New camera advise

[Hindey]

Hi,

I've got my current camera on eBay. It's time for me to upgrade to something better, but I'm afraid it'd take someone to mail me a large cheque to convince me into buying a dSLR. So that leaves me with a choice from the higher end digital compacts.

I'm currently looking at a Sony DSC-H1. Does anyone have any reservations, or could you strongly recommend any of the alternatives such as the Canon IS2 or Panasonic DMC-Zsomething-or-other?

Any opinions greatly welcomed, thank you!

Chris

[payn817]

I've been playing with that Sony at work quite a bit. It feels good to hold, and has some nice features. As for picture quality, I have no idea. The macro mode seems to be really nice, and the IS works really well.

[jar_e]

My friend has an IS2 and raves about it all the time. He says the image stabilization is useful, and the 10x zoom is quite handy. I haven't used the others, but that's my two cents.

[drg]

I can tell you that the Canon S2-IS is a nice camera that the Image Stabilization works quite well. The images are a bit overly sharp for my tastes, and it is limited by no TIFF or RAW mode. The smaller SD cards I'm not a fan of nor of the Memory Sticks that the Sony uses.

The Sony does not have the TIFF or RAW mode available either. I only mention this as it is usually the next big step besides image size, to make prior to the DSLR or super Pro-sumer range camera.

I've commented elsewhere that I was not a fan of the Panasonic image quality. That was based on two cameras and a couple hundred images with each.

You have a FUJI, are you really wanting to switch brands or don't any of their current offerings meet your tastes and needds?

Hope this has been of some help.

Happy Holidays

[Hindey]

Hey again,

After reconsidering the idea of a 350D (£100 cashback in the UK means the camera is almost in reach) and dismissing it because I don't really have the time or the money to allow myself a DSLR just yet, I've thought about your comments and have begun to seriously consider the Fuji S9000 / S9500 (depending where you are from). Does anyone have any thoughts on this? It has a 9MP sensor and a very handy 28mm wideangle. No image stabilisation, but that's not something I'm too worried about.

A suitable upgrade from my (now sold) S5000?

Cheers for all your thoughts so far,
Chris

[jar_e]

Personally, if your going to get the Fuji upgrade, I'd save for a DSLR. You know what you can do on a Fuji point and shoot camera, why move up to the same thing? It lists for $799 USD, and that's very close to a DSLR price range. I'd save up for it...I think you'd make a smarter decision IMO.

Jared

[another view]

Of course with a DSLR, you'll have to buy lenses. You don't have to start out with a big investment in lenses, but you will need at least one to be able to use the camera.

Another option if you're looking at a DSLR would be a used Fuji S2. I've had one for a couple years and they can be had for roughly $800 USD. They were replaced by the newer Fuji S3 (at about three times that price) several months or a year ago. This camera uses Nikon lenses, and any IS (they call it VR) will be in the lenses.

[Hindey]

Hey all,

Thanks for all your advice; I've really considered my needs and as a result I've gone with the Fuji S9500.

Firstly, it's a lot cheaper than a new dSLR before you factor in it's lens is 28mm - 300mm and then it gets even cheaper in comparison to, say, a 350D due to the focal length the Fuji covers. Secondly, I'm not into sports or action photography so the speed of the camera, which is still good but obviously not dSLR levels, doesn't worry me. Thirdly, although image quality was a problem for the S5000 and the main reason for my upgrade, I don't think my needs (i.e. 14"x11" size prints) really requires the almost noiseless performance of a dSLR at low ISO. Finally, I'll be in employment from next year so I feel I'll have more time and more cash to invest in a dSLR in the next couple of years.

I guess the bottom line is I don't feel ready for a dSLR. The S9500 is an all-in-one solution that I hope will meet my needs without being overkill, or drawing me into a "just one more lens" trap of a dSLR.

Thanks again for all the advice, especially drg who really helped by putting me back onto Fuji.

Merry Christmas all!
Chris