guys, i m aiming on buying a prosumer camera but not really sure which model and brand is good... i'm currently eyeing on Lumix FZ-18, Canon S5 IS and Fujifilm S9600. Which is better or there is a better 1?

I tried comparing sample foto on9 but i noticed besides canon with 128 dpi, Lumix and Fujifilm have only 72 dpi, any sample foto, from any site. Is it the only supported dpi? Or can be readjusted? Any verification of current owner is greatly desirable... thanks...

dpi only be adjusted when printing.

In digital world, it is pixel / resolution that matters.

here is a nice image to image compares.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

fujifilm p5100?

If Fujifilm S9600 is in your list, please please go for it. It's the next best thing to a DSLR. I had experience with its much older predecessor the S7000. And fujifilm produces absolutely rich colored photos. Thanks to their Super CCD HR and dynamic range. It offers great zoom, good high iso handling, articulating/swivel LCD and also you can shoot avi videos with it. Takes affordable and fast CF memory cards too. You can also fit an external flash to it but you wont be able to have TTL capabilities with it. You have to use manual settings.

Btw, does dpi matter to you? IMHO, you don't need to worry about that as long you got the megapixels. And printing digital photos at usual consumer sizes like 4R and 8R or even 11R

Google and you will find various explanations for dpi vs megapixels.

I know one input wont be enough to convince you to go for Fujifilm, but trust me... I have used Fujifilm. If I had the chance, I'd get a Fujifilm S5 pro DSLR rather than my D80.

@ syyang85
P5100 is from Nikon

Thanks for your input I hv been searching (s9600) around sg wang and made call to fotokam at klang valley but no one is selling it... i hope i can find it elsewhere and now i m backed to Penang... hope i can find a sample here...

I would get a Canon G9 though...

What do you plan to shoot? in what conditions?

It's already obselete, will be replaced by S100

Ya i kind of aware wiv the replacement too... thanks for all the valuable feedback...

If the S9600 is actually still in stock, I'm sold, but I highly doubt it'd be easy to procure new units as it has been succeeded by the S100FS.

I am in the process of procuring my first prosumer myself, and the headaches you have to go through are quite substantial. At the end of the day, I think I'll be going for the Canon S5 IS. This is weird considering that I once promised myself NEVER to purchase a Canon prosumer, esp. the S5. This are the reasons I decided to go for it against other.....more promising prosumers:

1. Panasonic FZ-18: I love this camera to bits thanks to it's Leica optics and it's gorgeous profile. I placed an order for it but in the end, got it canceled because of the never-ending low stock issue that kept me waiting for almost 3 weeks. Decision also affected by poor noise performance and lack of hot shoe

2. Fujifilm S9600: One of the most perfect bridge cams I've seen to date. Tried it out, loved it like no tomorrow. However, it's a a little too old and lacks IS, plus it's no longer in stock, so there's nothing much I can do there. I'd buy it in a jiffy If I can find it brand new in Penang.

3. Fujifilm S100FS: WAYYYYYYYY too expensive for a newly released bridge cam. At $900 USD, it's almost as much as a twin lens Sony A200, which is a ridiculous amount of money. I've been anticipating this cam like a cat on hot bricks, but after reading some rather surprising reviews (mostly on the negative side), I have to reconsider this one.

4. Panasonic FZ-50: Same reasons as the S9600. I feel sad because this is my dream cam.

5. Olympus SP560 UZ: Not very appealing in almost every aspect. The upcoming SP570 UZ is a very promising one, so I'll just wait and see.

In the end, I feel the S5 is the way to go due to:

1. a big focal length, though the lack of wide angle is extremely annoying

2. a wonderful articulating screen

3. hot shoe

4. overall good performance (check out some of our very own LYN works and you'll see why)

5. the best part of all: the ability to use optical zoom in video record mode, which is quite rare in my observation. Most cams only allow digital zoom or no zoom at all.

I really hate the S5's bloated look, which coupled with a rather messy button layout, contributes to a near total design disaster. When I first tested it, I told myself I won't buy smthng this ugly, ever. The lack of RAW was a bit nagging at first, but I'm sure we noobies can do without it for a while. But at the end of the day, it's what inside that counts most, so I think this will be it for me.

EDIT: typos

D40 or D60 or A200 is a good prosumer

The only thing good about prosumer is big focal length

But what you don't get from a prosumer but dSLR has
-Options to buy other lens
-Bigger sensor = less Idigital noise (therefore can higher ISO setting)
-Looks more pro
-full manual set up
-Mechanical zoom lenses = you can do some photo effect with the mechanical zoom lens
-Almost same price as prsumer

lol..ijust know there is Fukifilm dslr and it use nikon mount!!!!..this mean the camera can use all nikkon lens right?

with the current price of 350D, d40, a200,
i think more and more ppl will move the DSLR range.

Not to mention more longer zoom range like 18-200mm lenses. Prosumers would be irrelevant one day.

MOST IMPORTANT BUDGET,money controls all.....haha

Well if you really want the mobility and decent performance, nothing can beat prosumer, let's say G9. But at that price tag you can already get a used 400D with 18-55, new A200 single kit lens or new D40 kit.

G9 is for people who does not want the bulk..... but I find that it does not suit me...

Agree that SLR can produced a way better picture comparing to bridge cam... a few concern about SLR to me is the size and weight. moreover, i dont think i'll move on to play around wiv those lenses or flashes... so a decent bridge cam will do me good, at least for now... anyway, i m very indecisive now, just got to know G9 produces better foto that S5, but i just strongly dislike the body

Entry level DSLR is not that heavy really.

D40 and other Prosumer also about the same la. One looks more pro... the other looks like tourist.

Anyway, my Sony F828 last time weighs 970g.... Kakakaka... But was one of the best Prosumer ever...

hi, when i saw what u said here cause me flash back to alot of DSLR user used to say the same thing as u do b4 they change to DSLR from prosumer hahahah~ which im one of them also . Wish u a good photography journey

If you tend to buy G9, y not just go for D-SLR...

Last time when I was using Canon S5IS, in the beginning it can suit my needs but 2 months later I feel that the camera no longer feed my photography hunger after I get use of the manual mode.

At the end, I go for D-SLR camera... end story

It just happened to most of the people who really love photography...

Talking about G9.. when u put the flash on it... do u know how it looks like ?