Fuji Finepix S9600 - Any Good?

[ash06]

Hi there,

I am looking into getting into Photography, and am looking for a DSLR camera tht shoots RAW under $600.

I found this camera. However being a newbie to this, i have no idea if it is any good? Can somone please advise.

Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

 

[Father Jack]

Hi,
Although I am using Leica digital cameras at the moment, over the years I have used quite a few Fuji Finepix cameras and always found them to be excellent ..

(Sorry I am not familiar with the model you mention)

 

[cube]

This is not a DSLR. This is a 'bridge' camera.

I would prefer an S6000fd/S6500fd.

 

[Over Achiever]

This is not a DSLR. This is a 'bridge' camera.

I would prefer an S6000fd/S6500fd.

I have this camera (S6000fd) and I love it, much cheaper. However it does not have a flash hot-shoe.

 

[Phrasikleia]

I didn't even know these "bridge" cameras existed. I just googled it a bit and was surprised to see how close the cameras come to being DSLRs, at least in form. So they lack the mirror assembly, have a fixed lens, and can do things like make movies. Sounds like some of them have sensors as large as a DSLR (or am I wrong about that?).

In my opinion, you'd have to be really keen on having the movie function or something like that to prefer a bridge camera over a real DSLR. Presumably the reason to carry around such a large camera would be to get better photos than a compact can produce, but if better photos are your aim, you'll quickly tire of the fixed lens.

 

[cube]

No, a bridge camera with a DSLR-sized sensor is extremely extremely rare.

They also have an electronic viewfinder, which sucks compared to an optical one.

 

[Father Jack]

They also have an electronic viewfinder, which sucks compared to an optical one.

Electronic viewfinders may suck, but have one big plus point:
On a bright sunny day you can review your images in the electronic viewfinder instead of looking like idiot with you coat over your head trying to review your images on the lcd screen on the back of the camera .....

 

[cube]

deleted

 

[nburwell]

These cameras are typically called "super zoom" or EVF for "Electronic View Finder" because of the fact they have that feature (much like live view).

I personally am not a fan of Fuji's p&s line of cameras. Their series of DSLR bodies are quality cameras. However, it's been a few years since I've owned a Fuji camera product. Looking at the features and build of the camera, it doesn't look like that bad of a deal. However, you have a few options for DSLR's in which you can find them for under $600. For example, you could pick up the Nikon D40 w/ kit lens for about $500. You also could probably find the Canon Rebel XT w/ kit lens for about $500 or even less. You certainly have other options if you choose not to go with the Fuji camera.

 

[jbernie]

I still have my finepix s600 (?) from 2002, even though I have just upgraded to a 40D I am keeping it as the video function alone can be quite useful. I have not had any issues with my camera other than the limitations of the hardware itself but that is only expected over time.

One thing you may want to check on before taking the plunge, my camera had some wide angle & zoom lens adapters (attach to existing lens) but the gain in function from the adapters was borderline useless. You may want to see if anything like that still exists.

If you have any thoughts of needing more function than what the camera & any adapters provide, I would suggest you compare pros & cons of moving to a DSLR where you have true ability to expand out to more lens choices. Even if this is a Canon Xt/XTi or Nikon D40 amongst others. If you are wanting video & photos then you won't have any options by way of DSLRs it will just be digital cameras like what you are already looking at.

 

[Everythingisnt]

The sony DSC-R1 has an almost aps-c sized sensor.. Although it came out in '05 it is still the most advanced bridge camera I've seen on the market.

 

[johnsy]

Just get nikon D40. You will be able to shoot RAW and to expand your purchase in a future- change lens, update body or whatever, while bridge camera will certainly go to the garbage. The thing looks like SLR, weights like one, but just pretends to be one. Unless of course you want some kinda tradeoff- take movies with camera and so on.

Why would you need to shot RAW anyway?

 

[MiBerb]

I've got a S9000 for couple of years

It's great if you're looking for good results, flexible lens (don't have to buy 3 or 4 lenses) my lens is eqivalent to 28mm to 310mm which is a very large range. The picture quality is good and the reliability too.

If you want to take sport pictures, bridge camera are not as fast as DSLR for shooting, it may sometimes be a handicap.