The S5 Pro is a major improvement over the S3 Pro in its handling and build quality, and it makes for an interesting comparison with the Nikon D200. Definition at a pixel level is certainly no better, but the S5 Pro’s tonal rendition is often superior, especially with portraits.

I found it a pleasure to shoot with, even if it is a little unwieldy compared with the Olympus E-410s and Nikon D40xs of this world, which would still be a better bet for the keen amateur trading up from a compact. Still, the Fujifilm S5 Pro is a very capable performer, Fujifilm has obviously listened well to the wants and needs of its chosen market and, being one of a kind, if that chosen market is yours, look no further.

There are things about this camera that drive me mad. OK, it’s the menus and especially the zoom on review system. However, I absolutely love the results I get with it and the learning curve isn’t too steep. The S5 is a better camera than the D200.

A fine alternative to the current Canon and Nikon cameras. The S5 Pro’s somewhat different bells and whistles – like Live View and variable dynamic range – should attract the fans.

Ultimately it’s hard to wholeheartedly recommend a 6MP camera that costs $1900 when you can get exactly the same model with 10 megapixels (and better continuous shooting) for quite a lot less. Of course no one is going to buy the S5 Pro for its resolution, nor are they likely to be swayed by a few hundred dollars. And you need to be producing serious enlargements to see the D200’s sharpness advantage, whereas you can see the S5 Pro’s DR advantage and great color even in a postcard print. It’s not for everyone, but for studio work, portraits and demanding dynamic range work (such as weddings) it fits a sizeable niche perfectly.

Fujifilm didn’t create a camera that will appeal to everyone. Those that think that the S5 Pro is a D200 with a Fujifilm sensor will be disappointed by a lot of the handling and speed compromises that Fujifilm’s integration introduced. Make sure you can really live with them before committing to the camera. While I’ve been pretty harsh on these handling changes, that’s primarily because Fujifilm isn’t advancing the bar as fast as some of the other DSLR companies are (indeed, may not even be advancing the bar at all). Four years ago we would have enjoyed the S5 Pro (because it would have been compared to a D100, S2 Pro, and 10D). But in the high tech business, slow change is not usually good change, as competitors can and will pass you by.

The Fujifilm S5 Pro continues in its predecessors’ tradition of providing superior dynamic range and tonal quality for specialist portrait and wedding photographers, who will be delighted with its outstanding capabilities in these areas, as well as its superb handling, build quality and performance. It’s not really an ideal camera for the general consumer though, so if you’re looking for a similarly-priced general-purpose DSLR you’d be better off buying the Nikon D200 instead.

Ultimately, though, it’s the combination of a unique sensor in a superbly capable body that’s the major attraction. The pixel count may be the same as the previous model, but there’s no doubting the S5 Pro’s strengths, and it’s a good alternative to the usual makes.

The S5 Pro is worth considering as a studio portrait camera if the low resolution doesn’t bother you. But it’s harder to see the attraction for general use when you can get better performance for less money elsewhere