Fujifilm FinePix S9000

Pros: Very versatile capabilities. Molds to your hand

Cons: A maze of menus

Summary: I was raised on photography and lab work from the Speed Graphic through the 35mm Nikons.

Beginning with the Finepix S602, I entered the realm of digital and left fumbling for lenses behind for all but the very crucial of situations.

With the exception of a menuing system that can be rather combersome, the S9000 simply walks away from the competition. Its 28-300mm lens, wide ISO range and excellent movie making capabilities gives you the ability to be very visually expressive for both serious work or fun.

I've always used an eyepiece rather than shooting photos using a screen. Holding one's arms out and looking into a mini TV always struck me as being rather silly. Maybe that's why the lack of the much touted Image Stabalization concept doesn't really impress me very much.

Stabalization may correct for outstretched arm shake, but it does nothing for image blur due to a moving object. That's when you need a fast shutter speed backed up with a robust ISO sensitivity range.

Will the Finpix S9000 macro, wide angle, telephoto 28-300 lens equal the sharpness of three separate bayonette mount lenses in an SLR? That's an unfair comparison. But even there, Coreldraw Graphics Suite or Photoshop is really all you need for that final touch.

Sharpness is decent, color rendition is excellent and noise is minimal through ISO 400. ISO 800 is quite workable and 1600 (with a bit of lab work) can be used in a pinch. If I could only have one camera, it would be the S9000. It's that cool.