Compared to the Nikon D100
Nikon's D100 is also based around the F80 (N80) body design and so looks quite similar to Fujifilm's S2 Pro. However the D100 is slightly smaller and lighter. The D100 features a six megapixel sensor and is priced approximately $400 less than the S2 Pro.
 Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro |
 Nikon D100 |
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| Kit price (street) | US - $2399 | US - $1999 |
| Sensor | 6.2 megapixel SuperCCD III | 6.3 megapixel CCD |
| Final image size | 4256 x 2848 / 3024 x 2016 | 3008 x 2000 |
| FOV crop | 1.5x | 1.5x |
| Lens mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon F mount |
| Colour space | sRGB (Adobe RGB only from RAW) | sRGB (2), Adobe RGB |
| Sensitivity | ISO 100 - 1600 | ISO 200 - 1600, HI-1, HI-2 |
| Metering | 3D Matrix (10 segment) CW Average Spot |
3D Matrix (10 segment) CW Average Spot |
| Shutter | 30 - 1/4000 sec | 30 - 1/4000 sec |
| Bulb | Yes | Yes |
| Flash X-Sync | 1/125 sec | 1/180 sec |
| Exposure compen. | +/-3 EV in 0.5 EV steps | +/- 5 EV in 0.3, 0.5 EV steps |
| Exposure steps | 0.5 EV | 0.3 or 0.5 EV steps |
| AF | TTL, 5 AF points | TTL, 5 AF points |
| AF system | Nikon Multi-CAM900 | Nikon Multi-CAM900 |
| AF assist lamp | Yes | Yes |
| Self-timer | 2, 5, 10 or 20 secs | 2, 5, 10 or 20 secs |
| Continuous | 2 fps, max 8 JPEG images | 3 fps, max JPEG 7/8 images |
| White balance | Auto, 6 settings, 2 manual | Auto, 6 settings, manual, fine tuneable |
| WB Bracket | No | Yes |
| Image params. | Color Tone Sharpening |
Sharpening Tone Color mode Hue |
| Image formats | JPEG, RAW, TIFF | JPEG, RAW, TIFF |
| Flash | Pop-up | Pop-up |
| Flash hot-shoe | Yes | Yes |
| Mirror lock-up | No | Yes, 'Anti-mirror-shock' |
| PC Sync terminal | Yes | No |
| LCD monitor | 1.8" 117,000 pixel | 1.8" 118,000 pixel |
| LCD cover | Yes, semitransparent | Yes, transparent |
| Status panel | Yes, illuminated | Yes, illuminated |
| Viewfinder | 92% coverage, grid lines | 95% coverage, grid lines |
| User memories | 1 | 2 (A or B) |
| Storage | CF Type I/II SmartMedia |
CF Type I/II |
| Connectivity | Firewire (IEEE 1394) USB 1.1 |
USB 1.1 |
| RAW Conversion | Yes, included RAW converter LE Optional Converter EX for full features |
Yes, included Nikon View Editor Optional Nikon Capture 3 for full features |
| PC Remote control | Optional software | Yes, supplied software |
| Portrait grip | None | Optional |
| Power | 2 x CR123A Lithium batteries 4 x AA batteries (NiMH recommended) |
Supplied Lithium-Ion 1400 mAh |
| Weight (no lens) | 874 g (1.9 lb) | 775 g (1.7 lb) |
From this comparison the D100 is certainly looking like the stronger camera. The main advantage points for the D100 are: lower price, smaller and lighter weight, Adobe RGB in-camera, 0.3 EV exposure steps, 3 fps continuous shooting, fine tuneable white balance and single battery solution.
Studio scene comparison (S2 Pro at 6.1 mp)
This is our standard studio scene comparison shot taken from the same tripod position within about a minute of each other. Lighting: 2 x 800W studio lights with dichroic daylight filters bounced off a white ceiling reflector. Crops magnified 200%.
- Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro: Color/Tone/Sharpness: Standard, Self-Timer,
White balance: Manual Preset, Manual Exposure, Manual Focus, Nikkor
50 mm F1.4 lens, 6.1 mp/Fine JPEG
- Nikon D100: Sharpening: Auto, Tone: Auto, Color Mode: I, Self-Timer, White balance: Manual Preset, Manual Exposure, Manual Focus, Nikkor 50 mm F1.4 lens, Large/Fine JPEG
Note that this comparison was made at the S2 Pro resolution of 6.1 mp. This is to enable a fair comparison to the D100, to make the crops easier to compare and also because I believe the S2 Pro's 6.1 mp resolution will be the most commonly used. You can download a 12 mp version of this scene from a link at the bottom of this page. Note also that the S2 Pro was set to ISO 200 for fair comparison to the D100.
| Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro (JPEG) | Nikon D100 (JPEG) |
| ISO 200, F8, 0.5 sec | ISO 200, F8, 0.5 sec |
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| 2,481 KB JPEG | 2,635 KB JPEG |
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Colour response is very similar, the D100 seems to manage with slightly overexposed reds better than the S2 Pro. Tonal balance was also very similar, both cameras 'clipped' at almost the exact same place. Resolution and sharpness is another matter, the S2 Pro's visibly higher resolution and stronger sharpening do make the D100 image look soft. Note also though that a in a couple of places in the S2 Pro image there are some hints of moiré.
You may also download:
- Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro Scene at ISO 100, 6.1 mp (2,481 KB)
- Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro Scene at ISO 100, 12 mp (4,676 KB)
- Nikon D100 Scene, Sharpening: Normal (2,706 KB) *
- Nikon D100 Scene, Sharpening: Hard (2,411 KB)
* Softer than the 'Auto' setting
