Shopping Once Again: Fuji S9500, Panasonic FZ30 or Canon S3 IS

[RenegaeDing]

I've decided to sell my F30. I originally bought it so that my husband and I can have one camera each. I was hoping he would pick up photography as a hobby and go out on shoots with me. It turns out that he hates taking pictures with the LCD and prefers to use my D50 because of the viewfinder. That means I get stuck with the baby camera when we go out shooting.

So I've decided to sell the F30 to fund a prosumer that feels more like a DSLR. Hubby doesn't care about manual controls, low light capability, etc anyway. He just wants a point-and-shoot that has a viewfinder. The F30 advert is in the B&S section if anyone is interested.

Anyway, these are the final contestants:
Fujifilm FinePix S9500
Panasonic FZ30
Canon S3 IS


The Fuji and Panny have better EVFs than the Canon. They are 9 and 8 megapixels respectively. Plus, they have RAW!!

However, I like the way the Canon LCD is hinged.


And the FinePix S9500, I assume would have the same or similar glorious low-light shooting capabilities as the F30.

So once again, I'm in a pickle. View Finder is quite important, I think. Else hubby might want my D50. But Canon's hinged LCD is quite fun, and would certainly add a different dimension to my photography (when hubby not using, it's my toy! )

Anyone got any views?

[micah4]

cheapest solution is to get ur hubby an IXUS 800IS or Powershot A700 (new one: A710IS) since u said that all he wants is a pNs with viewfinder - Canon's IXUS and Powershot series all have optical viewfinders...and y A700/710IS: it's got 6x zoom for a compact.

[RenegaeDing]

Thanks for the heads-up. Went to some shops today. All the sales people said that only DSLRs have optical view-finders and prosumers all have electronic viewfinders.

Was really hoping to get a prosumer with a flip-out LCD though (more for me than for my hubby)

I suppose another option would be to buy a D70 body (roughly the same price as a prosumer), and match it with my D50 kit lens (I'm using the 18-200mm VR). I think hubby would be the happiest with that, but I'm kinda concerned that there's usually no warranty left. Also, who knows if he would be unhappy with the short zoom on the 18-55mm lens.

[mastermind]

Originally Posted by RenegaeDing I suppose another option would be to buy a D70 body (roughly the same price as a prosumer), and match it with my D50 kit lens (I'm using the 18-200mm VR). I think hubby would be the happiest with that, but I'm kinda concerned that there's usually no warranty left. Also, who knows if he would be unhappy with the short zoom on the 18-55mm lens.

I think if you really want to get your hubby to be interested in photography, you should start by involving him in the buying process and get some feedback from him.

BTW, had you considered the Sony H5? As much fun factor with 3" LCD and I read that so many ppl got hooked on with the H5 over at dpreview forums after getting one. Its an underated camera in Singapore. Plus you get the H series whitepaper to complement it.

And here's a user report after using both Canon and Sony versions.

[cy_j]

Originally Posted by RenegaeDing Thanks for the heads-up. Went to some shops today. All the sales people said that only DSLRs have optical view-finders and prosumers all have electronic viewfinders. Was really hoping to get a prosumer with a flip-out LCD though (more for me than for my hubby) I suppose another option would be to buy a D70 body (roughly the same price as a prosumer), and match it with my D50 kit lens (I'm using the 18-200mm VR). I think hubby would be the happiest with that, but I'm kinda concerned that there's usually no warranty left. Also, who knows if he would be unhappy with the short zoom on the 18-55mm lens.

Lucky hubby! Normally it's the other way round.

Anyhoo, ever scoured for the Canon A620. Got an articulated flip-out LCD, AND an optical VF (crappy when compared to SLR/dSLRs). Great for creative viewpoints.

Zoom would not be to his liking though as, AFAIK, it goes to only somewhere around 140mm equivalent. (that's probably why Canon got some TC's to go along with it )

[Azure]

There are 2nd-hand D70s and S2 Pros going for good prices (700-800). If you are patient, you might find a good buy. The only thing you may want to worry about is dust-on-sensor, but otherwise, I'd say not to worry much. I can think of a couple of other individuals who've gotten 2nd-hand sets and are very happy with them.

Both the D70 and S2 Pro use Nikon F-mounts, so you'd have no problems mounting either lens. The only concern you will have is that they use CF cards and not SD or XD, different media is all.

For your prosumer choices, I think the Fuji and the Panasonic are better options.

[RenegaeDing]

Originally Posted by mastermind I think if you really want to get your hubby to be interested in photography, you should start by involving him in the buying process and get some feedback from him. BTW, had you considered the Sony H5? As much fun factor with 3" LCD and I read that so many ppl got hooked on with the H5 over at dpreview forums after getting one. Its an underated camera in Singapore. Plus you get the H series whitepaper to complement it. And here's a user report after using both Canon and Sony versions.

Urh....hubby hates shopping even more than the regular guy Shopping for electronics is quite possibly the worst. I did explain the various options to him though: 2nd-hand D70 or prosumer, what's the difference, blah, blah, blah. ( <---Hubby's expression)

If we weren't going to NZ at the end of the month, I would be keen to wait for Nikon's D80 and Fuji's S6500fd to be released before deciding. But, as it is, I need to pick something.


I did think of the Sony H5, but did not consider it seriously because it didn't have a hinged LCD. Also, it's got a tiny viewfinder, half the size of the S9500 and FZ30 (if I'm not wrong). Does it really take fantastic photos? Will take a second look at it then.

Thanks for the input.

[RenegaeDing]

Originally Posted by cy_j Lucky hubby! Normally it's the other way round. Anyhoo, ever scoured for the Canon A620. Got an articulated flip-out LCD, AND an optical VF (crappy when compared to SLR/dSLRs). Great for creative viewpoints. Zoom would not be to his liking though as, AFAIK, it goes to only somewhere around 140mm equivalent. (that's probably why Canon got some TC's to go along with it )

The A620 looks pretty good actually. Just read the reviews. Problem is: it's not quite DSLR-like. OK, by that, I actually mean it's not big and chunky enough.

Maybe I should just get a "bridge" camera, something I can sell off easily when the D80 and Fuji 6500fd are released (just in case, I can't stand the BBB bug or hubby is still not happy with whatever I buy now). Canon S3 IS is still considered "hot", right?

[micah4]

Originally Posted by RenegaeDing The A620 looks pretty good actually. Just read the reviews. Problem is: it's not quite DSLR-like. OK, by that, I actually mean it's not big and chunky enough. Maybe I should just get a "bridge" camera, something I can sell off easily when the D80 and Fuji 6500fd are released (just in case, I can't stand the BBB bug or hubby is still not happy with whatever I buy now). Canon S3 IS is still considered "hot", right?

ha, ha, looks like u're already sold on the S3 IS, if so, just go ahead...anyway it's not too exp (800++??) cp to dslr...and it's got most of the things u desire, except that I remembered reading that its EVF isn't too great.

BTW, the salesmen's comment abt optical viewer ONLY on dslr ain't true, powershot's optical viewfinder is optical not evf, but definitely not slr/dslr standard.

[RenegaeDing]

Originally Posted by Azure There are 2nd-hand D70s and S2 Pros going for good prices (700-800). If you are patient, you might find a good buy. The only thing you may want to worry about is dust-on-sensor, but otherwise, I'd say not to worry much. I can think of a couple of other individuals who've gotten 2nd-hand sets and are very happy with them. Both the D70 and S2 Pro use Nikon F-mounts, so you'd have no problems mounting either lens. The only concern you will have is that they use CF cards and not SD or XD, different media is all. For your prosumer choices, I think the Fuji and the Panasonic are better options.

I'm seriously considering a 2nd-hand D70s also. I think hubby will be happiest with D70s viewfinder. Don't know if he will be happy with the short zoom though.

I guess I'm not so keen on the D70s because 1)I don't think it will expand my own shooting (compared to having some hinged LCD thingy) and 2)it's also not really an upgrade (compared to the D80), and 2nd-hand will probably come without warranty (do you think that is a big problem?) Plus, of course, like you mentioned, it takes CF instead of SD cards.


Big headache, man...

[RenegaeDing]

Actually, I would like to know a bit more about Fuji's S9500 vs Panny's FZ30. Has anyone ever compared the two before?

[ExplorerZ]

do note that the feel of looking at EVF and looking thru VF are very different. if you don mind than its alright.
and yes getting a 2nd dSLR is also better. since both of you can share lenses

[Moonstone]

If your husband like your D50 than give it to him and you can get a D80 or D70s

EVF is very different to DSLR viewfinder and I think you better consider wisely or this will be another camera you may need to sell away if your husband go back to your D50 again.

[RenegaeDing]

Originally Posted by ExplorerZ do note that the feel of looking at EVF and looking thru VF are very different. if you don mind than its alright. and yes getting a 2nd dSLR is also better. since both of you can share lenses

Yah, I went to try today at Comex. VF is nice and clear, but the camera handling not shiok leh.

I also got to try the Panny FZ50 (FZ30 not on display), and the handling is just great!! Really feels like a DSLR. Brought a SD card there to take some test shots. One problem: shooting in RAW is painfully slow (the writing-to-card part). I wonder if it's because of the SD card I used.

[RenegaeDing]

Originally Posted by Moonstone If your husband like your D50 than give it to him and you can get a D80 or D70s EVF is very different to DSLR viewfinder and I think you better consider wisely or this will be another camera you may need to sell away if your husband go back to your D50 again.

I've definitely thought of that!! Too bad the D80 is too far out of my budget......well...maybe if I just get the body. Hubby won't be happy though.