A good review and discussion site is and is by make with lots of in depth data. Most folk there are happy to answer both technical and non tech questions.
We have 2 Fuji's, a S7000 now discontinued and a S9500. Both good cameras and no chance of dirt on the sensor as they are prosumer models. The 9500 has a nice manual zoom and produces terrific photos but like all cameras there's a steep learning curve.
The 9500 is used for serious project photography, mainly construction and civil engineering stuff as well as all the usual stuff.
Used with a good image processing programme such as Adobe CS2 and a good printer you will be ok.
If you have not had a digital cametra before then seriously consider where you are going and don't get in too deep first time round. Better to get the feel of things with a less complicated camera first.
