Good quality non-SLR

[dhally]

Hi, I'm new to the forum but not new to photography. Years ago we had a Nikormat with a couple lenses, then a Pentax MX with a zoom lens. For the last few years (since kids) we've stayed with point and shoot zoom film cameras. Now it looks like we're going digital and want to start taking better pictures again.

My question is does anyone make a non-SLR that takes really good pictures, has a wide zoom range and has macro focus? We would like to avoid carrying and changing lenses and flash attachments since photography usually isn't our main focus.

I have researched this on this site and others, and it seems that some cameras are "near-SLR" quality. It seems like the manufacturers could put quality optics and sensors in a compact convenient package?

Or am I dreaming?

[Moogle Pepper]

The Canon powershot G9 and the Fujifilm F50fd might be good choices.

[Shizam]

The G9 is a fantastic P&S camera, I know a lot of dgrinners and smugmug people who have one me included. The only spot it lacks in is high ISO performance but if it had that nobody would buy a rebel :)

Sam

[gus]

From all ive read & seen...a G9 would def be my pick.

[dhally]

Well that was unanaimous -- thanks for the advice. Now its off to go shopping...

[swintonphoto]

Good luck! The G9 should do you very well. I haven't used it, but have used previous generations (G2, G6, etc.) and was very impressed. Great lens, features, and size.

[jziegler]

I have a Fujifilm S6000fd, and it's great. Bigger than the G9, but better low light capabilities and bigger zoom range. No IS though.

The new Fujifilm S100fs coming out looks like it will be great.