Fujifilm FinePix F60fd Review

Cliff, obviously lensmaking is not just a science, but also an art no company can learn in a shot time.Thus the Panasonic-Leica and Sony-Carl Zeiss-Minolta symbionts.However, the fact that none of the established players have dared to remake their interchangeable-lens cameras from the ground up to adjust for what digital technology can offer (something Panasonic approached with the G1)can be reasoned out not only as a result of the conservative approach of photographers, but also as a reluctance to have to invest even more heavily in R&R so as to change the forward half of their DSLR's (mirror and such - thus the absence of usable live view despite the fact that sensors can be exposed to light at will...).
Production lines, equipment, hardware...all that has been honed over decades, and one can understand the big boys wouldn't want to rock the boat any more than already was already being done by the digital revolution.However, the feeling I have is similiar to what happened in the 80's, when companies were invesing in refined and sophisticated vinyl players while the upstart Sony, in a partnership with Philips, was trying to popularize CD's...(yeah, I'm an old dude...)
The fact that large-sensor interchangeable-lens cameras could have had motion capture, live view, no mirrors, and all the rest for quite some time now strikes me as a rather contemptuous attitude by the big companies (as well as the megapixel wars). Obviously such attitudes rely on consumer compliance, but as time goes by and a larger portion of buyers adquire more information about the possibilities of digital technology,manufacturers will have to change their mind-set to stay afloat.
Image quality from Nikon,Canon,Fuji,Pentax...as well as Sony in their DSLR's are unquestionable.However, they could have so much more available beyond that...
I strongly root for new approaches to camera-making and sensor use to shake things up enough to prompt a response from the big players.

Clovis said 'The fact that large-sensor interchangeable-lens cameras could have had motion capture, live view, no mirrors'

Why are some people hellbent on turning a DSLR into a camcorder is beyond me. A DSLR is primarily for taking still pictures and to that end an electronic veiwfinder stinks in comparison to a decent DSLR optical viewfinder (let alone the best ones), and despite today's electronic bells and whistles a decent viewfinder is still one of the the most important aspects of a DSLR. EVFs no not have the clarity of optcal viewfinders, and suffer from lag and blackout inbetween shots during continuous shooting. Additionally a mirror facilitates the auto focusing systems on DSLRs which are infinitely better than the frustratingly slower systems using live view.

...and while live view is useful in certain aspects e.g. macro photograpy, it will never replace the 'connection' holding a viewfinder to your eye gives you on a DSLR when taking a still photograph.

Motion capture on a DSLR is also a useful add-on for DSLRs. Of course it's nice to be able to take moving images using your expensive DSLR lenses and of course there is the convenience factor.

...but here's the other 'barrier' to it being a fully fledged movie camera - form. DSLR's are the creatures they are today as their form is ergonomically best suited to taking still photographs. Video cameras are the form they are today as they are best suited to taking moving images.

A single piece of equipment wouldn't be as good as doing both.
When I'm looking for the optimum tool to take still photos, I certainly wouldn't want 'added features' to compromise its ability to do so.
That is why a DSLR still has a mirror.

Hi to all (apologize for my poor english)
my long path in digicams started nine years ago (Nikon Colpix E950)passing for Oly C4040, Panasonic DMC-LC5, Canon EOS 300D, Canon EOS 400D+IXUS 40.
My experience teaches me that in the light at the moment, the situation that may allow me to shoot a beatiful+meaningfull picture. The Camera is only a tool.
Today I'm looking for my ideal camera (large sensor / standard lens / AV mode / few direct command / no menus)and mainly should be "pocketable". This last feature allows to have always with me the camera.
I was happy to read about Sigma DP2 but up to now it seems to be only an idea to taste the market.
Meanwhile do you think Finepix f60fd may be the right tool?
Thanks