Fujifilm FinePix S9500 Zoom / FinePix S9000 Zoom review
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Written by Gordon Laing
The following images were taken with the Fujifilm FinePix S9500 / S9000. The recording mode was set to 9M F mode, thereby using the full 9 megapixel resolution and the least-compressed JPEG setting; unless otherwise stated, the pictures were taken in Program mode with the default settings. The individual file sizes, shutter speeds, aperture, ISO and lens focal length are listed for each image.
The crops are taken from the original files, reproduced at 100% and saved in Adobe Photoshop CS2 as JPEGs with the default Very High quality preset, while the resized images were made in Photoshop CS2 and saved with the default High quality preset. The three crops are typically taken from far left, central and far right portions of each image. For examples of the S9500 / S9000 when fully zoomed-in, check the Features page.
Church: 4.32MB, Program, 1/170, f8, ISO 100, 6.2-66.7mm at 6.2mm (equivalent to 28mm)
Macro: 4.15MB, Program, 1/480, f5, ISO 80, 6.2-66.7mm at 8mm (36mm equivalent)
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The S9500 is capable of focusing very close to its subjects, allowing excellent macro results. As the results pages show, there’s some distortion with close-ups using the lens at its widest position, but move back and zoom-in a little and the geometry improves greatly.  The crops here reveal a high level of detail, although there’s some softness due to the small depth-of-field at this close range. | |||||
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City: 4.72MB, Program, 1/500, f7.2, ISO 100, 6.2-66.7mm at 29mm (equivalent to 130mm)
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This photo of London’s Millennium Bridge was taken on a sunny day with the S9500’s zoom at approximately the halfway position.
 As you would expect with an ISO of 100 and aperture of f7.2, the crops are sharp, detailed and exhibit low noise levels. | ||
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Market: 4.20MB, Aperture Priority, 1/15, f8, ISO 400, 6.2-66.7mm at 6.2mm (equivalent to 28mm)
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This photo of a market stall was taken under dim lighting conditions. We wanted a large depth-of-field so set the aperture to f8. In order to achieve a hand-holdable shutter speed under these conditions we had to increase the ISO to 400.  The crops show a higher level of noise than the earlier examples and reduced detail, although it’s acceptable for all but the largest reproductions. | |||||
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City: 4.32MB, Program, 1/38, f2.8, ISO 1600, 6.2-66.7mm at 6.2mm (equivalent to 28mm)
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Most all-in-ones would struggle here due to their relatively modest sensitivities. In contrast, the S9500’s high 1600 ISO setting has allowed us to easily handhold this photo with an exposure of 1/38th of a second and no need for a flash. It’s an impressive capability, but not without compromise. Viewed at 100%, the crops reveal high noise levels and smearing of detail. It’s useful to have the option of high sensitivity though and the artefacts are less visible on smaller reproductions. | |||||
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