Key Advantages: Panasonic Lumix FZ30

- Image Stabilization - Sharper lens - More accurate color reproduction - 420mm equivalent telephoto - Lens doesn't telescope, so it's more solid - Two control dials makes setting the exposure easier - White balance fine-tuning

Key Advantages: Fujifilm FinePix S9000

- Lower image noise - Better Dynamic Range - More editable RAW files  - 28mm equivalent wide angle - High ISO settings up to 1600 - Tabbed menus - Produces smoother video - Accepts both Compact Flash and xD media cards

Conclusion
The Panasonic Lumix FZ30 has some significant advantages over the Fujifilm FinePix S9000 – optical image stabilization, a feature which will save many, many pictures when a tripod isn't appropriate; better color performance; and a more solid feel. We particularly like the fact that the FZ30's lens focuses and zooms internally. It seems more sturdy and less vulnerable to dust and moisture than the telescoping lens on the Fujifilm Finepix S9000. The less-sturdy plastic skin of the S9000 makes it hard to accept its price, which is $70 higher than the FZ30.

Still, the S9000 delivers in a few important areas, notably avoiding some of the FZ30's annoyances. Most straightforwardly, its 28mm-equivalent wide-angle capability makes it possible to get some shots that are impossible with the FZ30's 35mm-equivalent zoom. The S9000 delivers much better noise performance, significantly beating FZ30's results, and better overall dynamic range. Though the S9000's image quality takes a dive at ISO 800 and 1600, the settings exist, and there are plenty of shooting situations where they are useful and perhaps necessary.

How do these cameras compare to cheap DSLRs? Using either side-by-side with any DSLR will prove the point that they are certainly not “do-it-all” cameras. The FZ30 and S9000's electronic viewfinders have annoying lag, a real problem in shooting movement. Both cameras have much worse shutter lag than we've seen on any DSLR. Both cameras also have worse noise performance than most DSLRs.

Their great advantage is that they have very long zoom ranges – the FZ30 goes from 35mm to 420mm (35 equivalent) and the S9000 runs from 28mm to 300mm (35mm equivalent). It would cost several hundreds of dollars to get that zoom range for a DSLR, and well over $1000 to get it at comparable maximum apertures to the FZ30 and S9000. To compete with the FZ30's image stabilization, the cost would jump yet again. And, of course, hauling around an assortment of lenses for a DSLR is a lot less convenient than carrying the reasonably lightweight FZ30 or S9000.

In the end, both the FZ30 and the S9000 are very convenient cameras – easy to carry, with complete manual controls and long zoom ranges. For users who are content with their speed and image quality, they'll handle many, many shooting situations quite effectively. The choice between the two again comes down to priority: if you need the additional wide angle capability and prefer to shoot available light, the choice would have to be the S9000. However, if you’re drawn to the all-in-one element of the cameras and don’t want to haul around a tripod, the FZ30’s effective image stabilization, superior optical and color performance, and additional durability are all far beyond the S9000. Particular needs aside, for $70 less, the Panasonic FZ30 is clearly the stronger value.