Fuji S9600 or Nikon D40?
Discussion
I'm going to view some cameras today and I had thought the Fuji S9600 was the way forward,
but there are some elements that concern me.
Main negatives are the lack of face detection, no picture stabilization and the lack of Internal memory.
My main subjects and usage will be in these.
1) Cars - the majority of shots will be taken by hanging out of a window while moving at high speed!
2) Landscapes
3) Low light shoots
The Nikon D40 has also been recommended to me and gets good press, but also has some things to consider.
£100 more with a AF-S DX 18-55mm lens
A second 55-200mm lens would be required adding another £115
Only works with lenses with a built-in motor
Is a separate flash required?
I'm looking at old posts on these camera, but anyone tried out both and based on my planned usage
vs. camera usability / quality - which would you / have you gone for?
Thanks in advance.
but there are some elements that concern me.
Main negatives are the lack of face detection, no picture stabilization and the lack of Internal memory.
My main subjects and usage will be in these.
1) Cars - the majority of shots will be taken by hanging out of a window while moving at high speed!
2) Landscapes
3) Low light shoots
The Nikon D40 has also been recommended to me and gets good press, but also has some things to consider.
£100 more with a AF-S DX 18-55mm lens
A second 55-200mm lens would be required adding another £115
Only works with lenses with a built-in motor
Is a separate flash required?
I'm looking at old posts on these camera, but anyone tried out both and based on my planned usage
vs. camera usability / quality - which would you / have you gone for?
Thanks in advance.
The D40 and D40x (10mp, biggest screen iirc) does have inbuilt flash, I tried one recently and decided it felt fair to small in the hand but they are generally fair well written up. I decided more money was the way to go and now can't decide between a D80 or D200 (for the weather proofing).
Edited by hugh_ on Monday 14th May 13:22
Cuban said:
Thanks, but the budget 'all in' is really only £300-£500. 
Have a look on www.camerapricebuster.co.uk you can get a 350D body for £350 leaving £150-odd for a lens. I found www.photozone.de to be a good* comparison site for lenses. * By 'good' I mean they have graphs and charts and things, and then a verdict that I can understand at the end.
Edited by jamieboy on Monday 14th May 13:48
I'd avoid the D40 for the reason it lacks a built AF motor which means you either focus manually or shell out for AF-S lenses (which will cost you a pretty penny more)
I'd go for a D50 over a D40 (the D50 is only 6MP, but unless you intend to print large pictures it shouldn't be an issue)
Whatever camera you go for try holding it in a shop first (a camera which is uncomfortable to hold will only discourage you from using it)
I'd go for a D50 over a D40 (the D50 is only 6MP, but unless you intend to print large pictures it shouldn't be an issue)
Whatever camera you go for try holding it in a shop first (a camera which is uncomfortable to hold will only discourage you from using it)
Judging by your three main subjects face detection is not an issue (its only a fad thing anyway if you ask me). Lack of internal memory shouldn't bother you either as you should always have a card in the camera anyway.
Another point to consider is that the Fuji is something that you may want to get rid of in a couple of years, whereas an SLR will grow with you and be a keeper so you won't have to fork out again.
Another point to consider is that the Fuji is something that you may want to get rid of in a couple of years, whereas an SLR will grow with you and be a keeper so you won't have to fork out again.
Thanks for the replies.
I've been and tried both today, but am not really any the wiser.
Both felt good to handle and were lighter than expected.
The Fuji is the more instantly useable and is of course all in one and around
£200 cheaper if I bring the Nikon to the same lens capability.
It will also be less expensive to add to in terms of filters or a fish eye
(or so I was told in the store?)
The Nikon however gives me the room to expand 'if' I want to further down the line
and will of course offer a better quality of shot.
I need to make a decision in the next few days on a camera as my p&s has gone
for repair and will be gone a month, but without the luxury of trying both as
I would use them (not an option of course) I'm really not sure the way forward.
I've been and tried both today, but am not really any the wiser.
Both felt good to handle and were lighter than expected.
The Fuji is the more instantly useable and is of course all in one and around
£200 cheaper if I bring the Nikon to the same lens capability.
It will also be less expensive to add to in terms of filters or a fish eye
(or so I was told in the store?)
The Nikon however gives me the room to expand 'if' I want to further down the line
and will of course offer a better quality of shot.
I need to make a decision in the next few days on a camera as my p&s has gone
for repair and will be gone a month, but without the luxury of trying both as
I would use them (not an option of course) I'm really not sure the way forward.
If you don't go DSLR and you go for the Fuji I honestly think you will regret it after a short time. The Fuji may have a long zoom range but you will probably still find it limiting in some situations. I had the S9500 for a month, didn't get on with it, send it back for a refund. Got the D50 instead and have not looked back. I love it. Although I'm now totally skint as there is always another lens I MUST have!
Been there and done that.Had an S5500, HATED it, lost a load of $$$$ when I sold it, took no pics I liked at all.
Bought a D70S with kit lens and already wished I made the move earlier.I have already taken some of my fave m/sport pics and havnt even got my 70-300 yet.
Believe me, bridge cameras are not worth it.I really love my Nikon, even though Im only scratching the surface of its abilities currently.
Save the extra or go for a buy now pay later with Jessops or similar,as has been said the DSLR *will* be a keeper.
F
ETA, Have you seen this thread ?
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&t...
Bought a D70S with kit lens and already wished I made the move earlier.I have already taken some of my fave m/sport pics and havnt even got my 70-300 yet.
Believe me, bridge cameras are not worth it.I really love my Nikon, even though Im only scratching the surface of its abilities currently.
Save the extra or go for a buy now pay later with Jessops or similar,as has been said the DSLR *will* be a keeper.
F
ETA, Have you seen this thread ?
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&t...
Edited by Furyous on Monday 14th May 18:49
CarMac said:
If you don't go DSLR and you go for the Fuji I honestly think you will regret it after a short time.
Well this is a major fear, would I find the Fuji limiting?
However, as much as I fear being limited by the Fuji, I also fear having too much camera with the Nikon!
I only have a Kodak DX6490 and have much to learn about settings and how to get the best
from them and I know that it will take many years to obtain great photos...if ever.
I suspect that the Nikon will also end up costing me a lot more than £500 (Camera + 2 lenses
+ memory card) where as £350 would get me the Fuji (same lens range as the combined 2 Nikon's)
plus a lot more kit (Filters, tripod, camera bag and even an extra lens) but I know I'll compromise
the quality of the image even though the pixel size is lower.
I know only I can make the final choice and I have to live with it, but I'm torn right now....
As for the D50 - what does this older model have to put it above the newer D40? (Not that anywhere
appears to have them left in stock?)
Thanks again for your replies guys, really appreciate them.
The D40 limits you to only the very latest lenses as the camera body itself doesn't have the autofocus facility of the older D50 and other Nikon models.
The max pixel count shouldn't come into the equation. I have had prints blown up to 30x20 from my D50 without any problems. And it's a mere 6mp!
It's your choice at the end of the day but having experienced both types of camera, I could never go back.
The max pixel count shouldn't come into the equation. I have had prints blown up to 30x20 from my D50 without any problems. And it's a mere 6mp!
It's your choice at the end of the day but having experienced both types of camera, I could never go back.
I had a Fuji S9500 (S9600 forunner but with not such good low light performance) and now I've sold it after less than a year and bought a Canon 400D kit plus a Tamron 55-200.
Admittedly the Fuji was quite a lot cheaper for the same focal lengths, but the Canon leaves it the dust quality-wise.
I bought the Fuji for Le Mans last year. I thought long and hard about a D50 at the time, but the lens and the video capability swayed it for me. I got some good pictures with the Fuji, but in the end the poor low light performance was just too frustrating, plus the fact that it handled just too slowly. I could pre-focus for Rally pics, but that was a hit-and-miss affair and it took an age to cycle ready for the next shot.
The Canon handles much faster (3 frames a second!), fast auto-focus - fast enough to follow a rally car - and the picture quality allows loads of cropping if you don't frame things right. Note quality - not megapixels, as the Fuji was 9mp but the pixels were so poorly resolved it didn't matter when cropping.
Go for a 2nd hand or refurb Canon 350D or Nikon D50 off ebay and you won't go far wrong. Plus if you don't like it you can sell them without too much loss - my Fuji depreicated like a new Mondeo
Cheers,
Steve
Admittedly the Fuji was quite a lot cheaper for the same focal lengths, but the Canon leaves it the dust quality-wise.
I bought the Fuji for Le Mans last year. I thought long and hard about a D50 at the time, but the lens and the video capability swayed it for me. I got some good pictures with the Fuji, but in the end the poor low light performance was just too frustrating, plus the fact that it handled just too slowly. I could pre-focus for Rally pics, but that was a hit-and-miss affair and it took an age to cycle ready for the next shot.
The Canon handles much faster (3 frames a second!), fast auto-focus - fast enough to follow a rally car - and the picture quality allows loads of cropping if you don't frame things right. Note quality - not megapixels, as the Fuji was 9mp but the pixels were so poorly resolved it didn't matter when cropping.
Go for a 2nd hand or refurb Canon 350D or Nikon D50 off ebay and you won't go far wrong. Plus if you don't like it you can sell them without too much loss - my Fuji depreicated like a new Mondeo
Cheers,
Steve
millband said:
I had a Fuji S9500 (S9600 forunner but with not such good low light performance) and now I've sold it after less than a year and bought a Canon 400D kit plus a Tamron 55-200.
Admittedly the Fuji was quite a lot cheaper for the same focal lengths, but the Canon leaves it the dust quality-wise.Cheers,
Steve
Admittedly the Fuji was quite a lot cheaper for the same focal lengths, but the Canon leaves it the dust quality-wise.Cheers,
Steve
Just when I thought it was down to just two cameras, you had to introduce me to the Canon
- Gee thanks, another contender and another £100 to find!
Seriously, thanks for the information and images from which I could see the clarity of the Canon.
Off now to do yet more reading up on the 400D...
I'd personally go for a used D70 from ebay (they seem to be making around £250) - get the 18-70 ED lens (may be bundled with the camera) and a 70-300 Nikkor G lens.
Total spend around £330.
Great value, and the camera is really good quality. I have used mine for over 2 years now in a semi pro capacity, and only now am looking to upgrade to a D200. I wil; still keep my D70 as a back-up body.
GO FOR THE D-SLR EVERYTIME...
The "bridge" cameras are great for when you outgrow a point & shoot compact, but they are:
Not much smaller than a DSLR
They are an "upgrade cul de sac" - where can you go from here? With any DSLR you will have invested in a body & lenses that you can upgrade piecemeal. When you want a better lens, get one. Should you decide that you want a new camera body, then your spend on lenses will not be wasted.
I had a play with a Fuji bridge camera last weekend - I found it so slow as to be nearly unuseable after my D70. Zoom was slow, focus was slow & the shutter lag was woeful..
All, of course, IMHO
Chris
Total spend around £330.
Great value, and the camera is really good quality. I have used mine for over 2 years now in a semi pro capacity, and only now am looking to upgrade to a D200. I wil; still keep my D70 as a back-up body.
GO FOR THE D-SLR EVERYTIME...
The "bridge" cameras are great for when you outgrow a point & shoot compact, but they are:
Not much smaller than a DSLR
They are an "upgrade cul de sac" - where can you go from here? With any DSLR you will have invested in a body & lenses that you can upgrade piecemeal. When you want a better lens, get one. Should you decide that you want a new camera body, then your spend on lenses will not be wasted.
I had a play with a Fuji bridge camera last weekend - I found it so slow as to be nearly unuseable after my D70. Zoom was slow, focus was slow & the shutter lag was woeful..
All, of course, IMHO
Chris
Cuban said:
Just when I thought it was down to just two cameras, you had to introduce me to the Canon
- Gee thanks, another contender and another £100 to find!
Seriously, thanks for the information and images from which I could see the clarity of the Canon.
Off now to do yet more reading up on the 400D...
- Gee thanks, another contender and another £100 to find!
Seriously, thanks for the information and images from which I could see the clarity of the Canon.
Off now to do yet more reading up on the 400D...
In general differences between Nikon and Canon are few and far between, okay their model ranges are slightly staggered, but in general it comes down to handling.
I was initially considering a D80 or 400D; I tried both in Jessops and the 400D just didn't feel right in my hand and I found the control wheel mounting on the top of the camera awkward. Reviews can only tell you so much. The difference between Canon and Nikon is slight, and the decision may well come down to which one feels nicer, or the presence of a single feature because overall they are very similar, both will take fantastic photos.
Ive not used either, but I can say that I have now become fully aware of the differences between prosumer and SLR
Ive heard mixed reviews about the Fuji, a lot of people saying that they're not all they're cracked up to be (not critics mind, just photographers I know who bought them as a backup camera)
I have the S5600 so I am a fan of Fuji, but I would say go with the D40!
Ive heard mixed reviews about the Fuji, a lot of people saying that they're not all they're cracked up to be (not critics mind, just photographers I know who bought them as a backup camera)
I have the S5600 so I am a fan of Fuji, but I would say go with the D40!
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