New camera, advice needed please!

[MWISimmer]

Well, I've almost saved enough for a new digital camera.. the trouble is which one?
I've had my eye on this:
http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/digital/cameras/s9500/?lpage=/digital/cameras/range.php
And this:
http://www.panasonic.co.uk/digital-cameras/dmc-fz7eb-k/index.htm
Bear in mind I mainly use my camera for still photos of my daughter and dog, macro shots and the odd aviation and motorsport pic once or twice a year.  :)
I'm not after a DSLR just yet, I don't feel ready for it at the mo, but after reading review after review, there seems to be nothing between the two I'm looking at.
Does anybody here have either? Or their equivalent?
Apparently the Panasonic's lense (LEICA DC) is supposedly better than the Fuji's however the Fuji has more "features" albeit with a lesser zoom.  ???
I'm really stumped guys, and if I'm going to be spending upwards of

[Woodlouse2002]

I've never heard anyone complain about their Fuji. Mine is just superb. Can't comment on the Panasonic though.

[61_OTU]

I've never heard anyone complain about their Fuji. Mine is just superb. Can't comment on the Panasonic though.

Seconded, I've been very happy with my s5600 (very similar to Woody's s5500).

Omag has a Panasonic which benefits from a 12x zoom over the 10x fuji.

I do really like the permanently extended lens on the fuji though, and I wish I had the manual zoom/focus of the s9500 on mine.

[Woodlouse2002]

Thats my only gripe about the S5500. The fact you have to wait for the lens to wind in and out. Also the autofocus could be a fraction of a second faster. I believe the S5600 has both these as should the S9500.


Looking at the Fuji website, I see they've brought out the S9600. And if the improvements are anything like what they are between the S5500 and the S5600 then it will be the one to get over the S9500.

[Craig.]

my old fuji served me well.
Also took quite a beating as i dropped it on several occasions and it worked perfectly.

[MWISimmer]

I had an extended "play" with the s9500 today in a well known UK camera retailer and was VERY impressed... but the Panasonic didn't have any batteries in it.. typical.  ::)  :P
Rob.

[61_OTU]

my old fuji served me well.
Also took quite a beating as i dropped it on several occasions and it worked perfectly.

I dropped mine on the mode dial and broke it. I sent it back to Fuji and they fixed it no questions asked. Great customer service is another plus point.

[61_OTU]

[quote]I had an extended "play" with the s9500 today in a well known UK camera retailer and was VERY impressed... but the Panasonic didn't have any batteries in it.. typical.

[MWISimmer]

What are the batteries in the Panasonic?

Looked like a single rechargeable unit to me, ie extra

[61_OTU]

[quote]
Looked like a single rechargeable unit to me, ie extra

[Hagar]

Omag has posted some stunning photos here taken with his Panasonic. Not sure of the model number but it's similar to the one in your link. He seems to have gone quiet recently. Hope he spots this.

[Woodlouse2002]

[quote]I had an extended "play" with the s9500 today in a well known UK camera retailer and was VERY impressed... but the Panasonic didn't have any batteries in it.. typical.

[flyboy 28]

I've got the FZ7, which is the upgrade of Omag's FZ5. I'll dig around and try and find some pics I've taken and PM them to you, Rob.

[CSM]

the fujifilms are great cameras, ive got the s5600 and have taken some awesome shots, and my dads got the s7000 and takes fantastic shots all the time

[Omag 2.0]

Omag has posted some stunning photos here taken with his Panasonic. Not sure of the model number but it's similar to the one in your link. He seems to have gone quiet recently. Hope he spots this.

Don't worry, I'm still around... a tad busy lately ( new job, home improvement etc...)

I own a Panasonic FZ5 and I really love the little bugger... I love spotting at Brussels airport, snapping shots in my house, garden and general area, etc...

The only negative point to me, is the noiselevel... I never post shots without post-processing... nothing big, and perhaps you won't even mind. especially as it's mostly visible in air shots... close ups etc don't suffer as much from it...

On the other hand, the Fuji does add 3 megapixels... I can't comment on the camera though...

The Panasonic camera's come with a batterypack, so no AA batteries needed. But don't forget to load them, or you'll be in trouble...  ;D

You can see some of my results in this forum and in the link of my signature...

Check out this site for reviews:

www.dpreview.com

Cheers,

Omag