Customer Reviews: Read 86 more reviews...
 Great camera! Can't be closer to a Pro! November 9, 2008
I bought this camera because I wanted "all" the features of a Pro, while not having to change the lenses, but still have enough wide angle and zoom power to satisfy my needs. And for this price, this camera couldn't be any better! Well...it could actualy, in terms of frames-per-second. That's the only thing I don't like about this camera. Too slow if you are into sports or high speed shooting. That's where the Pros really show why the higher prices. Besides that, you almost won't notice that this is not a Pro camera, with all it's manual controls and settings. The dual card slot is also very usefull, so you don't waste your previous xD cards, while you can go for bigger capacity and speed CF ones. As I said before, if this camera had the 3fps or higher,like the Olympus one, it would be just a perfect match! If you are not a Pro and don't mind taking pictures at 1.2fps, you'll love this camera. The picture quality is also very good and you won't notice any bigger differences when compared to Pro cameras. As always, it's more important the person behind the camera, than the camera itself. :-) I don't regret buying this camera and I bet that like my previous S5000, it will last me for years and years, without any problems.
 Finepix, Fine Price October 24, 2008
I bought this only just in time... 179 on Amazon, and up to 205 the next day. Bargain!!! I've been playing with it for a while now, so I feel I'm now able to add my review.
What more can I add to what's already been said? For the price, I just don't think there is anything to compare. Once you understand what all the controls do, you realise they are placed perfectly, so you are able to use them without having to take your eye from the viewfinder. The camera feels well balanced and nice to handle, and from powering on, is ready to use by the time it's up to take the shot. Of course, you don't need to use the "optical" viewfinder; the screen is fantastically versatile to let you take shots from just about any position. Would it have been asking too much though, to expect it to tilt sideways? Hmm, probably yes. ;-)
Started off using it in full auto, as I suppose most folks will do, but the extensive manual explains everything in terms that even a simpleton like me can understand. So it wasn't long before I was looking for situations to try out the full range of options available. With excellent results.
If I have any complaints at all, they are fairly minor. The build quality doesn't feel as solid as I expected, and I think care needs to be taken with the battery compartment flap. Especially since you'll be changing batteries on a very regular basis. I also found that focusing in the dark wasn't quite as good as it might have been. A torch and manual focus helped out there though. Also, for all the cost of memory nowadays, I really do think a card could have been bundled with the camera. Needn't be Compact Flash... XD would do just to get you started.
For those minor niggles, I've only given 4 stars. But if I could, I'd have made it 4 and a half stars. I do think the cost was kept down by compromising on materials and bundled kit, but not to the point where I wanted to knock off a whole star.
Anything else? Oh, aye. Make sure you buy quality batteries and fast charger. With a car adapter if possible. You'll need a set in the camera and a set on charge pretty much constantly, because you'll be hard pushed to put this baby down. :D
Stunning value October 24, 2008
Amazing value for money. Cheaper than many compacts, yet good resolution, stunning picture quality and near-dSLR operation. The fixed lens is a really great all-rounder.
The stand-out feature has to be the flip-out LCD screen. It seemed gimmicky when I first got the camera (6+ months ago), but now I use it all the time. It enables you to easily shoot from the waist (a la Hasselblad) to get a more balanced shot. Also, if you're in a crowd, you can easily and accurately shoot over heads.
Great Camera for the price. October 16, 2008
Very pleased with the s9600, like the weight, size and feel plus the layout of the controls are good. The picture quality is superb as is the moveable screen and viewfinder. Be sure to buy extra batteries and a memory card. I am grateful for the wealth of information given by other reviewers in helping me choose this camera.
At this price it's a five star camera October 13, 2008
There simply is too much choice when it comes to digital cameras. Wanting an upgrade from an excellent Sony point and shoot compact, I decided on this on the basis of customer reviews - and the Amazon price.
It looks and feels like an SLR, but first impressions are that this is very easy to use, and takes great pictures when you've mastered the controls - pretty much like any other camera really! The menus are easy to follow on screen, and the ability to frame pictures either through the viewfinder or on the larger, tiltable panel is a real bonus. I also like the tic-tac toe grid that you can call up to help with composing great pictures - it's a real help.
With more settings modes than you can shake a stick at - this camera seems to have it all in terms of helping the point and shooter make the next step up. Build quality is fine, and printing via a Pictbridge printer is also very easy.
As many other reviewers have said - it's battery hungry, so investing in re-chargeable alternatives to what is supplied is essential - but that's no big deal given they are reasonably priced these days.
But the bottom line remains the price - I wouldn't have spent over 400 on this piece of kit, given that upgraded models are coming out all the time and I could buy an SLR for that money. But at under 200 when I bought it - that's certainly good value for money.
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