hello, would anyone care to input some comments on my planned purchase of the fuji s9600? it's a dilemma. the only competition i think it's pitted at is the panasonic fz50. i just sold my dSLR in favor of a more compact and convenient camera. your comments are much appreciated!

hello, would anyone care to input some comments on my planned purchase of the fuji s9600? it's a dilemma. the only competition i think it's pitted at is the panasonic fz50. i just sold my dSLR in favor of a more compact and convenient camera. your comments are much appreciated!

its a nice camera because it is 9mp. also uses barrel ring for zoom.
hindi ba sobrang mahal nya for a prosumer?

Hi Ray,

Both cameras are good and have received high ratings from DP review. However, if I was given that option, I'd buy the Fujifilm Finepix S9600 over the Panasonic Lumix because of the following reasons:

1. Fuji has a second memory slot for CF Cards. You can still use the CF card from your previous DSLR.

2. The finepix can also be powered by AA Batteries, just in case your batteries drain, no need to charge or call it a day, you simply have to put in an Alkaline or Rechargeable Battery back-up.

3. The zoom ring of Fuji can be adjusted manually and thus consume less power.

4. Fuji has good After-Sales Service. I'm not sure regarding the servicing of Panasonic digital cameras here in the Philippines.

5. You can buy the Fuji S9600 at Zero% Interest and payable in 12 months installment.

Hope this helps. Although Panasonic has more features, I prefer shooting with a camera that is more convenient for me to use especially when I travel. Until then. Best Regards.

thanks much for the wise input! :) in fairness to the pro-panasonic peeps here, i want to focus on the fujifilm's strengths instead of discussing the lumix and you guys listed just the right points.

@erick - i'm not sure about the local pricing. sana nga di mahal.

@eric - exact same points i've considered. since i'm migrating from a canon dSLR, i can still use my CF + rechargeable AA batts. also, fuji claimed it has improved the series' low light focusing. sa dami ng pros about the model's image output plus your positive impressions, im definitely getting the fuji na. i just hope it works with my sigma ef super flash.

It's a very good camera, so dont worry. How much is the unit you are planning to get? Coz a friend of mine that works at Fuji says he can get it for P29,000. Just wanna know if he's telling the truth hehe. :)

hi peter, actually di ko pa alam ang price, m getting in touch with a friend in HK maybe i can get a below 30K price for it. but 29K is not bad ha, kase the lumix fz50 is 30K na kay henry's. if all else fails then maybe you can share your local fuji contact para magpatulong ako bumile. im soo drooling bout the fuji na.

Go for Fuji bro. :)

Hi Ray,

You're welcome. The hotshoe of the Fuji only has 1 sync terminal, your Sigma Flash might work with it but only using Manual Mode. I saw the Finepix S9600 during the last Photoworld 2007 in Glorietta. I understand that it is available in all of the branches of Fuji Digital Imaging. Just let me know your location and I will refer to you the nearest store in your area. No need to buy it in Hongkong or abroad, it is available locally for Php 29,990.00. As what I mentioned earlier, you can get it at zero % interest and payable in 12 months. There is also the issue of local warranty and servicing so it is not advisable to buy a camera overseas. I'm not sure but Fuji might also have a promo right now wherein they are giving away an XD or CF Card with the camera either 512MB or 1GB. Just remember to reformat your old CF card using the Fuji Finepix camera since I used to have difficulty opening the files in my CF card when I was using a Canon 1D Mark 2.

As what my mentor always tell me, just close your eyes and buy it. It's a good investment and reliable camera. One of the great photographers I met last year used his S9500 for his personal trip in Europe and his works are now displayed at a Museum in Paris, France. The S9600 is an improved version and can also deliver the same works of Art when used by a skilled, talented and creative photographer.

Hi Ray! I have a fuji S9500 and just recently bought a E500 dslr. I agree with eric, its the closest you can get to a dslr. my only gripe with it is the 1.1 fps continuous shooting mode hence the purchase of the dslr.
I'm contemplating selling the S9500 but weighing its pros and cons leans me towards keeping it. Biggest pros for me is the 28-300mm range! no need to lug heavy lenses!
BTW, I got the fuji at 0% last year but at 39k though. It came with 512xd, fuji camera case, fuji rechargeable batts/charger. don't know what freebies they have today though but at 29,900, thats a good price.:) .

Hi ray! I already purchased the Fuji 9600 last Photoworld Manila. I decided to buy this one because of the price. I find features from more expensive dslrs here inspite of low price. In fact, I also got a free Ipod Shuffle Pocket.

wow thats a good news kung 29k na lang sya. i remember someone is selling it at 20k sa other thread last yr. contented fuji user here for about a year (s5100) but already upgraded.

wow a lot of support! thanks much gentlemen.
@ eric - im near sto. domingo, so im ok with 29,9K straight purchase sa lab/shop. appreciate your help. will update the forum as soon as i get it by this wednesday! have a great week everybody!

to those who owned this unit, how's the image quality? i am actually contemplating in buying one but when i tried it in last year's photoworld, the noise is just too much! though i only tried it on the spot thus lighting is not good enough.

Hi Ray,

Good to know that you are based in Sto. Domingo, the main office of Fuji YKL is located at No. 24 Sto. Domingo Street - Quezon City. Tel. No. 743-66-01 to 06. You can look for anyone from Sales and inquire what other free items they are offering with the Fuji Finepix S9600.

The digital noise can also be managed by manually adjusting the ISO from 80-1600. The shutter speed is also from 1/4 sec. to 1/4000 sec. which is quite Okay in shooting Events. Like the Panasonic and its cousin - Nikon, the color mode can also be set from Chrome to Black & White aside from Colored. Since you are also based in Quezon City, I suggest you also drop by Aperture Trading to buy a nice camera bag and Hoya Multi-Coated UV lens filter to protect your lens and gear. Until then. Best Regards, Happy Shooting and Have Fun Always.

thanks for the valuable tips! this afternoon i was in megamall and got the digicam already, they gave me a free fujifilm branded soft camera pouch. too bad i haven't heard of the recent photo exhibit promo where they gave away a free ipod shuffle.

thanks for the valuable tips! this afternoon i was in megamall and got the digicam already, they gave me a free fujifilm branded soft camera pouch. too bad i haven't heard of the recent photo exhibit promo where they gave away a free ipod shuffle.

congrats on your new camera, i'm sure you'll have fun with that.. ^_^ sample shots naman.. hehehe

Congrats on your purchase :D

i was gonna get the s9600 for $400 some dude was selling it in craigslist.com i opted on buying a dslr though..

Hi guys! I'm new here. Planning to get an S9600 in HK, using a s5600 at the moment. Can you suggest an external flash unit for this camera. Thanks!

Hi guys! I'm new here. Planning to get an S9600 in HK, using a s5600 at the moment. Can you suggest an external flash unit for this camera. Thanks!

The 9600 does not have any TTL flash capabilities on it's external hotshoe. So any manual or Auto A external flash will work with the 9600. :)

The 9600 does not have any TTL flash capabilities on it's external hotshoe. So any manual or Auto A external flash will work with the 9600. :)

Thanks for the reply sir! What brand would you recomend? and how much will it cost :)

Thanks for the reply sir! What brand would you recomend? and how much will it cost :)

Sunpak is good enough.

http://www.tocad.com/flash/144pc.html

Thank you sir! This is available locally?

tested the s9600 in the field and studio, here's a sample of my recent lighting and texutre study:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/160/433032279_58c57beffa.jpg

i'm happy with the fuji. critiques in any form are most welcome. thanks in advance.

hello, would anyone care to input some comments on my planned purchase of the fuji s9600? it's a dilemma. the only competition i think it's pitted at is the panasonic fz50. i just sold my dSLR in favor of a more compact and convenient camera. your comments are much appreciated!
Hi Ray,

Greetings from Bongao, Tawi-Tawi!

I'm using the Fujifilm Finepix 9100 (9600) here and I'm very impressed with the images that I downloaded to my Macbook. I have the 9500 also and this one is better. I'm not familiar with Panasonic but I would recommend you go for Fuji. Great colors and a folding LCD makes it very easy to use. I wish I know how to post:( so I can send you sample images of dawn I took yesterday off Siasi, Jolo and closeup of flowers I took this morning.

Happy shooting!:)

Noli

wow sir noli, that's really a stretch from your batanes base. i was at fuji a while ago, with angie de silva, he already informed me of your loc. im sure you have fantastic shots down there. i'm using the s9600 already, and yes it is a wonderful camera.

[quote=ray ruiz]wow sir noli, that's really a stretch from your batanes base. i was at fuji a while ago, with angie de silva, he already informed me of your loc. im sure you have fantastic shots down there. i'm using the s9600 already, and yes it is a wonderful camera.[/quote}

Ray, I'm learning how to post. I will upload some images I took with it and the Finepix 31fd. I will take photos of the full moon in a week using the digital zoom and will post the results. Great colors!:)

i am going to buy fuji 9600 in INR 19500, is it worth it for new user

Hi Ray and Arif,

Here are two samples I took with my S9100 here in Tawi-Tawi.

http://www.pbase.com/noligabilo/image/76673997.jpg

Every morning especially Saturdays and Sundays, people from all walks of life (muslims, christians, sama, tausug...) troop to the capitol grounds to jog and exercise. This is a testament to how peaceful Tawi-Tawi is. Some, like this youngsters just come to witness the coming of a new day. Here they gaze at the horizon waiting for the sun to rise from the roofdeck of the capitol building.


http://www.pbase.com/noligabilo/image/76673952.jpg

Tawi-Tawi is composed of 309 islands in 11 municipalities including Sibutu (the youngest that just separated from its mother town, Sitangkai last year), Mapun just south of Palawan and Turtle Islands which is only 45 minutes away from Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia. Every municipality is a mini-archipelago. Fishing and seaweed farming are its major industries. Eighty percent (80%) of the carageenan from the philippines comes from here.

Arif, I think it is worth buying. With a 28-300mm zoom lens. a folding lcd and at 9 megapixels, it's a good choice. And add to that great colors right out of your jpeg files that Fujifilm is known for, you're a winner.

For other S9600 sample images, please visit Fujifilm Finepix S9100 Sample Images and Palm Sunday in Tawi-Tawi galleries at www.noligabilo.com.: (http://www.noligabilo.com.:))

fantastic as always sir Noli! u definitely maximized the fuji to it's full potential. i also heard u have a reservation for the s5? will also try the s9100 sa landscape, one remarkable thing about it is its metering.

@arif - IMHO, get an SLR first.

fantastic as always sir Noli! u definitely maximized the fuji to it's full potential. i also heard u have a reservation for the s5? will also try the s9100 sa landscape, one remarkable thing about it is its metering.

@arif - IMHO, get an SLR first.
Thanks Ray for the kind words. Yes, I will get my S5 as soon as I get back to Manila. I bet it would be a lot better than the S3 which was already good. Check my S3 images in the Hot Air Balloon Gallery at www.noligabilo.com (http://www.noligabilo.com). Great colors! Second to none. And those are jpeg files.

In the meantime, here are two un-enhanced and unsharpened jpeg images straight from my cf cards I took of the Tawi-Tawi provincial capitol at night. I would like to illustrate the importance of setting the proper white balance for a given lighting situation. I almost always set my WB to shade for a warmer tinge but this time I preferred the one taken with auto white balance.

http://www.pbase.com/noligabilo/image/76692012.jpg

The white balance setting here is set to shade.

http://www.pbase.com/noligabilo/image/76692003.jpg

This one in auto white balance.

The lighting was coming from two high powered flood lights. :)

Hi guys! I'm new here. Planning to get an S9600 in HK, using a s5600 at the moment. Can you suggest an external flash unit for this camera. Thanks!

you can try to go to hidalgo and try the small stores there. I got my ef there at just P900. howks great for me:D

Is the S9600 the same as the S9100? I'm confused! Does anyone know how much this costs in Hidalgo? Thanks! :)

yup the 9100 and the 9600 are the same :) don't know about the local prices though!

29k for the s9600/9100 available at fuji megmall,sm north and makati

Hi, meron ba nag bebenta ng 9600/9100 below 25k? I'm also considering 6500fd/6000fd because of the better high iso performance

i tried both out and i personally prefer the 9600 because of the better viewfinder :) try them both out yourself, get a feel of them both

Hi! I've been using this camera since last April, all I can say is SUPER!!! The camera performs well. Just wanted to share some photos that I took with this camera.

http://flickr.com/photos/drumgik

I had my Fuji S9600 (S9100 - US version) bought online by my sister in the states at buydig.com last April. The price then was $385 for the basic camera (no memory card). Buydig.com is now selling it for $599. I got a bargain because there were few reviews or was less demand for the camera at that time. My original choice was the Panasonic FZ50 but it was priced higher which was beyond my budget. Buydig.com is selling the FZ50 for $436. That is equivalent to P19,184 based on an exchange rate of P44 to a dollar. My Fuji S9600/S9100 is made in Japan and I believe the FZ50 being sold by buydig.com is also made in Japan. If you like to have an idea of all brands of digital cameras and their prices in the states, go to this link http://www.bizrate.com/digitalcameras/refine__att--259__att259--more.html. I hope this shall help.

Fuji is a good camera manufacturer. Where most camera makers buy off the shelf sensors from other manufacturers like Kodak or Sony, Fuji design their own. I have good results from my old Fuji Finefix S602 Zoom, 3.8 megapixel camera. It's sensor has better detection in dark areas than the other cameras that I used. Some wedding photographers that I know prefer Fuji cameras because it has less noise on low ambient light and it performs well without a flash such as in Catholic weddings where flashes are not allowed during ceremonies. It's odd but I guess its the priest's whimsical preference because they hate photographers. Good choice for an all around camera. You will get a lot of photo mileage in that camera. Enjoy.

Here are some pics that I took with my old Fuji.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/regularguy/sets/72157602435558152/

I think flickr no longer share picture imports with other sites so it is becoming more difficult to download pictures from their data base.