Fuji Finepix S9500 - the right choice?

[etude]

I have an old Ricoh SLR which is manual focus! Shortly I will be getting a digital camera, on a budget. I'm close to deciding on Fuji Finepix S9500, but I'd like to get some perspective from others before a final decision.

What appeals is the zoom range (28 - 300 especially the wide angle), decent low light performance, inclusion of a hotshoe, and the price. Ideally I'd prefer a DSLR, but that's over my budget for now. I can get this for less than half the price of a DSLR I'm likely to choose, and will probably get an SLR as well in 5 years when I have a bigger budget and the price has gone down more.

What do I want it for? I want this to be my everything camera. Candids, portraits, architecture, travel photos, macro, stills, sport, low light, and whatever else appeals at the time.

Are there any other cameras I should consider? So far I've found I've had to compromise on something, usually either price, less wide angle or no hotshoe.

What are your thoughts?

[Bobtrips]

I have an old Ricoh SLR which is manual focus! Shortly I will be getting a digital camera, on a budget. I'm close to deciding on Fuji Finepix S9500, but I'd like to get some perspective from others before a final decision.

What appeals is the zoom range (28 - 300 especially the wide angle), decent low light performance, inclusion of a hotshoe, and the price. Ideally I'd prefer a DSLR, but that's over my budget for now. I can get this for less than half the price of a DSLR I'm likely to choose, and will probably get an SLR as well in 5 years when I have a bigger budget and the price has gone down more.

What do I want it for? I want this to be my everything camera. Candids, portraits, architecture, travel photos, macro, stills, sport, low light, and whatever else appeals at the time.

Are there any other cameras I should consider? So far I've found I've had to compromise on something, usually either price, less wide angle or no hotshoe.

What are your thoughts?
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I just went through the new camera decision process.  The S9100 (on this side of the pond) was my choice for a fixed lens camera for the same reasons that you list.

I ended up getting a Pentax K100D with the kit 18-55 and a Pentax 50-200 4-5.6.

That combo gave me a 27-300 (effective) range, better high ISO performance, in-body image stabilization and more dynamic range (at least when shooting in RAW).

I just checked prices here and the S9100 (best price from a reliable merchant) is $453US.  The K100D with kit lens is $560, so less than $100 more.

The 50-200 is available for $220 and has a manufacturer's rebate of $50 which brings it down to $70.

You could save an additional ~$100 with the K110D which is the same camera as the K100D except that it does not have image stabilization.  (IS is worth the money IMO.)

After a few days of carrying the extra weight and dealing with lens changing I may wish that I bought the Fuji.  ;o)

[etude]

Thanks for the response Bob.

I've looked at entry Digital SLRs and quickly found that there was so much more to learn. I had to consider compatibility issues with the lenses if they aren't made by Canon, Pentax or Nikon for that camera. I doubt I could make a decision I'd be happy with for the next 10 years without quite a bit of time to look into it.

It seems things are different in other parts of the world. Here in Australia there is more of a gap between S9500 and entry level SLRs. I can get 9500 for $640. Pentax K100D is  around $900 with a standard lens, or $1050 with a Tamron 28-300 lens. Nikon D50 with the same lens is $1300.

AUD = approx US x 1.3

I think what I'd like most in a DSLR is probably more like a Canon EOS 400 with a 28-135 and 80 - 300. My sister has a film based Canon EOS with an 80 - 300 which would also be an option to consider - using that lens which doesn't get used at all.

The price of these DSLRs is still going to drop quite a bit in the next 5 years right?

I keep telling myself that, and that this Fuji will be a good general all rounder even when I get a DSLR.

[cgeisler]

"I think what I'd like most in a DSLR is probably more like a Canon EOS 400 with a 28-135 and 80 - 300. My sister has a film based Canon EOS with an 80 - 300 which would also be an option to consider - using that lens which doesn't get used at all".

Don't forget the 1.6X crop factor of the EOS 400 sensor, which gives the 28-135 the effective field of view of a 45-216mm lens. great for telephoto, useless as a wide angle.


Carl

[etude]

Point taken