[beeper007]

Since I value ONLY the picture quality and ease of use in low light photography but cant afford dSLR hence I have to buy a bridge camera.
I have zeroed in on two models of Fuji the S9600(S9100) and S6500fd(S6000fd). Could any one please guide me as to which one is better.
I have been a long time fan of Kodak's "Colorful" picture quality like my old Z650 but couldnt find a Fuji comparable camera in Kodak stable now.
By the way, Is the S3IS still worth it today?Does IS matter a lot? Any other cameras?

[stepheno]

Well the world is your oyster. You don't mention money so I assume that is not an issue. Fujifilm make good cameras and their colour rendition is reckoned to be up their with the best. They used to have low-light focus problems but ought to have that fixed. My experience with the Fujifilm S602Pro was excellent and I still use it for all-in-one when I don't want to take the whole kaboodle with me.

If I was to throw another camera into the ring I'd say have a look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ50 . It has a Leica lens, 10mp, 12 x zoom etc. I know that you don't normally equate Panasonic with photography but this must be worth a look at.

[Sonsey]

Originally Posted by beeper007

Does IS matter a lot? Any other cameras?

I think when you get upwards of 10x optical zoom then Image Stabilisation is a must, especially if your wanting to handhold at the long end of the zoom.

In regards to other cameras, there are models from Olympus, Sony and Panasonic worth looking at as far as I know, here's a few news links.

Olympus launch 18x optical zoom SP-550 UZ
http://www.pixalo.com/community/news...highlight=sony
Panasonic launch 7.2Mp, 12x optical zoom DMC-FZ8 prosumer bridge camera

[JMitchell]

I have the Panasonic FZ7, might be a bit cheap for you, but I would like to recommend the range. I mean, mine isn't all that, and that's why I got a D50, but it produces good results, with an element of manual control. However, I imagine that with the FZ50 then there would be much more. But to be honest, why bother with paying the kind of prices offered for the FZ50 when you can get a dSLR for the same amount?

[silver]

it's probably best to mention budget,. the fuji S9600 is around 250,. so I presume that is what you want to spend - or is there more in the kitty?

regards bridge camera Vs dSLR,. think of it this way,. if you get a dSLR today it probably won't have the same amount of zoom range but you are buying into something that will save you money in the long run (perhaps!),. the lens can be reused for a future dSLR and any further lenses you get will work on the body,. the bridge camera is generally not extendable in the same way,.

in terms of low light shooting you could get a nikon d50 + 50mm 1.8 lens for less than 400 quid - or much less if you don't mind 2nd hand and no bridge camera would come close for low-light

Sil

[fionaB]

well i had a similar choice last year...... bridge or DSLR.......... i went for the bridge camera the Fuji 9500.......... WHY? well first of all i didint think i was a good enough photographer to be using a DSLR..... and secondly i knew my funds would not allow me to get the lenses i would need to give me the range the Fuji could.

Do i regret the choice? at times i do BUT in the main no, the 9500 has a huge amount of critics who say the focus is too soft AND there is an inherent fault with the control wheel which Fuji accept.

I have had no probs whatsoever with the focussing and i really believe that the majority of those who complain about it are just not using the camera properly.

So my advice......... go for the Fuji......... if you learn the camera and how to use it you will not be disappointed.

Fi

[beeper007]

Thanks a lot for your inputs fiona,
I just went through the reviews of a few bridge cameras and came across the following strong contenders.

Could you or anyone please suggest me the best out of the rest.

Pentax K100D(US $640 with kit lens but no warranty) = Highly Recommended, lightweight dSLR, AA batteries, Images are colourful and contrasty, Better dynamic range

Sony DSC-H2(US $490) = two 2100 mah batteries and charger free, IS not effective, still a better option than the H5, sharp images with good quality, small lcd, slow performer, high chromatic aberration and softness in the corners at telephoto

Fuji FinePix S6500fd/S6000fd(US $430) = Good resolution & sharpness, ISO and Flash, Good VFM, Very good results up to ISO 400, ISO 800 perfectly usable, might not be fantastic, but it's the best you'll get, Very low shutter lag, Excellent battery life, fast focus Cons=Really needs optical image stabilization

Fuji FinePix S9600/S9100(US $490) = a little more features are availble in 6000/6500 for a little lower price

Kodak Easyshare P880(US $440) = raw and tiff settings,high quality lens and low chromatic aberations, slow focus in low light

Kodak Easyshare P712(US $490) = overall a slow and mis-focusing camera, Images a little soft and not spectacular for a camera with these specs

Canon Power Shot A710IS(US $400) = high price, red eye issue, over exposure problem, great price/quality ratio, better than average quality,not perfect

Canon Power Shot S3IS(US $560) = image softness and noise issue, focus hunting at telephoto end in dark areas, Chromatic aberration and purple fringing, No RAW mode, Limit to highest shutter speed usable at wide apertures, low dynamic range

[fionaB]

to be honest, i think the important things to remember after reading your last post is that no matter WHAT camera you go for, it WILL have its limitations and you will need to work round them. I personally dont think you could go wrong with either a Fuji, or a Canon..... they are both excellent cameras.

Fi

[crom]

Iam sorry, but i dont mean to hijack this thread. What is a bridge camera?.

[fionaB]

a bridge camera is one that looks more like a DSLR, and offers usually fully manual controsl thus bridging the gap between compact cameras and DSLR cameras.

Fi

[crom]

oh i see. thankyou fionaB.

[VinnyP]

I have a Panasonic FZ30 (the one before the FZ50) and I find it really useful when I can't/won't take an SLR. Image quality is very good and the lens is excellent. Low light high ISO is where bridge cameras loose out to SLRs because of the smaller sensor and the older ones are usually slightly better in this regard more megapixels often = more sensor noise.

[Helena]

I have the Fuji S7000 and can highly recommend it.

[LadyStardust]

Hi there. An interesting discussion. I have a Canon EOS 350D and quite a few lenses, but I do sometimes wonder whether my picture taking was better when I was using my Canon Powershot G3 a few years ago. I still use it and love that camera. It may only be 4 megapixels but a 10x8 print looks spot on. Because of that, I would recommend looking at the Canon Powershot G7. Good spec and with lens stabilisation too.

Oh and my mouth was watering reading about the new Olympus with the x18 zoom. That must be worth considering for versatility. Shame it's only about 7 megapixels.

Good luck!

[LadyStardust]

Mmm. I have just gone and read another set of reviews for the Canon Powershot G7. It seems that there are few things that aren't quite right, e.g. no RAW, noise above ISO 200, heavy, shutter lag etc, so I retract my recommendation. I'm sure my G3 is better!

Thanks and sorry for the confusion....

Enjoy your exciting challenge!