SLR-Like Camera?

[Revolution.]

Recently I've been looking to replace my Nikon Coolpix point and shoot with something a little better and more advanced. There are quite a few SLR-like cameras popping up around the market, which seem to offer some of the more advanced options of true SLR cameras but without the hassle of interchangable lenses or the mammoth price.
Ideally I'd like it to be fairly cheap, preferably under $500 AUD. It should be a big-zoom style lens, with shutter speed, aperture, ISO etc all adjustable.
One which has caught my eye is the Fujifilm Finepix S5600 (S5200 in America I believe), which looks like a pretty good camera for only about $350 AUD, any opinions or recommendations on something better?

 

[CDailey]

I've got the Fuji S5500 (I think it's the same model you are talking about) and it's a great camera. All settings are fully adjustable, plus it's got a 10x optical zoom to boot Something around 300mm converted IIRC.

 

[G.T]

I've got the Fuji S5500 (I think it's the same model you are talking about) and it's a great camera. All settings are fully adjustable, plus it's got a 10x optical zoom to boot Something around 300mm converted IIRC.

The S5600, as far as I know, is the next model on from the S5500 I (we) have.

It's a very good camera. If the S5600 improves on all the good things the S5500 has, then it will be a very good purchase indeed.

 

[FoolKiller]

If you want that FinePix I recommend it as it is what I have (5500), or whichever the closest model is with the 10X optical zoom. I think the 5600 might have a 12X. Get a tripod if you intend to use that zoom though. It has an anti-shake mode but it can't completely remove it. I also enjoy using the natural light mode as it does better indoors than the flash does sometimes. If my flash gives me glare I switch to natural light mode and it does great.

If you want some picture examples from the Finepix check out the two photo galleries in my sig. Some of the LeMans pictures were taken from quite a distance. Most of them are taken at 1600x1200, but it goes much bigger.

Alss, on the LeMans photos you can see I did some with the cars blurring by and others that caught the cars so that they don't even appear to be moving. It shows the wide range of speed available to you, although I was just switching between sport mode and auto. It was great at catching up close shots of the cars roaring by at roughly 100mph. It also has night shots so you can see how those look with high speed.

I also enjoy the video mode (15-30 minutes on a 1gb card, depending on video size) because it outputs in avi instead of mov, so I can edit it with Windows Movie Maker or many other mpg type editors. It also does pretty decent sound with the movies, better than any I have seen on other cameras.


EDIT: Here are a couple of examples: (click on them to get full-size)

This picture was taken from a distance.

This is the same section of track zoomed in on the R10.
You can see that even at that distance the auto focus nailed the R10 clearly (despite heads in the foreground).

That's another thing I like is that the auto focus appears to be pretty intuitive. I think that I have only had to use manual about five times and most of those were for macro shots of flowers.

This one is from between 1/8 - 1/4 of a mile away. It isn't 100% clear because it was taken quickly to catch the near accident, but it still did a good job without focusing.

 

[emad]

Get the Canon G/S series - great cameras and they don't have the horrendous image noise that most of Fuji's cameras have. Plus you get a canon lens which is generally superior in quality.

If you go Fuji, you should be able to find either an S7000 or S9000 in your range. The S5xxx cameras are too low end for what I like in a camera

 

[TB]

It sounds like you are where I was a few years ago. I had my first digital camera and wanted something better. I picked up a Dimage Z2. It is a good camera, full manual, 10X zoom, etc, but after using my boss' Nikon D80, I offer you this advice - if price is an issue, wait until you can afford an DSLR. It's worth the wait. If you flat out don't want a DSLR but would like some of the features, then by all means get the Finepix.

 

[FoolKiller]

It sounds like you are where I was a few years ago. I had my first digital camera and wanted something better. I picked up a Dimage Z2. It is a good camera, full manual, 10X zoom, etc, but after using my boss' Nikon D80, I offer you this advice - if price is an issue, wait until you can afford an DSLR. It's worth the wait. If you flat out don't want a DSLR but would like some of the features, then by all means get the Finepix.

That's basically how I wound up getting mine. The CCd went out on my old camera and the cost to repair vs the cost to get a new one was almost equal, so I saved up some extra and bought a nice camera that was within my price range.

If I had plenty of money to throw around I probably would get a DSLR, but I don't so this is satisfactory. Besides, I am just shooting pictures of family events and vacations, nothing extremely special.

 

[Jondot]

If you want something about half way, take a look at the Konica Minolta Dimage Z series.

I've got a Z2 and I'm very happy with it. It's much more compact than something like a Fuji S5500, and has all the features.

Like this: http://www.konicaminolta.eu/products/consumer_products/digital_cameras/digital_cameras/dimage_z3/

 

[Revolution.]

Hmmm, food for thought. The S5600 seems to be a great camera for an exceptional price (only around $350), but last night I saw the S6500fd on special for around $500 I think, which seems to be a pretty good camera as well, with a few useful features that the 5600 lacks, including a manual zoom ring, ISO up to 3200 (probably not really usable, but its nice to know its there.. I do a bit of nighttime photography, and most of the time its blurry ) and the higher 6.3mpx sensor.
My current Nikon Coolpix 5600 is a 5.1mpx point and shoot, and whilst its done a great job, I find myself wanting more than the almost fully automatic settings it offers.
@Foolkiller - Thanks for the indepth reply. Its good to see some sample images from the camera, as well as its fast shutter speed performance (its not often, maybe 3 or 4 times a year I get out to a motorsport event but when I do I like to take nice photos).
@TB - Hehe, I would love to go buy a Canon EOS 400D or something simliar, but they tend to retail over $1200 here in Australia, which is more than double what I'm looking to spend. One day...
@Everybody else - Thanks for your opinions, I'll keep researching
In the meantime, any opinions on the S6500fd?
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0607/06071302fujifilms6500fd.asp#specs

 

[Sprite]

Just to put my 2c in ever looked at the Samsung Pro 815, a friend had one and it was great, its got a 15x Zoom and is 8mp, the only reason he got rid of his was because he wanted a DSLR after seeing mine, other than that he would have kept it, plus it did great macro too. I even considered this, before deciding on DSLR.

Dpreview review

only problem with this camera is maybe the price, but not 100% sure how much it is down under, good luck and cant wait to see the results from your purchase.

 

[Revolution.]

Wow, that Samsung looks pretty awesome. Unfortunately I can't find a price in Australian dollars, but judging by the price in US Dollars ($800) I'd say its well out my pricerange, probably around $1000-$1100 AUD.
I think I might have decided on the Fuji S6500fd, it really does look pretty perfect for me considering my style of photography and the sort of photography I do. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[TB]

I just received the latest copy of Consumer Reports and in their review of the Nikon D80 they mentioned that Nikon should be coming out with the D40 sometime in December. It'll clock in somewhere in the $600 range - Not bad for a DSLR. You might want to check it out, too.

Or if you prefer, go right to the source.

 

[emad]

I just received the latest copy of Consumer Reports and in their review of the Nikon D80 they mentioned that Nikon should be coming out with the D40 sometime in December. It'll clock in somewhere in the $600 range - Not bad for a DSLR. You might want to check it out, too.

Or if you prefer, go right to the source.

Pricing is on level with the d50 (or it seems to be in my area). If you can budget a d50 with kit lens, the d40 will be right up your alley and far easier to use. This is the first true dslr with heavy emphasis placed on the first time SLR user. Apparently, it also makes a very nice compliment to the d80

 

[Apclps]

I've also been looking to upgrade to a better camera, here are a few that are on my list:

-Canon powershot S3 IS (Link)

-Sony cyber-shot H5 (Link

In Belguim the S3 IS is available online from € 364 and the H5 from € 407. I've seen the H5 available online in the US for $ 373 (= € 281 ) So those are probably in your league.

A few more decent cameras for a decent price, although slightly more expensive:

- Canon powershot G7
- Pentax K100D
- Nikon D50

 

[Revolution.]

A bit of an update:
I took myself out to a couple of camera stores this morning to get a bit of hands-on time with a couple of the cameras I've been considering.
I had a look at the Finepix S6500fd, the S5600, the Canon S3 IS and the Canon 400D (just for fun, still waaaaay out of my pricerange).
Right now I'm really keen o the S6500fd. Its a good size, nice and weighty so it feels solid, I love the manual twist zoom on the barrel and the focus ring on the barrel, and it fits in my hands really nicely and comfortably.
Next I had a look at the 5600. Whilst undeniably great value for money, I don't think its the camera for me. Its a tad too compact, and I missed the twist zoom and the 2.5" LCD. Also not as solid feeling as the 6500, but still fairly comfy in my hands.
Sad to say I wasn't overly impressed with the Canon S3 IS, again a bit too compact, and I can't say I'm a big fan of the twisty flippy screen design, which is again smaller than that of the 6500. Plus I like the look and feel of the Fuji, ie it looks like a proper SLR. I've read many many reviews of it around the net and from what most say the 28-300mm lens is a great match to the 6.3mpx sensor, which has great ISO range and noise levels. All in all it seems to be fairly feature packed, if all goes to plan I'll hopefully pick one up sometime in January
And about the 400D.. very cool. Very solid feeling, very quick on focusing, nice weight in my hands.. but I think I'd be scared of breaking a camera which costs $1300+, that and I don't think I'm ready just yet for an SLR.

 

[CDailey]

See, me and James were right. The Fuji's are the bomb

 

[franz]

ITR: Since you have a Fuji S5500, can you take wide-angle shot when you fully zoom out?

 

[STLbarcelona5]

Might want to check out this website. It helped me a lot when I bought my camrea. A Fuji E900. It's also great to compare & contrast sample photos, because there are plenty of examples of the same subject material and is useful in seeing how it varies between camera.