Arrrrg!

[Antoeknee]

Started looking for a long zoom non SLR camera a while back and was all set to buy the Canon S2IS but realized late in the day that there was no RAW option (something I definitely want).

So after another raft of mag reading/web browsing had short list:

Fuji S9000/S9500
Panasonic FZ30

and a late entry Samsung 815

Now the Fuji looks real interesting, low/lowish noise levels, uses AA batteries saves RAW but no optical image stabilization.

Pana also looks good with excellent lens, OSI, saves RAW (and at same time JPEG of image). There are of course questions about the noise with the cam.

Sammy also looks interesting like the others long zoom plus massive screen (3.5") and although it uses dedicated battery this is big capacity and is said to be good for up to 500 shots. Not much info on this cam yet though the one review I have read mentions 'excessive fringing' and 'noise'. Also doesn't have OSI which as it only goes to ISO 400 isn't as useful as the Fuji with ISO of 1600.

I've read the FZ-30 threads about noise and there are very polarized views (most criticism from non owners). Can't think its too much of a problem as I'd tend to shoot RAW and some work on the PC will be involved so to add a run through Neat Image or something similar would be no problem.

I'm just trying to convince myself that this is the one to go for, so a couple of questions to FX-30 and Fuji S9000/S9500 owners.

FZ-30 - does the 'noise problem' not become an issue till ISO 200 as I have read? What’s real world battery life like, is 240 shots realistic?

Fuji - saving of the RAW file is reported to be very long, some where between 7 and 9 seconds. Can any users confirm this and is the buffer on the cam big enough to allow other shot(s) to be taken whilst the writing is taking place? Is a JPEG taken at the same time (can't find anything that says yes or no)? Have you lost shots at long focal lengths due to camera shake or has the anti blur feature helped?

Probably other things I've forgotten but I'll ask these when I remember. Also I don't want Fuji/Pana slanging match just some straight forward comments about what you own.

Thanks in advance

[BonjiB]

I own an fz30. Noise doesn't become a huge issue until iso 400. I've printed stuff straight off the camera at iso 200 and it looked just fine at 8x10. Don't forget it's 8 megapixels. If you crop into an 8 megapixel image at iso 200 it can become noticeable in the print but nothing a trip through neat image won't fix. ISO 400 is pretty nasty i must admit. Neat image cleans it up pretty well though so i don't call it useless by any means. 240 shots sounds about right for an average, a few more if you don't use the flash or use an external flash and use the EVF instead of the big display (i never use the lcd to frame a shot, only to review.) I have a high speed sd card and it writes a raw image (15 meg) in less than 2 seconds would be my guess. Definately not bad at all. The image stabilization is fantastic on the 30. It's one of those things that once you use it, you'll never want to loose it. Stick with mode 2, it's most effective. Not sure if that helps you out but that's my experience with the 30. I couldn't be happier (unless i had 5 grand for a dslr setup.)Good luck!