Olympus SP-350 vs Fuji Finepix F11

Having previously had limited success with a SONY P12 and Sea and Sea YS25 Auto Strobe (varying exposure, hit and miss shutter lag), I've decided to upgrade to a digital camera with Aperture and Shutter priority and large LCD, and have narrowed it down to the Olympus and Fuji. Does anyone have advice on...

1. Shutter lag... some of the reviews I have read imply it's a problem with the Olympus... is the Fuji significantly better?

2. Has anyone tried the Fuji Strobe (SS-120N Digital Slave Strobe).... I can't find guide number info etc so I can't tell how it compares to my YS25 Auto.

3. Is the TTL strobe available for the Olympus going to give better results than my fibre optic cable activated YS25 Auto? I don't know if TTL by definition will always be better than non TTL?

Any advice gratefully received!

PS of course would love the Olympus E 330 but budget doesn't stretch....

The F11 isn't going to work well, as it doesn't have a manual mode.

I would strongly consider the Fuji E900 and Ike case. Great optics, well-made case, very fast response, add-on Inon lenses available, etc. The Oly only has 38 mm lens, not so good for UW.

Jack

I wouls also look at the Canon S80. Fuji will soon be replacing the F11 with the F30. Not sure about manual control.

Jack and DesertEagle,

Thanks v much for the replies...... I hadn't consider the Canon S80 (for some unknown reason), so I will try to get a hold of one to play with.

I had discounted the E900 because of the slightly smaller LCD, and the lack of Fuji housing, but maybe I should think again...

The tip with the F11 was very helpful, I can't tell from the Fuji website when it will be available in the UK and whether they plan to produce a housing, or if the current housing for the F10/F11 will fit. Shame the Fuji housing doesn't allow mounting of lens/filters whilst the Olympus does. I may wait to see that one before deciding.

I assume the ability of the F30 to operate in v low light (ISO 3200), should make for better scenic open water/wrecks/pelagics rather than helping more sedentary strobe shots on reefs etc.

Adrian,

I'd also put the Canon A620 on your list. The S80 lacks a RAW mode.

The SP-350 is a decent camera and easy on the wallet. Shutter lag is an issue in AF mode. In Manual Focus Mode its quick enough but you have to estimate the distance to your subject. I've found underwater that you can be off and get a picture that's not so perfect. My suggestions is to go play with the camera in the store. The OLY TTL works great. The beam is a little narrow and its not a beefy strobe but should match the YS25 auto. I've heard good things about the Fuji. I think the Fuji has a 6 second recharge time on its internal flash...other than that I've heard its a great camera.

I'm on a similar boat ... I currently have a Sony Cybershot DSC-P9, with Sony housing and a Sea&Sea YS-25 strobe and I'm looking for a P&S with more manual settings.

These are the features that I'm looking for:

- Manual settings for aperture, exposure and focus

- Good battery life (1 hr+with flash, if using fiber optic link)

- High megapixel

- High mem card capacity

- Short cycle time between shots

- Short lag time

- Good Wide angle and macro

Nice to have, but not crucial:

- Raw mode

- TTL

I'm currently considering:

- Olympus SP-350

- Canon S80

I want to stay with a P&S because I like having LCD feedback, and movie mode.

Opinions are appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Eddy.