The interface Fujifilm has devised
for the FinePix S9000 is clear and well-organized. Information
is presented using lettering and icons that do not interfere
with the photographer's ability to frame the shot, and it
is very legible, particularly if the high resolution EVF is
used. The menu system is likewise well implemented, presenting
options with both an icon and text which is revealed at the
top of the screen as soon as the cursor highlights the option.
The ease of use of the interface also comes from the use
of a virtual mode dial that spins on screen as the real mode
dial is turned, echoing its position. The virtual dial allows
the user to keep looking at the subject without having to
physically look at the Mode dial to ensure it is at the correct
position, something that can be very useful. Similarly, the
unusual display mode that stacks the last 3 shots captured
on the right side of the screen while showing the current
shot on the right can be quite useful.
The Setup menu is accessible as part of the other
menu options and appears in all menus (photography or playback).
The Setup menu is the longest, its options occupying 4 screens.
Surprisingly, one of these is the option to select the RAW
format, and its presence in the Setup menu gives the impression
that it was an afterthought, since it is not part of the Photo
Mode menu, where one would expect it:
Image Disp. specifies whether or not a just captured
image is displayed while the camera is saving it:
Cont.: the image is displayed after
the shot and stays on until the next picture
is taken allowing the review of its parameters
with the INFO button.
3 sec/1.5 sec: the image is displayed for the
selected duration.
Off: the image is recorded without being
displayed.
Shutter Volume: sets the volume of the sound the
camera makes when the shutter release is pressed (Off,
1, 2 or 3).
Beep Volume: sets the volume of the operation
sounds made by the the S9000 (None, 1, 2 or 3).
Playback Volume: serves to adjust the playback
volume for movies and voice annotation (7 levels).
Frame No.: Cont. or Renew. Specifies if images
are numbered consecutively or restart from 1 after the card
is formatted or a different card is used.
LCD Brightness: sets the brightness of the LCD
monitor over ± 5 increments.
Media: allows selecting the preferred Memory Card
type (xD or CompactFlash) for storing the images when both
are in the camera.
CCD-RAW: sets the camera to record RAW images which
can later be converted to TIFF using the software provided
(see further below).
EVF/LCD Mode: sets the refresh rate of the EVF
and the LCD screen (30 or 60 i/s), the higher refresh rate
producing a smoother image but using more power.
AE-Lock Mode: selects the AE lock setting. It can
work either
by being held down, or by being pressed once to lock
the exposure, and once more to release it.
AF Illuminator: On or Off. Controls whether the
AF illuminator is automatically used when there is not sufficient
ambient light for the auto focus to operate reliably.
Auto Power Off: sets the delay before the camera
shuts down automatically after a period of inactivity (2,
5 minutes or Off).
Format: serves to format either one of the memory
cards, deleting images if any, including those that are protected.
Date/Time: the date and time on the S9000.
Time Difference: to set the time difference between
a "local time" and a "destination time",
useful when travelling.
Language selects the interface language: Japanese,
English, French, German, Spanish, or Chinese.
Background Colour: selects the colour that will
appear as the background to the menus.
USB Mode:
DSC (Mass Storage): makes the camera appear
as a hard disk on the computer.
PictBridge serves to connect the camera directly
to a PictBridge compatible printer.
Video System: sets the video out signal (NTSC
or PAL).
Discharge: is intended for use with Ni-MH batteries
and drains the batteries so they can be recharged fully,
increasing their life.
Reset: returns the settings to their factory defaults
with the exception of the date and time, the interface language,
the video out signal, and the selected background colour.
A printed manual accompanies the FinePix S9000. The manual is
clear, and easy to read and understand. It covers all aspects
of the camera and includes information about connecting the
S9000 to a computer or a printer.
Software
A single CD-ROM was included with
the Fujifilm FinePix S9000 we tested. The disc, entitled Software
for FinePix (CX version 5.1a for Windows and Macintosh)
provides FinePix Viewer (v5.1 for Windows and 3.3 for
Macintosh), RAW File Converter LE and USB drivers.
In addition, Pixela's Image Mixer VCD2 LE is included
for both Windows and Macintosh machines.
As its name implies, FinePix Viewer is primarily an
image browser, presenting photos as thumbnails with our without
some of the shooting data, or as a film strip with the selected
image being displayed at a larger size above the film strip.
FinePix Viewer offers the possibility
of making automatic adjustments of images and some manual
ones for brightness, saturation, tint, sharpness and contrast.
Images can also be converted to black and white or sepia.
Moreover, by right-clicking on an image, FinePix Viewer allows
transferring the image to a more elaborate image editor already
installed on the computer. Beyond this, the FinePix Viewer
can also be used to create slide shows and albums.
RAW File Converter
LE is the application supplied with the S9000 to convert
RAW images to the more common TIFF format. The conversion
program is quite limited, and no correction to the RAW image
is possible. It is possible, however, to convert a group of
RAW images to TIFF.
Finally, Pixela's ImageMixer VCD2 can be used to
create CDs or DVDs. But it is worth noting that only burning
CD-ROM is possible, as only 3 Video CDs and no DVD-ROM can
be burned until a full version of the program is purchased.
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Interface & Software
