Fujifilm’s FinePix S9000 is a high res ultra zoom 9 Megapixel digital camera. At the heart of the S9000 (also known as the S9500) is Fujifilm’s 5th generation SuperCCD sensor. The S9000 uses Fujifilm’s Real Photo Technology which allows for lower noise at high ISOs than comparable cameras, fast performance, and improved battery life. Another appealing feature on the S9000 is its 10.7X zoom lens. While most ultra zoom lenses are 38 – 380 mm (or similar), the S9000’s lens starts at 28 mm for some good wide-angle action.
Fujifilm FinePix S9000/S9500 Spec Sheet
[Full Fujifilm FinePix S9000 Spec Sheet at Digital Camera Info]
Fujifilm FinePix S9000/S9500 Sample Images
[Sample Photos at Consumer Electronic Net]
[Sample S9000/S9500 Images at Camera Labs]
[S9000 Sample Images at Imaging Resource]
[Sample Pictures at Steve's Digicams]
More Fujifilm FinePix S9000/S9500 Reviews
Coming soon…
Consumer Electronic Net – 07/27/2006 – has reviewed the 9 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix S9000 / S9500 and here’s the verdict – “After using the camera for a week, I have yet to find anything that I don’t like with the unit. The lens motor did seem a bit loud, but this is probably due to the fact that this unit is a review unit that has been around the block a few times. The S9000 has the right heft and size (5×3.7×5.1, around 32 oz with batteries) to it that you won’t introduce too much shake
Digital Camera Info – 06/19/2006 – has posted a head-to-head shoot out between the Panasonic Lumix FZ30 and Fujifilm FinePix S9000 and here’s the bottom line. “In the end, both the FZ30 and the S9000 are very convenient cameras“ easy to carry, with complete manual controls and long zoom ranges. For users who are content with their speed and image quality, they’ll handle many, many shooting situations quite effectively. The choice between the two again comes down to priority: if you need the additional wide angle capability and prefer to shoot available light, the choice would have to be the S9000. However, if you’re drawn to the all-in-one element of the cameras and don’t want to haul around a tripod, the FZ30’s effective image stabilization, superior optical and color performance, and additional durability are all far beyond the S9000. Particular needs aside, for $70 less, the Panasonic FZ30 is clearly the stronger value.”
Cameras UK – 05/30/2006 – has a new review of the 9 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix S9000 / S9500 and rate it 83 out of 100. They write – “If you do not want the expense of a Digital SLR camera then the Fuji Finepix S9500 could be the answer you are looking for. It has a great set of features and takes good photos. I was especially impressed with its work indoors is less than perfect light. This is certainly a camera for someone who is serious about photography rather than someone with a passing interest.”
Bytesector – 02/09/2006 – has completed their review of the 9 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix S9000 and here’s their conclusion. “With glaring weaknesses like the quality of optics on point-and-shoots, as well as the very high image noise, it’s hard for me to recommend this camera unless you absolutely need the 9 megapixel sensor for print purposes. For the cost, you could spend a bit more and get your hands on a Pentax *ist or a Nikon D50 with lens. You’ll get a camera capable of higher quality images with less noise, as well as the ability to upgrade and switch between any number of lenses.”
Camera Labs – 01/13/2006 – has a new review of the 9 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix S9000 and here’s the verdict – “Fujifilm’s answer to image stabilisation is high sensitivity, and this was one area where we expected to find compromised noise levels. In practice though noise levels on the S9500 were surprisingly low, delivering good results up to 400 ISO and respectable performance at 800 ISO. At 1600 ISO, artifacts had become clearly visible – see last image on Gallery page – but all-in-all it’s a useful facility to have and an impressive result for a camera with a physically small sensor and high resolution.
Biosmagazine – 01/10/2006 – has reviewed the 9 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix S9000 and here’s their conclusion. “In our tests the FinePix S9500 was comfortable to use, robust, and relatively easy to use – although we have seen much better menu systems. Captured images contained and a good level of detail and colour considering the small physical size of the sensor, and Fujifilm has got noise levels under control, too (except for ISO 1600). It didn’t quite approach the quickness or low light/high ISO prowess of most digital SLRs, but certainly performed well enough to suit the needs of most amateur photographers. The flash hot-shoe permits the use of powerful external strobes, and it even offers a threaded cable-release socket on its shutter button.”
Imaging Resource – 12/15/2005 – has a new review of the Fujifilm FinePix 9000/9500 and here is their opinion. “As time goes on, the falling prices of digital SLRs make it harder and harder for high-end all-in-one cameras to find a place in the market. That said though, the Fujifilm FinePix S9000 makes a pretty compelling case for itself, offering an excellent 10.7x zoom lens (that extends to a very useful wide angle equivalent focal length of 28mm) and loads of resolution at a price a hundred dollars or more less than the least expensive d-SLR equipped with only a modest 3x zoom. It doesn’t quite approach the quickness or low light/high ISO prowess of most d-SLRs, but certainly does well enough in these areas to suit the needs of most amateur photographers. A flash hot-shoe permits the use of powerful external strobes, and it even offers a threaded cable-release socket on its shutter button. (Why more digital camera makers don’t offer this is beyond us, it can’t cost more than a few pennies to add to a camera, and is very useful for all sorts of situations where you don’t want to jostle the camera by pressing the shutter button.) Control-wise, the Fuji S9000 offers a full range of exposure modes from fully automatic to fully manual, with program, aperture-priority and shutter-priority in between, as well as a good handful of useful scene modes.
Digital Camera Buyer 12/11/2005 – has reviewed the 9 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix 9000/9500 and this is what they had to say. “For those users in search of a DSLR in prosumer guise, we suggest that you look elsewhere. Although the FinePix S9000 has no serious problems to speak of, it does carry a few too many weaknesses to reinvigorate the prosumer market singlehandedly.”
Photography Blog – 11/28/2005 – has completed its review of the 9 megapixel Fujifilm Finepix S9000/S9500 and here’s the verdict – “If you look at the Fujifilm Finepix S9500 Zoom as a rival to the likes of the Sony Cybershot DSC-H1, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 and Canon Powershot S2 IS, it starts to make a lot more sense. Although slightly more expensive than most of the competitors, the Fujifilm Finepix S9500 Zoom does offer more features and functionality – the only notable exception is the lack of an optical image stabilizer, which the extensive but noisy ISO range of the S9500 can’t quite make up for. If you’re looking for a super-zoom compact and you’re prepared to pay for the best, then the Fujifilm Finepix S9500 Zoom should definitely be on your list, especially as its 9 megapixel sensor beats the competition in terms of both size and image quality. You will have to pay a bit extra, however, and with a street price of around £400 / $600, the Fujifilm Finepix S9500 Zoom isn’t that much cheaper than a Nikon D50 with kit lens. I know which camera I would choose (I hope you guessed the Nikon).”
Megapixels 11/22/2005 – has reviewed the 9 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix S9000 and here’s the good and bad. Positives
- Excellent image quality.
- Excellent colours.
- 28 mm equivalent wide angle.
- 10.7X zoom.
- Powerful flash.
- High resolution EVF.
- Adjustable monitor.
- xD and CompactFlash I/II slots.
- Excellent ergonomic design.
PC World Philippines 11/22/2005 – has reviewed the 9 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix S9000 and here’s an excerpt. “The S9000 looks like an SLR, and in some respects it performs like one. If you don’t want to fool with interchangeable lenses (or you prefer framing shots with an LCD panel), and you don’t need the gee-whiz features found on other advanced models, the S9000 is a good compromise. But it’s hard to ignore the fact that you can get an SLR for only a little more.”
Steve’s Digicams – 11/21/2005 – has finished the review of the 9 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix S9000 and here’s the conclusion.”The S9000 is a very capable prosumer digicam. With its 9-megapixel imager, 28-300mm mechanically controlled zoom lens, extensive exposure and in-camera processing controls, automatic and advanced shooting modes, there’s little that you can’t do with this camera. And if you’re looking for a digicam that can also capture high quality video, you’ll love the S9000’s VGA resolution 30fps movies — they’re gorgeous. With an MSRP of $699 and a street price of under $600, the S9000 is also a terrific value.”
Photoxels – 11/14/2005 – has reviewed the 9 megapixel Fujifilm Finepix S9000 and here is what they had to say. “The Fujifilm FinePix S9000 should be at the top of your list if you are considering a prosumer level digital camera. It is absolutely no nonsense and meets all the requirements an advanced photographer would demand from such a camera. No other long zoom prosumer digital camera currently matches its low noise capability up to ISO 400.”
PC Magazine 11/11/2005 – has reviewed the 9 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix 9000/9500 here’s the verdict – “The Fuji FinePix S9000 is a good choice if you’re looking for a superzoom that offers very good image quality and lots of useful features, but the smallish LCD and high price keep it from being our Editors’ Choice.”
Trusted Reviews 11/01/2005 – has reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix 9000/9500 and this is what they had to say. “With the S9500 Fujifilm has produced what is unquestionably the best fixed-lens camera currently available. Its SLR-like handling and performance make it a real pleasure to use, while its amazing picture quality and fantastic versatility are matched only by its price. I predict that this camera will be selling by the truckload this Christmas, so get your order in early.”
Digital Photography Review 10/31/2005 – has reviewed the 9 megapixel Fujifilm FinePix S9000 and here is their opinion. “Compared to most – if not all – of its direct competitors (from the 5MP Canon S2 IS to the Panasonic FZ30) it fares much better, though it is more expensive than any of them, and doesn’t have image stabilization, something the ISO 800 and 1600 options don’t completely make up for, and something that can lead to camera shake at the long end of the zoom. Perhaps the biggest disappointment is that after the promise shown by the FinePix F10, which showed you can have usable ISO 1600 in a compact, Fujifilm chose to squeeze an extra 3 million pixels onto a sensor only the tiniest bit bigger, which means the top end of the ISO scale is much more seriously compromised by noise.”
Original Fujifilm FinePix S9000/S9500 Press Release
Press Release:
Fujifilm today announces the launch of the FinePix S9000 Zoom, a new model that marks the point where compact digital cameras and digital SLRs meet. Aimed at amateur and enthusiast photographers, the FinePix S9000 Zoom features resolution good enough to challenge entry-level digital SLRs. It combines this with a range of features that enable a level of photographic flexibility more often associated with compact digital cameras.
The FinePix S9000 Zoom features Fujifilm’s brand new 5th generation Super CCD sensor, and offers an image size of nine megapixels. Recognising that image quality is determined by more than just pixel count, the inclusion of Fujifilm’s Real Photo Technology gives the FinePix S9000 Zoom a true adva
Latest Pricing at Amazon
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
My rating is based on what you get for the price. A DSLR may be a little better but equipped with a comparable lens even the cheapest would cost hundreds more. For all but the most demanding applications the S9000 will do just as well. I have 40+ years as a serious amateur photographer. I have owned 4 SLR Film cameras and an Olympus C4000 Digital. The C4000 takes fine photos but I became frustrated with it’s limitations (shutter lag, difficult to get at manual settings, slow shot to shot times, limited Zoom) The s9000 solves all those problems.
I have to say this camera is not for everybody. Out of the box the pictures have little in-camera processing and may look a little flat if you’re used to a point and shoot. That’s because most serious photographers want to do their tweaking out of camera. There are in camera settings that allow you to liven up your pictures but if you are looking for that in your face high contrast saturated color look many point and shoot cameras give out of box you won’t get it. If however your looking for natural accurate color rendition look no further. For a camera of this price I found noise levels almost non-existent at 80 and 100 iso, very low at iso 200, low at 400 useable at 800 and high at 1600. The controls were easy to use and most of the common settings could be accessed with one button push. There is some softness in the lens at the corners (typical of long zooms) but it was visible only when blown up to huge size on screen (about 2 feet by 3 feet) Do not judge this camera on initial reactions. At first I was disappointed but after learning the controls and tweaking the settings I can say I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend it highly to any serious photographer.
I am a photography teacher at a college in Sydney Australia. In our recent class we have had a number of students with finepix cameras. Students with the S5100 are excited when they first join the class but soon to find that they are unable to set the camera manually which cuts about half of the course out for them. Students with the s7000 and s9000 series are able to set their cameras manually and are able to complete all the assignments that are given to them. When buying either of these camera always check to see how long the camera takes to become camera ready. Then how long does it take to focus. Then how long to actually take the photo this is called shutter lag. The s5100 has about a 1 second shutter lag which will drive you up the wall after a short time. In the long run you get what you paid for so spend a little extra to get a higher model because your memories are pricesless so a couple of hundred dollars extra is nothing in the long run.