Fuji Finepix S9600

[evil.monkey.in.my.closet]

I think I'm just about to take the plunge and shell out for one of these. Online reviews appear favourable but has anyone on here had any experience of using one? If so, would you recommend this camera for someone who wants more than a point-and-shoot, but hasn't got the cash for a DSLR?

[adamjaskie]

Some of the low-end DSLRs are pretty much the same price, if not a bit cheaper. Having the flexibility of changing lenses, as well as the ability to buy better lenses now and upgrade to a better body later (keeping the old body as a backup, if you want) will be a valuable ability if you want to get into more serious photography.

IMO, if you want an inexpensive camera, get a point and shoot. If you want more capability/quality than you can get in a point and shoot you might as well save up for a DSLR, because that's what you will want eventually anyway.

I do have to say that it's nice to have a rather compact P&S, even if you have a nice DSLR, just because it's hard to carry a DSLR around all the time.

[adamjaskie]

BTW, for the other USians, the S9600 is known as the S9100 here in America. I'm not sure why, but it is.

[wgbjr]

I have an S9000 the first camera in this series introduced it takes great pictures. I enjoy it and found it to be an excellent entry level camera for the causal photog. I have used it to take damage photographs in my work, and have used it for everything from portaits to snap shots. The S91000 I believe has image stabilization something my S9000 lacks.