Seeking: Low-light, Manual, IS Camera

[DMeek]

Overview: looking for a "carry-able" camera (does not have to be super-compact), with certain specific items of emphasis: Manual controls required; very good low-light performance (I often like to shoot indoors without flash using available light); Image Stabilization (see previous item). I'm not into "chasing megapixels" - I'd rather have the same sized sensor with fewer megapixels, usually.

Here's my answers to the questions.

Budget: not set, could go $500-600 or more, as needed

Size: Would prefer smaller, but will consider anything less than full-DSLR size

How many megapixels will suffice for you? Not concerned, would accept 5-6 mpx

What optical zoom will you need? 3x Optical required, 5x strongly preferred, 7-10x as bonus

How important is “image quality” to you? 8.5 to 9

Do you care for manual controls? Essential

What will you generally use the camera for? Travel, nature, family

Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? No expectation

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? Yes

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? No expectation

Are there particular brands you like or hate? Willing to take any into consideration

Are there particular models you already have in mind? No

Do you need any of the following special features? Image Stabilization (required)

I saw some comments about the Fuji FinePix S6000fd, but also saw it mentioned that it was discontinued. So I'm interested to know what you'd recommend on the market, or coming up in the immediate future. Thanks.

[David Metsky]

The Fuji S6000 is still probably your best option even if it is discontinued. There really aren't many P&S cameras that do well in low light besides the Fujis with the SuperCCD. Other makers don't really compare as well, so if low light no flash is important to you then you should really start there.

The only other model they have that might work is the F50, but it doesn't have the zoom you're looking for. It is however much smaller. The new S100fs may be better but it's brand new and cost $800 and is pretty big as well.

[Beowulff]

I agree with David that the Fuji's have the low light issue pretty well nailed.

You can check out some F30 low light shots HERE (http://www.echeng.com/journal/2006/08/05/fujifilm-finepix-f30-low-light-sample-images/) and which also includes some 100% crops of the originals at ISOs 400, 800 and 1600.

Cheers :)

[Margus]

The Fuji S6000 is still probably your best option even if it is discontinued...

... The new S100fs may be better but it's brand new and cost $800 and is pretty big as well.

I had recently my hands on the new Fuji S100fs and it has the look and feel pretty much the same as S6000fd. So if twice the price is not critical and you would appreciate the new features included in S100fs then I would recommend the new model. According to the specs it has the ISO sensitivity up to 6400 at the resolution of 6 Mpixels and up to 10000 at the resolution of 3 Mpixels. Unfortunately there is no review available yet with sample pictures at the high ISO-s. If anyone can provide a link to a review page with sample pictures then I would appreciate that :)