What do you think about Fuji Finepix S9600 ?

Question

I want to buy a digital camera but I'm not sure which one is the best. I think about fuji finepix S9600, Canon Powershot S3 IS, Sony Cybershot DSC H2. What would you recommend me?

Answer 1

I purchased a Canon Powershot S3 IS two weeks ago, after exhaustive research online, and looking at it in the camera stores and comparing models and sample photo's.

I am extremely happy with my choice, and absolutely love this camera!! To get the most out of it, you must use the program or manual modes (I recommend program), NOT the full auto mode, and play with the settings. The 12x zoom, the swivel LCD monitor, and the superb video clip feature were the selling points for me over other camera's, as well as the Canon name.

That being said, there are a few things to consider before making the purchase. Compare sample photo's of the camera's you are considering. The focus of the Canon S3 is slightly softer than other models. This would be a matter of individual choice. Plan to do most of your shooting on ISO 200 or lower, which is not hard to do with all the variable settings you can use. If you use ISO400 or 800, expect to do post-production work (i.e. photoshop, etc.) and/or use smaller print sizes.

Here is a website to compare camera features and sample photo's. Also I highly recommend that you actually go to a store, even if you make your purchase online, and hold each model to get the feel for it and how you like it.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/CAMDB/compare_cameras.php

Answer 2

After a LOT of research (many, many days... and nights), I just ordered the S9600. It has the best feature set of anything non-SLR out there, and a pretty good price as well. I also like the fact that it actually looks like an SLR, so no "serious" photographers are ever gonna make fun of your little "toy", like the Canon S3.

The one thing missing on the 9600 is an optical image stabilizer. But (after some more research, and turning the IS off on my current Lumix FZ3) I've come to the conclusion that this is not nearly as important as people are led to believe. And the fact that you can use higher ISO settings (= faster shutter speeds) on the Fuji than other ultra zooms, while keeping the image noise down, basically cancels out the advantage of a stabilizer.

In the end you need to know what exactly you want, of course. The 9600 is a bit bigger than the S3. Although you can't fit that one in your pocket either, so it doesn't really matter. As far as image quality and features go, I don't think there's anything better than the 9600. (Apparently the Fuji S6500 has even SLIGHTLY better images, but it also lacks a number of features, and the viewfinder is not as good. Definitely worth considering if you're on a tight budget, though.)

Answer 3

The Fuji S9600 is a good general purpose camera, the strong points are: 1/1000th sec flash sync, good dinamic range, multiple exposure, I had an old version S9000/S9500 a year ago I like it, however now the cost of DSLR is very affordable you might consider the Nikon D50, or Canon XT/350D they are roughly at the same price range of the S9600.

Answer 4

I'd give the Finepix S9600....... I'd buy one myself if my bank account wasn't currently £400 overdrawn, and my printer hadn't blown up the other week...... and my ISP's direct debit system hadn't screwed up and not taken my £45 quarterly broadband subscription, and only sent me a letter to tell me about it 20days after the subscription for the current quarter had been taken out.
Anyway........ it's pretty good value for around £252.99 (just spotted it's gone down in price on amazon.co.uk - was £254 when I was drooling over it the other day, and was fixing up my associates store).
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/s9000.html
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/wormdanglecou-21/detail/B000INUDMY/203-9338484-3266364

It's little brothers the S5600 + S6500 are supposed to be good too (and what I'm more likely to get if / when my bank account recovers).

Also, the manufacturer's website holds monthly photo contests where you could win up to £400 worth of vouchers to spent in their online shop - http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/myfuji/

Answer 5

bought a finepix s9600 last week and im very impressed with the pictures especially using natural and stabilizer mode. And it works well without a flash. with lots of controls to used. this is a good camera for advanced users. great for day to day shooting and some professional shooting.

Answer 6

the 5600 was my limit as well.....then the car decided it needed a new head gasket.....followed by an exhaust.
anyway, not really checked out the latest releases but fuji offer a great camera every time.
the only way you could hope to beat it (in my humble opinion) is to go full digital slr then you need a few lenses.
the fuji;s come with a good range of zoom on them, great lenses and some 'mega' megapixels.

Answer 7

I have an S7000 and it seems that the whole series to S9000+ with the Super CCD SR/HR has issues with graininess and loss of detail due to too much jpeg compression, or perhaps its just the sensor itself.

Answer 8

I DO NOT recommend the Sony!!!! I had the Sony DSC H1 and the pictures were fuzzy.....

Answer 9

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/