S5000 Zoom |
Fujifilm
FinePix F700 |
| ISO 200, 1/7 sec, F5.6 |
ISO 200, 1/7 sec, F5.6 |
 |
| 837 KB JPEG |
772 KB JPEG |
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As you can see the F700 delivers more resolution than the S5000, this
is probably down to the difference in lens quality, it's much easier to
make a compact high resolution three times zoom lens than the same with
ten times zoom. It's also worth noting the difference in sharpening between
these two cameras and also the 'roll off' in highlight detail (I hate
to say it but the S5000 with its 'standard' SuperCCD sensor produces more
pleasing highlights here).
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