Which camera fits my needs?

[MikeH]

Okay, I had basically all written out my needs and wishes with regards to a new digital camera but then I realized I probably do myself no favor by writing a novel here, so I will try to sum it up in a list:

- digital camera, no DSLR

- should be under $400

- main use is social photography and video shoots at parties, family events etc.

- secondary use is photography of cityscapes, urban scenes, visits to zoos and nature parks, random snapshots

- due to typical circumstances at social events the main requirement is lowlight performance in still and movie modes thus I am basically looking for a camera with great lowlight performance and great movie mode. As you cannot use a flash for movies the lowlight problem is particularly problematic for movie clips of course.

- Movie Mode requirements: at least 640x480 at 30 fps without time or size limit and with sound but higher resolution and framerate of course desirable and of course the best possible quality in poor lighting and artificial light in general.

- Other wishes: A better than standard zoom for vast cityscapes and landscapes, Image Stabilization ideal but not required, standard batteries over proprietary ones, at least 5 MP, the more manual controls the better as I like to play around with configurations. I use photos mostly digitally so prints aren't an issue, but I like to "blow them up" on the PC.

- Have looked at Fujifilm Finepix S6000fd and am almost ready to purchase but wanted to get a final take on whether there are solid alternatives here - primarily because I don't really like Fuji's design of the user interface on their cameras too much and I am also aware that there are cameras with higher resolution movie modes and cameras with more features e.g. IS. However there wouldn't be much use to any of that if the camera can't take good pictures and movies indoors with artificial light never mind a genuine lowlight setting so that remains the number one priority.

Hope I can get either a strong recommendation for the S6000fd and/or tips on other models to consider here.

[TheWengler]

The Fuji S6000 looks like a good fit for your needs. You will need rechargeable NiMH AA's and a charger. Alkaline AA's won't last very long.

[AlexMonro]

As TheWengler says, the Fuji S6000 should suit your requirements. Its lower noise at high ISO makes it particularly suitable for low light action, it has a manual zoom which allows you to zoom in movie mode (most cameras with electric zoom disable it, or the sound, during movies to avoid the motor sound getting on the soundtrack). The zoom goes out to 28mm at the wide end, allowing you to get more of a landscape / cityscape in the frame, and it takes AA batteries (do get rechargeables though - the low self discharge types such as Sanyo Eneloop are good).

I agree that there are aspects of Fuji's user interface that aren't particularly clear (I have an S9500), but you do get used to it. However, overall, the S6000 is probably the best available for the needs you've stated.

[StefH]

1) secondary use is photography of cityscapes, urban scenes, visits to zoos and nature parks, random snapshots

2) due to typical circumstances at social events the main requirement is lowlight performance in still and movie modes thus I am basically looking for a camera with great lowlight performance and great movie mode. As you cannot use a flash for movies the lowlight problem is particularly problematic for movie clips of course.

3) Movie Mode requirements: at least 640x480 at 30 fps without time or size limit and with sound but higher resolution and framerate of course desirable and of course the best possible quality in poor lighting and artificial light in general.

4) standard batteries over proprietary ones, at least 5 MP,
5) the more manual controls the better as I like to play around with configurations. I use photos mostly digitally so prints aren't an issue, but I like to "blow them up" on the PC.



1) cityscapes (and social photography): you need wide angle
zoos: you need tele
2) good low-light-performance: best would be DSLR, second best Fuji S-CCD, image stabilization could be useful, depends on situation
3) well, ever thought of looking for a camcorder?
4) s6000
5) s6000

okay, yes I do think the s6000 is the cam that comes closest to your requirements. Movie-Mode is good and you can zoom during taking a movie. What other camera can do this? It is very good, that you like doing post processing, because that's what s6000 (and S9100) are designed for. They do not push colors and sharpen everything extremly as a normal P&S. S6000 even has RAW-Mode, which can be very useful. The 28mm are very important for me (I have S9600=S9100). Only reason to take S9100 would be the hot-shoe, if you want to use an external flash. But image quality is better with S6000. With both cameras you have nearly all the possibillities to influence the settings as with a DSLR.