Fujifilm Finepix S9100 9MP Digital Camera with 10.7x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom

I had this camera for a couple years and it was good for what it is. It took some great pictures, but it was a lot of work to get those great pictures. It doesn't perform well in low light... unless you have a stationary image where you can turn the ISO down and keep the shutter down for awhile. Anything above 400 ISO is bad and 400 isn't good. This could be a great camera to learn on for someone interested in DSLRs as it has a similar look and feel without having to worry about interchangeable lenses and the cost associated with them.

This camera and lens combination is 98% of what I wanted and need. I enjoy the 28 - 300 mm (35 mm equiv) zoom, though there are a few times a 500-600 mm would be better. However, I don't want to lug around the equivalent lenses for a DSLR. I want to get rid of the weight and complexity.The pictures are sharp, true to color and easy. I found the previous commenters tipped me off to an important part of using the camera: read the manual and experiment with the various setting combinations. I think I love most of all the automatic bracketing. I set it for 2/3 stop over and under and it shoots 3 pictures in rapid succession: one "right," one 2/3 over-exposed, on 2/3 under-exposed. Thus, I get one perfect out of the set. This does not function in raw mode. I have found raw mode with ISO 100 is great, but I think I will settle for the auto-bracketing function with jpg most of the time.Olympus and Fuji have the reputation for the closest to true colors and I wanted that, even though some Canon cameras are widely touted. I made my decision after a few reviews of the Canon IS5 were out and I had a chance to get the Canon in my own hands. I personally prefer the manual zoom of the Fuji S9100.I put a 58 mm skylight filter on it right away. Good thing I did, I had some sort of liquid drop on the lens (filter) within the first week.I haven't been so happy with a purchase (gift of my choosing) in decades, thus the 5 stars.Ordering from Amazon and delivery from 17th Street Photo was swift and sure.

This was my first digital camera, other than a Nikon L4. My previous photographic equipment experience spans 35mm through 120; 4x5, and 8x10 view camera formats; and darkroom work.I currently do not print larger than 8"x10", at a minimum of 300 dpi.I am enjoying the camera. Has a good balance of features, good optics, etc. I would recommend it to:Someone that does not want to go to DSLR, but is used to film and manual lens work, and wants an all-in-one camera.While a beginner can use it, I would think this model would be most satisfying for a person who has been doing photography for awhile.Pluses for me (so far):28mm wide end.Has a real cable release!The most recent update of Adobe Photo Raw 4.1 recognizes this camera, and the similar s6000fd. That Adobe plug-in is compatable also with Elements 5.0. I do not use the Fuji software at all.RAW mode.A manual zoom ring. THAT makes a huge difference.Compact Flash storage slot.The "chrome" mode looks like Fujichrome 50 at about -1/3 stop. Figures I guess. But nice if you are shooting color and used to slide film.Downside:While it has been functioning well, I would pay more if this model/design had more metal in the body, and the tripod socket (it is plastic) were metal.XD cards. (This one can also take compact flash though).While it is not an issue for me, (i use mine mainly on a tripod shooting RAW anyway), the time lag to write a RAW file is long. If you want to shoot action in RAW, this is not your camera. JPEG is fine.As others have pointed out, the RAW mode choice should be "under" the F button, not in the setup menu.Recommended for "making" pictures, more so than for snaps.

For the past 3 years, I have used a Fuji S4000 for my product photography. I have a huge camera set up for my other professional photography (weddings, etc.). The Fuji S4000 has been an awesome camera for the job I needed. I always knew that when the time came to replace my product photography camera, I would get another Fuji. With my S4000 having now bitten the bullet, I upgraded a few days ago and purchased the S9150 model. I never even got as far as shooting any photo with it before I decided it would be going back to the store. I cannot attest to the quality of photos that this camera produces. Prior to ever doing any shooting, I sat down with the manual and played with the mechanical functions (as I recommend that anyone do with a new camera). The little dial on the back is very clumsy and makes little sense to me (and I am a professional photographer who has operated a number of cameras during my picture taking experience). The buttons are very clumsy to use. Too many steps have to be taken to get from one shooting mode to another. As I said, I can't comment on the quality of the photos (although I can say the S4000 camera produced excellent photos). I am very disappointed in the mechanical functions of this camera, as far as the buttons and controls. When I am shooting, I do not have time to stand there and struggle with the buttons and controls. This S9150 will be returned to the store today. I am very particular about the cameras I work with, and this one just ain't gonna' get it. I regret this, because I was so happy with the old one. Just too disappointed with this one to keep it, but I've kept a couple cameras in the past that I hated from the day I brought them home, and I'm not going to do that again.