Back in November 2005 I reviewed the Fujifilm FinePix S9500, and to say I liked it is something of an understatement. I seriously considered selling my digital SLR – at the time a 6-megapixel and very dust-prone Pentax *ist D, and buying the S9500 instead. I didn’t, as it turned out, because I ended up getting a Sony A100, but it really was that good, as many satisfied customers will attest.

Because of that success, in August last year Fuji announced the replacement for the S9500, and surprised nobody by naming it the S9600. It has also proved to be extremely popular, particularly with reviewers, which is why it’s taken me until now to get my hands on one.