Fuji FinePix S2 Pro (2002)
A digital SLR built on the Nikon N80 body, with Fuji's Super CCD sensor and a dual battery system.
Overview
The Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro is an interchangeable lens digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera announced on January 30th, 2002. It uses a third-generation Super CCD sensor with 12 million recorded pixels and is based on the Nikon N80 film camera body. It has aperture and shutter priority modes, a built-in pop-up flash with a range of 15 meters, and a five-area cross-ranged autofocus system. It weighs 850 grams with batteries. The body is a large SLR and keeps the N80's physical design cues, with revised digital controls on the rear.
Specifications
| CCD size | Standard DX size CCD: 23 x 16mm |
| Native resolution | 3,024 x 2,016 |
| Downsampled resolutions | 2,304 x 1,536 and 1,440 x 960 |
| Upsampled resolution | 4,256 x 2,848 pixels |
| ISO range | ISO 100 - 1,600 |
| Flash sync speed | 1/125 |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Continuous shooting speed | 2 FPS, 7 or 8 frame buffer |
| No mirror lock-up | No mirror lock-up |
| White balance | Plenty of white balance settings, but no ability to fine-tune each one |
| Flash terminal | Has a PC terminal for studio flash |
| Built-in flash | Yes (pop-up) |
| Flash range | 15.00 m |
| Data connection | Firewire |
| Media | Takes standard CF and microdrives, also SmartMedia |
| Formats | JPG (sRGB), RAW and TIF (both sRGB and Adobe RGB) |
| Histograms | Individual R, G and B histograms |
| Based on/Built from | Nikon N80 body |
| Operation speed | 2 FPS |
| Battery system | Two separate sets: 4 x AA (for electronics) and 2 x CR123 (for mechanics) |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 850 g (1.87 lb / 29.98 oz) |
| Body type | Large SLR |
| Shutter modes | Aperture priority, Yes; Shutter priority, Yes |
| Autofocus system | Cross-ranged, five area Autofocus System |
Design
The Fuji S2 Pro is essentially a Nikon N80 with Fuji's digital internals, and the N80 heritage shows in the body. The controls for the digital functions are all on the back of the camera. The rear cover is plastic and described as cheaper in feel. The viewfinder eyepiece is small, and the LCD cover looks like cloudy Tupperware.
Context
Announced on January 30th, 2002, the Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro beat the Nikon D100 and Canon EOS-D60 to market by nearly three weeks, which made it a leading DSLR in its time. Fujifilm had no 35mm autofocus system of its own, so it based the S2 Pro on Nikon's established platform. The camera was seen as a high-resolution alternative for studio use, despite its ergonomic shortcomings and higher cost compared to the D100.
Market
The most commonly noted issue is the battery system, which needs two separate battery types. Some users praise the image quality, especially the upsampled 4.2 MB JPGs and the downsampled images. Others criticize the slow operation, the limited flash sync speed and the unintuitive menu system. It was reportedly chosen over more expensive alternatives like the Olympus E-1, E-5, and E-30.
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.