Fujifilm has released more details about the FinePix S3 Pro digital SLR, the pending replacement for the S2 Pro, and has announced that the camera will be available in October this year. Pricing details haven’t yet been revealed.

Like the S2 Pro, the S3 is based on the Nikon N80 body, and takes Nikon-fit lenses. The new Super CCD SR II sensor also offers 12Mp output from 6.17 million S-pixels and 6.17 million R-pixels. Fuji claims that the new CCD offers improved dynamic range, tonal capabilities, colour balance and signal-to-noise ratios.

New features announced include the ability to adjust the dynamic range by changing the mix ratio between S- and R-pixels.

The S3 also offers two film simulation modes which aim to reproduce the characteristics of popular Fuji film -- one setting aims to reproduce the wide latitude of professional print film and the second aims to reproduce the high saturation, high contrast characteristics of Velvia slide film.

The S3 offers the ability to select between sRGB and Adobe RGB colour spaces. Two RAW file formats are offered -- smaller file size can be achieved by removing the expanded dynamic range data without compromising resolution.

Fuji claims a half-second start-up time for the camera. The main LCD is a 2-inch, 235,000 pixel display.

As well as Nikon fit lenses, the S3 takes all Nikon-compatible Speedlights -- with a D-TTL flash exposure metering system -- and Nikon electric remotes. The camera offers both FireWire and USB 2.0 interfaces.

From Digit