Recomendations on a bridge digital camera?

Question

I'm looking for a bridge digital camera, yet I'm quite confused with the options available!

I want something that I can carry around with me (albeit in a bag rather than a pocket!)

I am looking to start taking photos as a hobbie, rather than just snapshots of events/places to remember them, so I am looking for a camera that will be sharp.

I want a fast shutter speed, something that is good with portraits/groups and animals..landscapes and macro would be nice too.

As I'm wanting to photograph animals, a decent zoom is needed, and preferably an image stableiser function!

I want it to have a good battery life, or for it to take AA batteries so I can take spares on days out.

I've looked on review sites, but I'm just getting more confused!

Please help!

Answer 1

There are only 2 good Bridge Camera out there and they are

Sony DSC R1 (10 megapixels)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscr...

Huge APS-C  Sensor (just like DSLR)  wide angle 24-120mm (f2.8 - 4.8) great noise control upto ISO 800 and even ISO 1600

FujiFilm FinePix S100Fs (11 MP)  

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm...

2/3" Sensor (2.5 times smaller than APS-C sensor, but its a HDR sensor which handles noise very well at high ISO upto 800, not so good at ISO 1600 (Same with most entry level DSLR)

Awesome Lens (28-400mm f2.8-5.3) with Image Stablisation

I've left out the Panasonic because,  They have a great Lens and a awesome zoom (FZ 18,   28-504mm) the sensor is very small ( 1/2.5") and that gives noise at ISO 200, and at ISO 400 its a real mushy mess, due to Agressive Noise Reduction being applied.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasoni...

So

(8MP   360g)   (RRP £199)

If you need a very Long zoom (28-504 mm with Image Stablisation) and don't mind Noise in your pictures than go for the 'Panasonic FZ18'

(10 MP  995g)  (RRP £500)

If you need the best quality Photos and a Moderate Zoom 24-120mm But! NO Stablisation than go for the Sony DSC R1

(11 MP  968g)  (RRP £399)

My choice would be the FujiFilm FinePix S100Fs because you get a great zoom (28-400mm) and great photos with image stablisation

All have good battery life

All have 'Scene modes' , Shutter and Aperture controls

All have good Shutter speeds

Bridge Camera's are good because you  get a all in one 28-400mm  Something you wont get on a DSLR because they have bigger Sensors, which means Lens need larger focal lengths, it would be too heavy and too long to carry around all the time and cost £1000s

Thats why they make  2 to 3 separate lens to get those focal lengths and good apertures (f2.8 - 4) but can be expensive

Most DSLR  are sold with kit lens that are (35-90mm f3.5-5.6)

I wanted to by a lens for my Olympus E510 which was  14-54mm (28-108mm in 35mm format)   f2.8 - 3.5 and it cost £390 and weighs 435g + 490g DSLR = 925g. now just how much would a 28-400mm Lens cost and weigh.

.

Answer 2

You seem to want a lot of things that one camera cannot do.

The P&S bridge cameras have shutter lag, so are not good cameras for shooting wildlife, nor do they have wide angle lenses more that 28 mm ... landscapes are much better with 24 mm or 20 mm (when compared to a lens on a 35 mm camera)  They also have tiny sensors when compared to entry level DSLR's ... about 15 times smaller in fact.

Li-ion batteries are the state of the art digital camera battery.  The hold their charges longer and can last up to 5 years if treated properly.

AA batteries are just a pain ... even the rechargeables ... that is why all the pro cameras use Li-ion batteries

When I am out and shooting in way from my office or home, I carry my battery charger and charge the cameras batteries when ever I have a chance ... even if that means sitting in a seat at a coffee shop that has a wall outlet.

Bridge cameras are sort of the way out,  now that entry level DLSR's cost the same or less than a good P&S bridge camera.  There is still a small market out there, but it is just not ecomomical to buy a $500 bridge camera when an entry level DSLR can be purchased for less.

Answer 3

You might want to take a look at the Canon G9.