Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro vs Sony a500

This is a full comparison between the cameras Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro and Sony a500. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro is manufacturered by Fujifilm but Sony a500 is from Sony. Both Fujifilm and Sony are well known brands though.

Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro were released 2000 and Sony a500 was released 2009. That is a 9 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro 2000
Sony a500 2009

Type of camera

Both these cameras are DSLR cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro has a "Fujifilm APS-C"-sensor while Sony a500 has a "Sony APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro 75 mm
Fujifilm sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5
Sony a500 75 mm
Sony APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.5

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:

Resolution

Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro has a 3 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a500 has 12 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro 3 MP
6128640 pixels
3040 x 2016
Sony a500 12 MP
12166656 pixels
4272 x 2848

Sony a500 has a 99 % larger resolution than Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Sony a500 has a larger ISO-range than Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro. Sony a500 has an ISO range that stretches from 200 to 12800 while Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro has 320 to 1600.

Camera ISO Range
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro 320-1600
Sony a500 200-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a500

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro can shoot up to 1,5 pictures per seconds and Sony a500 can shoot up to 5 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro 1,5
Sony a500 5

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

Though, neither Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro or Sony a500 can shoot movies so if that is a functionality that you are really looking for you should look elsewhere.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro weighs 820 gr (equal to 1.81 lb) which is 30% heavier than Sony a500 and its 630 gr (or 1.39 lb).

Camera Weight
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro 820 gr
1.81 lb
Sony a500 630 gr
1.39 lb

Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro vs Sony a500 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro and Sony a500, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Sony a500
Name Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro Sony a500
Manufacturer Fujifilm Sony
Release Date and Price
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Sony a500
Release Year 2000 2009
Release Date 2000-01-31 2009-08-27
MSRP N/A 549 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Sony a500
Camera Type DSLR DSLR
Sensor
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Sony a500
Sensor Size APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm) APS-C (approx 23.5 x 15.6 mm)
Sensor Type CCD CMOS
Resolution 3040 x 2016 pixels 4272 x 2848 pixels
Megapixels 3 MP 12 MP
Image Processor Bionz
Image
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Sony a500
ISO Range 320 - 1600 200 - 12800
White Balance Presets 7 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor-Shift)
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format TIFF RAW
Optics & Focus
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Sony a500
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points N/A 9
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Sony A

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
APS-C Sensor (1.5x)
1.5x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 36 mm
50 mm becomes 75 mm
100 mm becomes 150 mm
200 mm becomes 300 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Sony a500
Articulated LCD N/A Tilting
Screen size 2” 3”
Screen dots 200000 230000
Touch screen No No
Screen type N/A N/A
Live view No Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder Coverage 90% 95%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.8× (0.53× 35mm equiv.)
Viewfinder Resolution N/A N/A
Photography features
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Sony a500
Frames per second 1,5 fps 5 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash Yes Yes
Built-in Flash Range 15 meters 12 meters
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV steps) +/- 2 (at 1/3 EV steps)
Videography features
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Sony a500
Video recording No No
Video format N/A N/A
Video resolution N/A N/A
Built-in Microphone No No
Built-in Speakers No No
Storage
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Sony a500
Memory Card Compact Flash
Memory Stick Pro Duo
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Sony a500
HDMI Output No Yes
Microphone Port No No
Headphone Port No No
Wireless No No
Remote Control Optional Yes (Wired or wirelss (Optional))
GPS No No
Body & Dimensions
Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro
Sony a500
Enviromentally sealed No No
Battery AA Battery Pack
Battery Details AA (4) batteries (NiMH recommended) + 2 x CR123A lithium
Lithium-Ion NP-FM500H rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) N/A 520 shots
Width 148 mm 137 mm
Height 125 mm 104 mm
Depth 80 mm 84 mm
Weight 820 gram 630 gram