Anyone have experience with Fujifilm Finepix S8000?

[JeniLyn]

Hello everyone! I'm new to DPS. I started getting into scrapbooking, but find that the photography is what I really enjoy. I wanted to upgrade my camera which was an Olympus FE-300? I think so that I could have a little more control. The sales rep at my local camera store highly recommended the above said camera. I've played with it a little indoors as it has been rainy and muddy outside and the pictures are definitely coming out better than my compact. I'm just worried that for the money I paid, I could possibly push a little more and swing an entry level DSLR. I've tried looking this camera up on flickr and didn't find anything. Oh, and I have 8 days left to play with it before I have to return it if I find its not what I'm looking for.

Any opinions?

Thanks.

[wulf]

Is it the one reviewed here? I can't find any trace of it on Flickr, which is odd considering how many different models they do have. I wonder if it is also called by another name. Do you have a Flickr account? If so, you could upload a shot and track to others taken with the same camera from there.

How much do you want to get into photography? Based on the review I linked to above, the S8000 looks like a reasonable camera although the image tests compare unfavourably to the S6000 (the S8000 seems to push the sensor to the limits). It does appear to give a lot of control and you will get a zoom range that would be pretty expensive to duplicate with lenses on a DSLR. However, if you can afford the initial investment, you may find a DSLR a better way to go as your shots will have less noise problems and there is much greater flexibility in terms of the upgrades available to give you tools for specific types of photography.

Wulf

[JeniLyn]

That's the one. Thanks for your response. I do really want to get into photography and I like the idea of being able to upgrade my camera instead of having to buy a new one a year from now. I'm really torn. Also, I took it out yesterday and I got some nice pictures, but I felt like I was fumbling with the controls. I don't know if they are more complicated or if I'm just still used to the controls on my Olympus. Maybe I should look into getting another Olympus.

Thanks for letting me ramble on.

Jen

[mattdm]

Check out the entry-level Olympus DSLRs like the E-510. They're pretty nice with some good features (live view, sensor-shift stabilization). The main drawback of Olympus at this point is that while the basic lens is okay, the really nice lenses are very, very expensive, and you don't have many options in between. Plus, the sensor is a bit smaller than that in other dSLRs -- about 70% of the size, which means there's a bit more noise (still huge compared to a P&S). And on the low-end models, only three focus points.

[carl yeomans]

i still go on the DP review fuji forums, as i had a 6500fd. from what the guys say on there its not that good of a camera. even the 6500fd is quite disappointing after you get to know it. if you can, try for an entry level dslr. right out of the box pictures are quite stunning.

[JeniLyn]

Just wanted to follow up and let you know that I returned the Fuji. I was still leary on diving into an SLR so I decided to pick up a Canon S3 IS to play with and if I'm still going strong next year, I'll upgrade to an SLR. I'll have my new camera by the end of the week! Thank you all for your input.

Jen

[wulf]

I look forward to seeing some of the shots you get with the new camera. You've made your choice; now make the most of it

Wulf