S9000/9500

[nycNelson]

Hello, I'm interested in purchasing an S9000 but am concerned about image stabilization not being included. Almost all the reviews I've read strained the issue of no IS as a main problem but gave no solid and definite answer as to if it was a big no-no or if it was passable. So, now I'd like to turn to the users (if any): Is it really a problem? Do the pros of the 9000/9500 outweigh the cons?

The camera seems to have good ratings over all, some of the cons I can live with (lack of bundled software, etc.). I'm interested in a professional camera with professional results without having to drag around lenses and what not. Is the 9000 a bit too much for a novice photographer (that has deep interest in photography) being restrained by a 1.3 MP camera?

[timmciglobal]

Quite honestly all the images I've seen from S9000 seem soft and somewhat out of focus/poor focus. Not enough but slightly foward of subject.

I'm not impressed by it, good specs but poor lens or AF system or something is causing those images to come out lacking.

FZ-30 produced nicer shots that I've seen, As has S2.

Tim

[nycNelson]

I see... The reason I like the S9000 so much is because of its telephoto and wide angle capabilities (mostly the wide angle) in the convenience of a fixed lens setup. Are there any cameras with similar abilities?

As a student in New York City interested in taking photos of urban life, I expect it to be difficult to tug around lenses and be worried about them as well as the dust factor that seems to accompany all SLRs. On top of that, I don't believe I have to money to purchase expensive lenses and conversion pieces, etc. Also I'm still learning, what you'd call "basic" workings of professional cameras so I think I'll be staying away from D-SLRs for a while.

Thanks. :)

[smithkt]

With all due respect to timmciglobal, the statement about out of focus images is not a fact. I spent months researching my camera purchase and one thing became very evident during all that time. Fuji cameras produce a slightly softer appearance than Panasonic cameras. Which is prefered is debatable. Some would argue that the Panasonic cameras produce pictures which are oversharpened. It is completely a matter of taste and I suggest you look around here in both the Fuji and Panasonic forums as well as the photo gallery to see for yourself.

I settled on the Fuji S5200 and couldn't be happier. The pictures I have taken have been very good, both in focus and detail. It's possible I would have been just as happy with the Panasonic or Canon cameras, but the lure of higher usable ISO was enough to sway my decision. I often take indoor pictures at my daughter's karate tournaments. These are often in less than ideal lighting and of moving subjects. The image stabalization in the other cameras will not help in this situation. The ability to push up the ISO will.

One last thought. Before making any purchase, you should go hold them in your hands. Try them out. Being as you are in NYC, stop at B&H Photo. They're right near Penn Station. http://www.bhphotovideo.com

[coldrain]

With all due respect to timmciglobal, the statement about out of focus images is not a fact. I spent months researching my camera purchase and one thing became very evident during all that time. Fuji cameras produce a slightly softer appearance than Panasonic cameras. Which is prefered is debatable. Some would argue that the Panasonic cameras produce pictures which are oversharpened. It is completely a matter of taste and I suggest you look around here in both the Fuji and Panasonic forums as well as the photo gallery to see for yourself.

I settled on the Fuji S5200 and couldn't be happier. The pictures I have taken have been very good, both in focus and detail. It's possible I would have been just as happy with the Panasonic or Canon cameras, but the lure of higher usable ISO was enough to sway my decision. I often take indoor pictures at my daughter's karate tournaments. These are often in less than ideal lighting and of moving subjects. The image stabalization in the other cameras will not help in this situation. The ability to push up the ISO will.

One last thought. Before making any purchase, you should go hold them in your hands. Try them out. Being as you are in NYC, stop at B&H Photo. They're right near Penn Station. http://www.bhphotovideo.com
You are right, smithkt. The Panasonics always over process photos, resulting in very sharp photos with artifacts and very noisy results compared to other cameras.
The Fuji 9000 seems to do what most DSLR's do, keep the processing down to allow better post processing. In the Panasonic forum I posted a sample te demonstrate the Fuji 9000 pics can be sharpened quite effectively, without all the artifacts of for instance the FZ30.

Also the ISO/ noise performance of the fuji's is a real plus, even though you will lack IS. They are good cameras.

[nycNelson]

Thanks for the input everyone :) I've actually read several reviews on the FZ30 but I couldn't pull myself away from the Fujis. I've also considered the 5100/5200 models. Is wide angle worth the price difference? And, your right smithkt. I haven't even held my dream machine yet :o I'll check it out.

Thanks!

[coldrain]

Wide angle is nice to have for inside shots and for getting whole buildings in the photo, and for wider landscape shots... so wide is nice. It is up to you to decide about the money it costs ;)

[timmciglobal]

No it is not "overproccessing" I owned a S5000 and was VERY happy with it, everything about the S9000 I like but look at the sample shots, they just are not in proper focus. I've seen the exact thing happen when pushing camera slightly foward when shooting with a narrow DOF on a dSLR, they lack proper focus or the lens itself is soft focus.

Tim

[selnz]

No it is not "overproccessing" I owned a S5000 and was VERY happy with it, everything about the S9000 I like but look at the sample shots, they just are not in proper focus. I've seen the exact thing happen when pushing camera slightly foward when shooting with a narrow DOF on a dSLR, they lack proper focus or the lens itself is soft focus.

Tim

Try resizing to screen resolution then sharpen. No monitor can properly disply 9mp at 100% zoom.

Have a look at my photos.

Sel ......... :)

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/%7Eselorme/photos.html

[Paul Hodel]

Hello, I'm interested in purchasing an S9000 but am concerned about image stabilization not being included. Almost all the reviews I've read strained the issue of no IS as a main problem but gave no solid and definite answer as to if it was a big no-no or if it was passable. So, now I'd like to turn to the users (if any): Is it really a problem? Do the pros of the 9000/9500 outweigh the cons?

The camera seems to have good ratings over all, some of the cons I can live with (lack of bundled software, etc.). I'm interested in a professional camera with professional results without having to drag around lenses and what not. Is the 9000 a bit too much for a novice photographer (that has deep interest in photography) being restrained by a 1.3 MP camera?

Dear nicNelson
I have this camera sence one months. Can reply as follows:
-Body could be more strong (to much plastic feelings)

-Picture quality is exelent, however it takes some time as this camera has so many possibilities of adjustment. In my opinion you do not need any "stabilisation" menus, you can adjust time, aperture and..and.. and at least as many as on a SLR camera. Do not hesitate to pay it.
Regards
Paul

[Mr.Jingles]

Hi,
Like Paul says, you need to get to know the camera and its many adjustments. When I first got mine(12/09/05) I admit that some photos were not good, but that was not the camera. I am beginning to get used to it now, and my photos now are quite alright.
Martin