CNET Asia Review

As we inch near the end of the single-digit barrier, the 9-megapixel FinePix S9500 comes from Fujifilm's Super CCD HR family of sensors. Noise reduction and speed enhancements with the Real Photo technology allow usable photos even at high sensitivity levels. However, you will need to purchase third-party software if you intend to shoot a lot in RAW because the FinePix Viewer does as much as converting your images to TIFF.

Design
Shaped like a dSLR, the Fujifilm FinePix S9500 isn't very much bigger than Canon's EOS 350D. It measures 128 x 93 x 129mm and weighs 755g, giving you the look and feel of a dSLR--but at a comparatively lower cost. The lens have been positioned slightly more to the left (from the back) compared to the lens which is centered on the EOS 350D's body, giving your fingers more room to curl around the handgrip on the right. However, our last digit tends to slide off the lower body of the S9500, so if you have burly hands, your pinky might just settle on the lower edge of the camera.

	Users with big fingers may find it harder to reach the dedicated keys for exposure compensation, flash and continuous shooting.

	The connectors on the S9500 are well spaced out behind the rubber shelter.

	You get a whole lot of options on the back of the camera as well.

The focus check button below the EVF/LCD selector enlarges the central portion of the screen to assist you in focusing. Commonly used settings (picture quality, sensitivity and color) are easily accessible with the Photo mode button marked by a capital F. The Display/Back button cycles between various display modes include one which shows you a thumbnail of your previous shot so you can compose your next picture in relation to the previous one. Pressing Up or Down on the cursor pad activates or cancels the 2x digital zoom feature which we doubt there is even a need for given the 10.7x optical zoom.

Features
If you equate the number of buttons to the learning curve of using a prosumer, compact snapshooters are bound to feel apprehensive about the FinePix S9500's less-than-simple control layout. Its 10.7x zoom which begins at a 28mm wide angle comes in handy when you want to take a subject from afar, but not get too close to it physically. We have seen megazoomers with a longer range, but chances are you will need a tripod to stabilize your pictures. Although the Anti-Blur mode sounds very much like image stabilization, it actually boosts ISO levels (up to a maximum of ISO 1,600) at slow shutter speeds. What this means is you minimize the blurring effect but suffer from increasing noise in your pictures instead.

Using the burst mode, the camera captures only four frames: You can record either the first four frames after you press the shutter button or save the last four after enduring a maximum of 40 frames. When in Auto or any of the scene modes, you can take up to 40 shorts at about 1fps. "Scenic" users will be disappointed for the FinePix S9500 comes with only five scene modes--anti-blur, natural light, portrait, landscape and night.

Powered by four AA-size batteries, we would advise you to opt for Ni-MH rechargeables if you don't wish to be replacing batteries every other hour of continuous shooting. The S9500 accepts both xD-Picture Cards and CompactFlash/Microdrives (we used Imation's 1GB CF card in our tests) and you can manually select which media to use in the camera's setup. We didn't like the fact that there was no battery indicator on the S9500, save for the time it appeared only when there was insufficient charge left and you had to replace the batteries soon.

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User Reviews

andreperera

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Very Nice Camera

Feb 22, 2007

Rating: 8 out of 10 (Excellent)
Pros: Good entry choice for the beginner and enough features for the advanced photographer
Cons: none i can think of, maybe cheaper add on telephoto lenses
Opinion:

 

jeromevo

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looks like SLR

Apr 7, 2006

Rating: 9 out of 10 (Spectacular)
Pros: high resolution
Cons: non changeable lens
Opinion:
i rated it 9 as it was changeable lens n not an slr

 

fireflynz

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A VERY good digicam. Buy It!

Jan 3, 2006

Rating: 10 out of 10 (Perfect)
Pros: Everything works well. No complains. Suits advanced user.
Cons: none as far as I can tell
Opinion:
Having owned 2 FinePix 6900Z, I tossed up between a Nikon D70S to take my other Nikon lenses and the S9500 when it was released. I decided on the S9500 as the D70S was about 70% dearer (I still want one when the price comes down). I had no regrets making that decision. Pictures are nice and sharp, fast switch on and ready to go, batteries last a long time and the zoom range is a real bonus. What more can I ask for? The controls are extensive and may not suit a user who is shy of using the features and controls. I shoot sports, corporate photos and general family fun photos. Have just used the 3 week old S9500 extensively during my family Christmas holiday at the beach house, in addition to a Casio Exilim and an old Kodak digicam and I honestly cannot fault it. Meanwhile my Nikon FE2, 801 and F2A sits at home. The camera ... Read more

 

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