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D100 vs. Fuji S2 (Updated Review)
(November 10, 2003)


Before We Begin

Over the past month, I have received several emails concerning my D100 vs. S2 comparison (a few were quite interesting, and you know who you are). Since this overview was written some time ago, I decided to update the entire comparison and clarify what my position is on the Fuji S2.

First of all, the Fuji S2 delivers great images. I'm not denying it does. The D100 also delivers great images as well. One could show me comparative out-of-camera images between the two cameras and prove the S2 is better in that case, but someone else could do the same thing with other photos, and yet come up with different results, favoring the D100.

Let's suppose the S2 has an edge over the D100 out-of-camera. I really don't have a problem with that either. Most of us use photo editors when we finalize our images, and it's these photo editors (i.e., Photoshop) that give our images more flexability, better appearance, and eye appeal.

Some are under the impression I am merely comparing image quality. I am not. I am comparing what the features of the cameras offer, and I am stating my opinion on what is a better value for your money, and I am stating my opinion on real-life useage.

Interpolation and The 12MP Image

Some S2 owners are making a big deal out of this, when it's really nothing special. It's called interpolation, and anyone who says otherwise either doesn't understand what interpolation is, or is feeding you hype to sell a camera. Fuji is relunctant to call their process "interpolation", but here is what they do say:
"The intermediate pixels are created with Fujifilm's original signal processing technology from the neighboring actual pixels which have vertical and horizontal information on the intermediate pixels" - Fuji

If that isn't a slick way of saying we are interpolating our pixels, I don't know what is.Yes, Fuji might be using additional processing, but the overall effect, is interpolation, no matter how you slice and dice your pixels. Intermediate Pixels. This sounds like Foveon's wordplay. And don't get me started on Foveon and their misleading information.

6MP is 6MP

What's really interesting, is that some try to explain there is more information on a Fuji S2 sensor, than a D100 sensor. The facts are, the S2 sensor is 6MP, and so is the D100. If Fuji could say they physically had more than 6MP on their sensor, they would. But since they cannot, they use the next best means of hyping their sensor, which is interpolation. I will say for the record that I have emailed Fuji on several occasions, asking for their pixel pitch of their honeycomb pixels. Well, I never get a response about that. Interesting.

Are You Anti-Fuji?

I will say this again. I AM NOT ANTI-FUJI. I'm just more critical of a company who is using a fairly basic process that anyone can do on their own computer, and touting their sensor as a revolutionary imaging device. Foveon has done this as well, and we all know where they ended up.

Firewire

This is certainly a nice feature to have. But it shouldn't be the only deciding feature. Yes, the S2 can shoot tethered with Firewire, but the D100 can shoot tethered with USB. USB is a little slower, but very manageable. Remember, you're tethered to a PC (or MAC). Your PC (or MAC) specs will also determine how fast your files will be processed. I've shot tethered with USB and it would be fine for portrait settings. I suppose some can justify the extra money for the S2 because of this "professional feature", but I can't do it, especially concerning other factors (which I will get to as you read on).

Battery Setup

AA NiMH batteries used to be ok for digital cameras, and still are for lower-end consumer cameras, because they don't demand the power a DSLR does. When we get into the area of digital cameras like the S2 and D100, these are not lower-end consumer cameras. These cameras need power--and lots of it. One of the major reasons is lenses. Interchangeable lenses require power to move the focusing elements, back and forth.

The Fuji S2 uses AA NiMH batteries, and on top of the inconvenience, also requires CR123A batteries. The D100 requires only one battery to operate its entire body, and it does not take AA batteries. It uses Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) batteries. AA NiMH batteries are infamous for dying in cold weather, and sports shooters should be aware of this. Li-Ion batteries last longer in cold weather. I've shot both kinds of batteries and Li-Ion is the way to go. They perform better in cold conditions. Also, Li-Ion batteries have no memory effect--at all. NiMH batteries still have a memory effect--not as much as NiCD batteries--but they still do. Some people think that NiMH batteries don't exhibit any memory effect and this is wrong. NiMH batteries regularly fail after a period of recharging.

ISO Settings

The Fuji S2 has 6 ISO settings: 100, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600.

The D100 has 12 ISO settings: 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600, Hi-1, Hi-2.
Hi-1 is ISO 3200, and Hi-2 is ISO 6400.

Some say that since the S2 has an ISO setting of 100, this negates the other settings of a D100. Well, I wouldn't go that far. ISO 200 does very well on the D100. What I like in a DSLR, is choices. The S2 only offers full steps in ISO, while the D100 offers 1/2 steps in ISO. This may not appear to be a really big deal, but if you're shooting in low light, and you are looking for the best possible ISO, without noise, then this fine-tuning is very helpful.

Exposure Compensation

Fuji S2: -3EV to +3EV (1/2 EV steps)

D100: -5EV to +5EV (1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)

Frames Per Second

Fuji S2: 2fps up to 7 total frames

D100: 3fps up to 7 total frames

Fuji S2 has 2 media slots

The S2 has a SmartMedia slot in addition to the CF slot. SmartMedia should be renamed StupidMedia. Why? Because you would have to be a complete idiot to buy a camera with an SM slot. This may sound harsh, but I can't think of a better way to say it. Fuji really screwed up in this area. At the time they were making the S2, SmartMedia was slowly being extinguished, and I wonder why Fuji decided to keep this slot, and didn't include an addition CF slot instead. If the S2 had an extra CF slot, this would be a major advantage. In fact, I hope the S3 has this. So, what I'm trying say is: the 2nd media slot is a joke, and whoever uses this as a "feature" over the D100 or D60, they are not well informed about SmartMedia, or have never used it.

I Don't Have To Use CR123 Batteries In The S2

Well, this isn't true. Rememember, I just don't make things up about a camera and then post them (as some have accused me of). If you have your S2 Manual handy, the last few sections on Page 25 are carefully worded to not make you think about the consequences of only using your AA batteries. However, this is DigitalDingus, and here is the truth:

1) AA NiMH batteries are used for the image processing of the S2.

2) CR123A Lithium batteries are used for the focusing, aperture setting of the lens, pre-charging of the internal flash unit, and the shutter.

You MUST use both types of batteries for use. The S2 manual does not clearly state this, but it doesn't take a scientist to figure it out. The only mentioning of a problem when using AA batteries exclusively is they "should only be used as an emergency measure..." (quoted from the Fuji S2 manual). Fuji has split the power requirements of the camera to two different battery types. Why? Well, it could be because of the simplistic design they got from the N80 body. The N80 required the same CR123A batteries in the body grip. I think Fuji just simply added the bottom "grip" with a AA compartment to make the manufacturing easier. But who really knows. All I know, is that they should have taken the time to use Lithium-Ion batteries like Nikon and Canon did when they released their cameras at the same time Fuji released it's S2.

Conclusion

From the evidence provided above, I just cannot recommend a Fuji S2 over a Nikon D100. It should be rather obvious, but if you still like the S2 and think it's for you, that's ok. It's not like what I say is going to make or break your buying decision. All I hope for, is that if you came across this comparison from a search engine or referral from a friend, to please take into consideration the factors I listed above.

Image quality is a big thing, and camera manufacturers know this. It's their biggest selling point. Foveon is another company which is misleading the public. I suppose every camera manufacturer does to some extent, but not to the likes of the S2 and Sigma's SD9/SD10. We have to think about just what these camera manufacturers are telling us when they make claims of a 12MP image, but the sensor is still only physically a 6MP sensor. We have to whip out our common sense calculator sometimes.

We must also remember image quality is VARIABLE, and you may not experience what others have said they experienced. This is where photo editors help alleviate the problem. So much can be done with photo processing, that even a "soft" photo can be made "sharp" with a few techniques. And finally, we must realize since image quality varies, it should not be the overall factor of determining the performance of a camera, but merely a part of the decision process. There are many other factors which will make your purchase, a smart purchase.