Fuji S3 SR sensor

I've just read two reviews of Fuji's new S20, and the reviewers concur that its SR sensor improves dynamic range some, although not dramatically. This finding is consistent with reviews of the older F700, which also contains a dual pixel sensor.

My impression, after reviewing comparison shots, is that sensor helps with shadow detail more than with the highlights (although that finding might just be a function of how those photos were taken). There's a suggestion that adjusting dual raw files, produced from the two pixel types, could improve dynamic range even more. It sounds like a lot of work, though.

Is there reason to expect that SR sensor technology will function better with the impending S3? Can the S3's sensor size impact favorably upon SR performance?

Joe, I think it is reasonable to expect that it will have some improvements.

I think the camera when announced was also only half baked so it appears that there is room for improvement. Even though I'll likely get blasted for these comments, I am really wondering if the camera will even make it to be released this year to be honest.

I have been through a roller coaster ride as of late on where i want to go with my camera future and after looking in the Mac waters, looking at the D2H and D70, and thinking about the S3 I opted to purchase a tablet PC right now and wait it out for a while and see what happens. BTW, the Tablet PC is awesome for photography applications!

I still think Nikon will come along with a D2X, they almost have to or else end up getting whipped in by Canon and their MK II.

The S2 with its 12MP files makes it hard to justify switching.

BTW, I would agree with your comment about the shadows being improved over the highlights. Kodaks SHO pro does the same thing and you do not have to wait for the S3 to get the benefit. Simply under expose by .5 - 1.5 stops and then use the SHO Pro to bring up the shadows, this does more for my dynamic range than anything else I have seen and its a lot cheaper than an S3! ;-) It also allows you to save the highlights too.

Later!
Mark

Joe Melillo said:

I've just read two reviews of Fuji's new S20, and the reviewers
concur that its SR sensor improves dynamic range some, although not
dramatically. This finding is consistent with reviews of the older
F700, which also contains a dual pixel sensor.

My impression, after reviewing comparison shots, is that sensor
helps with shadow detail more than with the highlights (although
that finding might just be a function of how those photos were
taken). There's a suggestion that adjusting dual raw files,
produced from the two pixel types, could improve dynamic range even
more. It sounds like a lot of work, though.

Is there reason to expect that SR sensor technology will function
better with the impending S3? Can the S3's sensor size impact
favorably upon SR performance?

Click to expand...

--
Thanks!
Mark

Fuji S2 Pro
Tamron's 19-35, 90 Macro
Nikon's 24-120VR & 70-200VR, 80-400VR
Nikon's 20mm F2.8, 50mm 1.8
http://www.radphotos.net

You can BET it will be a whole bunch different. Pro verses consumer has a lot to do with camera software.

Steve Bingham
http://www.dustylens.com

Joe Melillo said:

I've just read two reviews of Fuji's new S20, and the reviewers
concur that its SR sensor improves dynamic range some, although not
dramatically. This finding is consistent with reviews of the older
F700, which also contains a dual pixel sensor.

My impression, after reviewing comparison shots, is that sensor
helps with shadow detail more than with the highlights (although
that finding might just be a function of how those photos were
taken). There's a suggestion that adjusting dual raw files,
produced from the two pixel types, could improve dynamic range even
more. It sounds like a lot of work, though.

Is there reason to expect that SR sensor technology will function
better with the impending S3? Can the S3's sensor size impact
favorably upon SR performance?

Click to expand...

the SR sensor does not come into its own UNLESS you shoot in RAW

the HS2-utilty software that comes with it alows you to choose how much extra dynamic rage you wish to add!!

if you only shoot in JPG you may see a only a slight inprovment in certian conditions

rember the fuji sensor has about the best dynamic range of all and if they make an inprovement its not going to be much of one

--
Chris Horsley
Fuji s602Z
Tcon17

Thanks for the SHO tip- I'll give it a try.
Joe

Mark Abraham said:

I think the camera when announced was also only half baked so it
appears that there is room for improvement. Even though I'll
likely get blasted for these comments, I am really wondering if the
camera will even make it to be released this year to be honest.

I have been through a roller coaster ride as of late on where i
want to go with my camera future and after looking in the Mac
waters, looking at the D2H and D70, and thinking about the S3 I
opted to purchase a tablet PC right now and wait it out for a while
and see what happens. BTW, the Tablet PC is awesome for
photography applications!

I still think Nikon will come along with a D2X, they almost have to
or else end up getting whipped in by Canon and their MK II.

The S2 with its 12MP files makes it hard to justify switching.

BTW, I would agree with your comment about the shadows being
improved over the highlights. Kodaks SHO pro does the same thing
and you do not have to wait for the S3 to get the benefit. Simply
under expose by .5 - 1.5 stops and then use the SHO Pro to bring up
the shadows, this does more for my dynamic range than anything else
I have seen and its a lot cheaper than an S3! ;-) It also allows
you to save the highlights too.

Later!
Mark

Joe Melillo said:

I've just read two reviews of Fuji's new S20, and the reviewers
concur that its SR sensor improves dynamic range some, although not
dramatically. This finding is consistent with reviews of the older
F700, which also contains a dual pixel sensor.

My impression, after reviewing comparison shots, is that sensor
helps with shadow detail more than with the highlights (although
that finding might just be a function of how those photos were
taken). There's a suggestion that adjusting dual raw files,
produced from the two pixel types, could improve dynamic range even
more. It sounds like a lot of work, though.

Is there reason to expect that SR sensor technology will function
better with the impending S3? Can the S3's sensor size impact
favorably upon SR performance?

Click to expand...

--
Thanks!
Mark

Fuji S2 Pro
Tamron's 19-35, 90 Macro
Nikon's 24-120VR & 70-200VR, 80-400VR
Nikon's 20mm F2.8, 50mm 1.8
http://www.radphotos.net

Click to expand...

My bet is that the differences will be similar to what we saw with the original Super CCD sensor. The improvements offered by the Super CCD in digicams with small sensors was marginal at best, but in the S1 & S2 the improvement was quite noticeable. Wether this has something to do with sensor size or processing algorithms I don't know. I suspect the SR sensor will better show it's virtues in the S3 moreso than in the F400 & S20. Just my thoughts.