I'm no expert by any means but I have the Panasonic FZ15 and the Fuji F31fd. I love my Panasonic when there is good lighting and I need it's 12x optical zoom (backyard wildlife shots mostly). But I absolutely never take pictures with it inside / low light. Noise is awful above 200 and I prefer not using the flash if at all possible..

My Fuji is brilliant in low light / indoors/ without a flash and does a great job outside (took it to Niagara Falls this past July and got wonderful shots). Of course, it doesn't have the reach..

I don't for the life of me know why Fuji doesn't put in real IS technology equal to that of the Panasonic's - if it did, it would be a no brainer..

However, given your likely picture taking needs, I think most of them call for the Fuji or a dSLR (I just ventured into my first dSLR for somewhat similar reasons - Pentax K100d and LOVE it!).

Sew..

I have used the Fuji S9000 ( virtually identical to the S9100) for about 2 years and only recently switched over to the Canon 400D. The Fuji is a great camera. I never used the Panasonic so I can't compare the two although all the reviews say it's noisier than the Fuji at high ISO's. It does have a longer zoom although the FUji's zoom will probably be fine for your needs and the wide angle end will be more useful for shots inside the church..

One concern would be low light shots in the church. I have had some experience with this shooting music recitals at a local church, and was not happy with the results. This would be true of any superzoom. The small sensors do not allow you to get low noise images above ISO 400 even on the Fuji in these settings. IS would not be ehlpful here either since most of the blur I was getting seemed to be from movement of the people in the photos rather than camera shake. This is one of the areas where a DSLR really excels over a superzoom,although at a much higher price..

My suggestion would be to go with the Fuji. Its not perfect for everything, but if you can't or don't want to go the DSLR route. I think it will give you the best options for the types of shots you want to take..

P.S. this is a very limited sample (all macros) of what the Fuji can do, but all the photos in my gallery are taken with the S9000.

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Mike.

Http://www.liquidartgallery.com.

'For every complex problem there is a solution that is obvious, simple..and wrong'..

Thanks everyone (Mike & Sew) this really helps. Is the non IS on the S9100 a real issue?..

As said before the fuji has one of the best pich in high iso.As said before the Panasonic has one of the worst pics in mid/high iso..

I think the fuji would be of use much more in closed areas with the wider focal length.BUT, you should see D40+kit (Just a thought)..

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Thanks all for the very good advise, now I understand why people have multipe cameras. Whatever I do I am planning on saving for my next camera...

I chose the s9100 over the FZ50..

Anyways, currently if I had to buy a camera all over again I would have chosen an entry level DSLR like the Canon Digital Rebel XTI, Pentax K100 or K110D, or maybe a Nikon D40.Fuji Film S9100s9100/s9600 Flickr Group:http://www.flickr.com/groups/37994085@N00/..

We bought a FZ50 for me and a FZ8 for my wife. We love 'em. Go figure, huh?..

Usapatriot wrote:.

Anyways, currently if I had to buy a camera all over again I wouldhave chosen an entry level DSLR like the Canon Digital Rebel XTI,Pentax K100 or K110D, or maybe a Nikon D40..

DSLR is no comparison, if you like to spend a tiny bit more $ then a Dslr is the choise for sure. Image quality, iso performance, TTL view, Interchang lens, faster response, no shutter lag, instant bufer clearing, faster startup time, the DSLR has it all and I mean it has it at least 40 times better than both models.Nikon D40 + kit or Canon 350D/400D +kit I would suggest..

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Hi Basgo2000, I am happy owner of a FZ8 and as such frequent visitor to the Panasonic forum. I advise you to go to this forum and search by yourself among the opinions of the FZ50 owners. Rgds,Eduardo..

Thanks for the responses. It is clear to me that both Panasonic and Fuji have good cameras. From the comments and those who have use both cameras it seems that the Fuji S9100 is better for my needs now and will start saving for my first DSLR Appreciate the help..