The lens is the first thing that pops into my thoughts, with this question. However with a little thought, I can quickly add the Fuji color, the Xd AND CF card capability (I like the faster Xd card, but I also like being able to use my older CF cards)

Quite slow in some operations (this is why I still have, and use, my S602). The fash is not the most powerful, but adequate (I figure about a Guide Number of 80 at ISO 100)

This is my 3rd S series Fuji camera. I started with the S602, went to S7000 and now the S9000. I've kept the S602, as it is quite fast (5 frames per second) . So the S9000 is really a replacement for the S7000, and it is a very fine replacement for that camera. I like the 9 megapixel, non-interpolated, image size ... great for cropping an image. I like the 10X zoom lens and the 28mm equivilent wide angle view. I typically use a Sunpak 610 flash and shoot group shots (American Legion Area meetings) at 40-60 feet. This camera does a great job. I even am pleased with my shots at 100 feet, with this camera and the Sunpak flash.

I have liked the style, handling and feature set of the Fuji S series camera, ever since I first bought the S602. I am glad I upgraded to the S9000.

Customer Service

I've never needed Fuji Customer Service, never had a problem with any of their cameras.

Similar Products Used:

Fuji S602, S7000, S900
Sanyo x350
Canon S50

Great zoom
9mp resolution
Nice colors
ISO 800 very usable

ISO 1600 a little noise
some of the features and settings it takes a while to get to

This is my third Fuji s-series camera. I bought the s9000 for its zoom and I think this is a good all around camera. It suites my needs in that it is compact enough to take with me everyday without taking a bunch of lenses.

Similar Products Used:

s7000
s5000
Nikon D50

uses Nikon lense price aa batteries

none

I had a Nikon coolpix 8800 and was happy with it but wanted more manual then auto, so I sold my Nikon and want to fuji 9000. I now have a Canon D30 but still use the Fuji, I like the fact that it takes good pix and I can take with me without a bunch of exteras/ The two card idea isnt a big thing but if you have a mp3 or some other item that used one of the two cards, its a bonus. The 9 pixels for around 600.00 is great to.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 8800 coolpix

The lens is good, I've taken close ups and macro shots with it and I'm very impressed. The results certainly stand up against my Nikon D70, with better exposures, though perhaps very slightly softer edges (this might be due more to better in-camera sharpening by the Nikon). It's got an on-screen grid facility (good for rule of thirds and architecture) and the batteries last well- being AA, it's easy to get spares in an emergency too.

Downsides that I've noted are a long processing delay when shooting RAW and a slightly weak built in flash, with no dedicated versions available for the hotshoe. If it's vital photos I'm taking I lift the Nikon (because I like RAW a lot), but if I'm just out for a day, I lift the Fuji and shoot JPG.

I was in the market for an 'all-in-one' solution and read an awful lot of reviews about this camera and it's peers but it was when handling it that I fell in love. It feels sturdy, ergonomically sound, and has a reassuring tactile quality. Most importantly, it has a wide end of 28mm (equivalent), which allows much broader landscapes.

I have to say, because of it's compact size and excellent lens range, the Fuji gets lifted much more often than my Nikon D70. I've read a few bad reviews, but I have to say, having used it for several months now, I'm delighted.

Customer Service

I got really fast responses from Fuji after I requested recommendations for a suitable external flash. Also, I found the website much more welcoming and useful that Nikon's.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon D70
Minolta A1
Minolta 7Hi
Olympus E10

Well built
Nice as a walkabout camera

Lousy operation modes
You have to turn the camera off and on again after a preset time. So much for a long cable release if you have to go to the camera every three minutes.
I could fill up pages about the poor operation.
Poor quality photos.
Grain even at ISO 200 is detectable, more than my wife's Fuji F10

Terrible:
Worst purchase I have ever made. Thanks to be that it was not very expensive. Bought it because the photos from my wife"s Fuji F10 were fantastic. I thought I had a dud. Sent it back to Fuji and it was returned with a note saying it met all factory specs. I have had 5 digital cameras including a DSLR ranging from 4 to 8 megapixels. The S9000 would not even compare to my old 4 megapixel Nikon.
I definetely would read a lot more reviews before I bought one. Obviously, I only read the good ones. I even hate to stick it on eBay. Throw it in the box or give it to my 8 year old grandson to have fun with.
Sorry Fuji. Love your film, but hate this camera. Where it got such great reviews, I don't know. I was not expecting DSLR quality, but I was expecting more than I got.

Customer Service

Very prompt, got my camera back in about two weeks.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 950, Nikon 990, Minolta A1 and A2, Maxxum 7D

I have 40+ years as a serious amateur photographer. I have owned 4 SLR Film cameras and an Olympus C4000 Digital. The C4000 takes fine photos but I became frustrated with it's limitations (shutter lag, difficult to get at manual settings, slow shot to shot times, limited Zoom) The s9000 solves all those problems. I have to say this camera is not for everybody. Out of the box the pictures have little in-camera processing and may look a little flat if you're used to a point and shoot. That's because most serious photographers want to do their tweaking out of camera. There are in camera settings that allow you to liven up your pictures but if you are looking for that in your face high contrast saturated color look many point and shoot cameras give out of box you won't get it. If however your looking for natural accurate color rendition look no furthar. For a camera of this price I found noise levels almost non-existant at 80 and 100 iso, very low at iso 200, low at 400 useable at 800 and high at 1600. The controls were easy to use and most of the common settings could be accessed with one button push. There is some softness in the lens at the corners (typical of long zooms) but it was visible only when blown up to huge size on screen (about 2 feet by 3 feet) Do not judge this camera on initial reactions. At first I was dissapointed but after learning the controls and tweaking the settings I can say I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend it highly to any serious photographer.

I wish there were more options accessable through the "f" button (Raw, White balance)

My rating is based on what you get for the price. A DSLR may be a little better but equipped with a comparable lens even the cheapest would cost hundreds more. For all but the most demanding applications the S9000 will do just as well.

Customer Service

Unknown

Similar Products Used:

Olympus c4000, Film SLR's

Solid build; Fast start up time; Much faster autofocus than predecessors Natural light setting Focus aid works in extreme low light

Burst only 1.5 fps - I miss the 4.5 fps on the s602 Raw mode deep in the menu Natural light mode is program only.

This is not a DSLR, and I'm not looking for one, yet. Around the web, this camera seems to have passionate supporters and detractors. Count me among the supporters. It's a prosumer camera, and an excellent one at that. If you want to be ready for that one shot, one moment, even if you're at a distance, this camera will do it. If fast action is your thing, you need a DSLR. For everythikng else, you won't be sorry. Interestingly, two sister sites, Steve's Digicams, and Let's Go Digital, have contrasting opinions about the raw/jpeg choice on this camera. Steve's thinks most people will shoot jpeg, and trash the raw software. Let's Go Digital trashes the jpeg compression and praises raw (but not the software)! I have not sampled the raw yet, but 9MP jpeg pictures are great. The manual zoom ring is an absolute joy to use. Note that in the weaknesses section, I don't mention anything inherent to a prosumer camera. Whether you get a prosumer, or an entry level DSLR, there are going to be some trade-offs. It's your choice. I've made mine, and I'm happy.

Customer Service

None needed so far

Similar Products Used:

Fuji s602