Fuji s100fs anyone?

[driverrob]

I've become increasingly dissatisfied with my existing cameras.
I used to love the versatility and range of lenses on my old Zenit E2 but it was useless for unexpected action shots. My wife still loves the Minolta Dynax. I have to agree, it's good to handle and easy to use but, like the Zenit, the long wait between taking the shot and seeing the result and the difficulty of getting decent digital mages for online use just isn't acceptable (for me) any more.
When I bought my Nikon Coolpix 3200 I thought it was the bee's knees - but I know it's not.
I know I could buy a very good DSLR with a range of lenses to match the shots I was able to get from the Zenit, and much more. But I don't intend to spend over a grand to do it.
Passing Jessops this morning I noticed they had a Fuji s100fs at under £400. It felt good, the spec. is brilliant and nearly all the reviews I've read online have been good, too.
Does anyone have any first-hand experience?

[VxDuncan]

...but if the sensors small then what's the point? Will still be strangled with noise. If you want a bridge camera that's fine, but don't think that it will match a decent DSLR. With a £400 budget you shuld be able to get an entry level Canon or Nikon, or even (if you must) a sony that maybe able to use your wifes old dynax lenses.

[driverrob]

Apparently it has a super CCD, which I take to mean it's a decent size sensor.

[VxDuncan]

The super CCD was Fuji's odd sensor with stange shaped pixels and interpolation to give the required "headline" pixel counts. Things have probably moved on since I had a Fuji Bridge camera, but as I see it for the same money you cna get a proper DSLR with a full sized sensor, proper TTL (optical) viewfinder and swapable lenses. Unless you really need something this small, get a Cheap canon or Nikon DSLR with kit lens and 70-200 or 70-300 lens and save yourself a lot of hastle.

I'm struggling to see the advantage of these bridge cameras these days when DSLR's with all the image quailty, speed, manual control and swappable lenses are so cheap...

[VxDuncan]

One of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D40-Digital-SLR-Came...
plus one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sigma-70-300mm-Motorized-T...
plus £60 change...
(usual caveats about d40 not having focus motor and that lens being the cheaper non apo model apply)

[Simpo Two]

driverrob said:

I know I could buy a very good DSLR with a range of lenses to match the shots I was able to get from the Zenit, and much more. But I don't intend to spend over a grand to do it.

Hmm, my advert on PH seems to have disappeared but my Nikon D70 body with Nikkor 24-85mm and Nikkor 70-300mm ED lenses are looking for a new home - should be more than enough to keep you happy for a while. PM me for pix if interested.

[driverrob]

OK decision made. I've spent far too much of the last 48 hours studying magazine reviews and readings specs and reviews online.
I've ordered a Sony DSC H50.
Fingers crossed it lives up to my expectations. I hope to be able to try it out and post up some early attempts with it on here by this time next week.