Is Fujifilm Finepix S1 image quality really as bad as they say?

[teaorcoffee]

I am looking for a new mid-range bridge camera. One that I am considering is the Fujifilm Finepix S1.
However, I have been put off by many reviews saying the picture quality is poor.
Most seem to blame the size of the sensor. But most cameras in that class have the same size sensor, so are they all bad?

 

[dd1989]

Do you really need a bridge camera? I thought these type of cameras were a dying breed. Most of Fuji's efforts have gone in to the X range of cameras which I love. Their sensor tech is being pushed with those systems.

The S1 suffers from noise badly at 400+ which for me is a big no.

 

[teaorcoffee]

Thanks for your thoughts, Daniel. Most CSC's (including the X Series) are outside my budget I'm afraid. And I still have to have interchangeable lenses. Bridge cameras include superzoom, so no carrying extra glass! I have a compact, but although it is not one of the cheaper ones, performance is still an issue. I also have a DSLR which is great if I am just going to a location but when travelling, lugging it and the attendant bits and pieces around is a mission (due to health problems).

So I wouldn't agree that bridge cameras are a dying breed. There is a place for them. I nearly bought a Fujifilm S1 until I read about poor picture quality. That sort of defeats the object of having a camera!

Thanks for your input.

FYI I ended up buying a Nikon P610.