The first FinePix SLR to feature a fourth-generation SuperCCD SR sensor (which uses couplets of so-called 'S' and 'R' photodiodes under a single microlens to improve dynamic range - see our earlier coverage of the sensor technology announcement from last year for full details), the FinePix S3 Pro refreshes the existing S2 Pro model with quite a few changes. As with the S2, the new S3 Pro seems to be based on the Nikon N80 / F80 film SLR , and although we don't yet have full specifications for the new model we can summarise what changes we're currently aware of:

• 6.17 megapixel effective (see Editor's Note below) SuperCCD SR image sensor with 6.17 million S photodiodes, and 6.17 million R photodiodes for extended dynamic range
• N80-based polycarbonate body now has built-in portrait grip
• Storage compartment door is smaller, totally redesigned
• Larger buttons than the S2 Pro, and slightly different rear-panel layout
• Dual shutter release buttons
• PC Sync terminal moved from side to front of camera
• Flash sync speed improved from 1/125 to 1/180 second
• D-TTL flash exposure metering
• Larger, higher-resolution (almost twice as many pixels) LCD display (2.0-inch, 235,000 pixels)
• Power from 4 AA batteries (extra CR123A Lithium batteries in the S2 Pro no longer required)
• USB interface upgraded from USB 1.1 to USB 2.0; IEEE 1394 FireWire interface retained
• SmartMedia slot replaced with xD-Picture Card slot; Microdrive-compatible CompactFlash Type-I/II retained

There are also a few things worth noting that are the same as the S2 Pro:

• Nikon F lens mount
• Sensor size of 23 x 15.5mm
• Focal length multiplier of 1.5x
• Dual info LCDs - design features both rear and top-mounted LCD info displays

Pricing and availability for the Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro have not been announced at this time.

Editor's note
In its press release, Fujifilm USA is describing the S3 Pro digital camera as having a resolution of "12.3 million effective pixels". Technically, this adheres to the JCIA definition of "effective pixels" (described in an earlier news item covering Foveon's announcement of the X3 Pro 10M sensor), but we strongly feel that this is a misleading usage.While it is true that the proprietary SuperCCD SR image sensor does have 12.3 million photodiodes on its surface, this does not tell the whole story. The dual-element structure of the photodiodes in the SuperCCD SR are not aimed at increasing resolution, but rather at extending dynamic range (as described in our coverage of the development of the SuperCCD SR sensor a year ago). Each couplet of 'S' and 'R' photodiodes share a single microlens, and hence are unable to separately contribute to resolution in an image. That being the case, we feel that consumers are very likely to be misled by Fujifilm's description of the S3 Pro's sensor as having 12.3 million effective pixels - its true resolution will be essentially the same as a 6.17 megapixel standard (or 'HR') SuperCCD sensor.

Fujifilm is obviously in a difficult situation, in that the average digicam buyer tends to see resolution and megapixel ratings as one of the key differentiating factors between digital cameras, when in reality both resolution and dynamic range are just small pieces of the overall puzzle that is image quality. The current system of megapixel ratings became popular when most everybody was using similar sensor technologies, but is now utterly inadequate for describing and comparing current sensor technologies (Bayer-filtered sensors, SuperCCD SR, Foveon X3, etc.).

We've applauded Fujifilm for working to increase the dynamic range of their sensors, but we cannot say the same for their description of this sensor as having 12.3 million effective pixels. We're not alone in calling attention to this fact, and with many different sensor types that are difficult to directly compare we believe the community at large would like to see manufacturers find a way to better educate the public rather than continuing to cling to megapixels as some kind of "universal goodness quotient" (a phrase often used by our Publisher, Dave Etchells, to describe the rather unrealistic way in which the public tends to latch onto a single figure such as a megapixel rating for a digital camera, horsepower rating for a car, etc. as the way to decide which product is most "desirable", ignoring the many other complex attributes of the product in question).

In the meantime though, since Fujifilm's SR technology doesn't contribute to increased resolution, we believe Fujifilm should reconsider its decision and describe the S3 Pro as a 6.17 megapixel camera, so as not to mislead potential customers. Their current usage of the 12.3 million effective pixels figure is bound to result in ill feeling towards Fujifilm, and disappointment from customers who will find that images from their S3 Pro don't show nearly the resolution as do those from competing cameras having a true 12.3 megapixels' worth of resolution. We note that Fujifilm UK made the decision in their press release to refer to the S3 Pro as having "12.3 million effective photodiodes", which is a more accurate representation of the sensor than "12.3 million effective pixels"...