Expert: John Oliverio - 9/6/2008

Question
Dear John,
Thank you in advance for your time!
What is your opinion on Fuji cameras? (I'm looking at the s8100FD right now.)
I guess I'm pretty picky about what I want in a camera:
- run on AA batteries instead of proprietary rechargable
- small (not SLR) yet still has Av mode, and also yet lens is not to tiny! (the small lenses seem to equate to crappy photos)
- i would also really like a burst mode of at least 1.5 fps, and ideally OIS (coz i have shaky hands)!

See i told you i'm picky!

What do you think?

My experience is with a Lumix that is SO awesome (almost SLR, except cannot change lenses). I like RAW images, and i like Av mode, and it had 12X zoom. Problem is, too big, proprietary battery, and not very good at bursting.

Thank you so much!
Paul

Answer
Paul,

I'm sorry, but I can't have first hand experience with every camera out there and the Fuji is on I know nothing about.  Looks good on paper.  If I were you, I'd go to the shop and play with one to see how you feel about it.  Fuji generally does a good job so I doubt you can really go wrong.

John