Non-motoring > Superzoom/Bridge cameras	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: MD	Replies: 32

New Mon 23 May 11 19:56   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - MD

Anybody got one? Thoughts? Results? Facts please. VB Regards.............Martin. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 20:09   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Zero

I use a bridge camera as my primary camera. I have used proper SLRs and Digital SLRs, but have settled on a bridge camera. Primarily because for everyday use the results are as good as a digital SLR but you dont have the hastle of large lenses or carrying spare lenses. I prefer Fuji because they use standard AA rechargable batteries, which have better capacity and interchangeability than the dedicated (and usually different for every model) battery types. I currently have a Fuji S5800, tho may be looking at a new Fuji HS10 (20) The SLR camp will of course tell you their cameras are better, but they can never prove it when to comes to the pictures they take. Some of the best I have seen have been on pocket cameras. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 20:15   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - MD

Thanks Z. Advised today that HS10 discontinued. I was put off by lack of dedicated Lithium-ion battery with all Fuji (Bridge)and worried to death by AA (standard) batteries. Don't rechargeables put out less oomph than standard? Also looked at a Panasonic TZ18 and was very impressed. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 20:23   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - spamcan61

I'm happy using my Panasonic bridge cameras (FZ20 & TZ65). I'd swap to a DSLR if I needed very fast autofocus or took lots of photos in low light, and could afford the lenses. I prefer AA to Li-ion as AA means you can buy batteries just about anywhere in an emergency; although they do add weight. The Panasonics are both Li-ion, spare batteries are about a tenner. The various compacts in the Spamcan household use AAs, they have a setting in the system menu so the camera knows whether it has 'full fat' AAs or rechargeables. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 20:24   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Zero

>> Thanks Z. Advised today that HS10 discontinued. HS20 I was put off by lack of dedicated >> Lithium-ion battery with all Fuji (Bridge)and worried to death by AA (standard) batteries. Don't rechargeables >> put out less oomph than standard? No - I have 2800 Ahr in mine. It lasts for two weeks or a full 4meg hd card. Plus you can use any standard charger. >> >> Also looked at a Panasonic TZ18 and was very impressed. Yes some of the others are good, check out for full 1080 hd video tho. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 20:29   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - MD

>> Yes some of the others are good, check out for full 1080 hd video tho. >> In the real world how much does that matter over 720? Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 20:33   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Zero

if you want to show it on your big screen tele, it matters. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 21:50   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - MD

>> if you want to show it on your big screen tele, it matters. >> I only have a small one! Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 21:53   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Zero

I know that but what about the tele. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 20:43   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Manatee

>> In the real world how much does that matter over 720? >> Not at all if you don't need it. Be aware that video on still cameras can't always zoom while shooting, or if it does can often be noisy. I have a Panasonic FZ20. Good in its day, amazing in fact. I also use a couple of Pentax SLRs but my favourite camera is a compact Panasonic LX3 (now replaced by LX5 - very high quality:size ratio, but no zoom to speak of). The superzooms are worth having, a very good compromise 99% of the time unless you have a very specific application. Low light tends to be their Achilles heel - their very small sensors get noisy at high ISO. Look here for lots of info www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q110superzoomgroup/ Last edited by: Manatee on Mon 23 May 11 at 20:44 Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 20:34   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Iffy

The Fuji HS20 was featured on QVC at the weekend. Details here: www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.565268/walk.yah.UKEL There might be a video clip of the presentation elsewhere on the site. QVC are asking £445, but that includes a package of accessories. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 20:39   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Zero

Its easy to get carried away with the 30x (720mm) zoom that cameras like the HS10/20 have. Frankly they are a bit useless unless a tripod is used, even with fancy image stabilisation. I can get the HS20 for 320 quid. Thats a lot of camera for the money. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 20:40   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - MD

>> I can get the HS20 for 320 quid. Thats a lot of camera for the >> money. >> Where young man..................WHERE??? Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 20:49   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Zero

HERE www.camerabox.co.uk/product.asp?ProductID=18523&gclid=CIDE347s_qgCFUEb4QodtV2OTg Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 21:22   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Hard Cheese

>>The SLR camp will of course tell you their cameras are better>> No though a camera like a Canon G12 is a better compromise, more compact than a bridge camera and as good or better quality. www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-canon-powershot-g12-black-digital-camera-plus-free-case/p10001382? www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-coolpix-p7000-black-digital-camera-with-free-cards-case-and-battery/p10001285 Also I reckon Canon and Nikon are better made than Fuji. Canon and Nikon bridge cameras: www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-canon-powershot-sx30-is-black-digital-camera/p1522444 www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-coolpix-p500-black-digital-camera-plus-free-case-card/p10001384 Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 21:27   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Bromptonaut

So what's the definition of a bridge camera? Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 21:41   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Zero

Bridges the gap between pocket point and shot, and full SLR. In size, weight, facilities, function and abilities. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 21:44   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - spamcan61

>> So what's the definition of a bridge camera? >> I'm not sure there's an agreed definition but I've always used it to describe cameras that are similar size/shape to an SLR and have a eyepiece type viewfinder of some sort, but don't have the mirror or interchangeable lenses of an SLR. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 22:00   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - RattleandSmoke

I've had a Panasonic Lumix FZ7 bridge for the past 5 years old, very out of date now with 12x zooms and 6 megapixels but it does the job perfectly. Battery still takes about 500 photos per charge. My Panasonic is like an SLR in every way but the lens are fixed and you can't use an external flash but everything is manual if you want to use manual settings. I did an open university course to learn how to use it. Every camera make has its limitations, Panasonics problem is high noise in bad light conditions but I find with the correct manual controls its never a problem. I've taken some truly stunning pictures with my FZ7. I was going to get an SLR but decided to buy a cheap camera for £220 instead, and I bought a car with the money I saved "rattle" not that I had passed my test, I was just loaded in those days. Last edited by: RattleandSmoke on Mon 23 May 11 at 22:02 Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 22:17   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - DP

There's also the Compact System Camera, which has interchangeable lens capability, and most other SLR functions, but in a smaller body, and with no reflex mirror. A friend has a Sony Alpha NEX-5 and it is very impressive. I still love my EOS400D and am happy to put up with its bulk, but I can see where bridge cameras are useful. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 22:30   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - rtj70

I have the Panasonic Lumix G2 and I am still impressed. I bought the dSLR I have (a Sony A100) to get the better quality images but also to take pictures in low light conditions - the larger sensor makes a big difference as does the anti-shake design of the sensor. But the Sony dSLR plus a video recorder is big and bulky to carry and I'd often have just the dSLR out on holiday and so rarely used the camcorder (and it's not HD either). And a lot of kit to take on foreign holidays. So why did I go for the G2 rather than a bridge camera? Larger sensor. Not as big as the dSLR one but higher resolution. It also does very good 720p video (the new G3 does 1080p) and you can make good use of the camera lens for video like defocussing background/foreground etc. It wasn't cheap and I've not got around to getting a second lens yet. Still a few other projects to spend money on first for the house. And saving for our hoped getaway from UK Plc. So I'd say check out bridge cameras and the micro four third cameras from Panasonic and Olympus and the other compact cameras from Sony and Samsung. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 22:45   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Manatee

>>So why did I go for the G2 rather than a bridge camera? Larger sensor. You can't have everything. If you want to cover 14-200 with a micro four thirds camera like this it will cost you probably double the price of a superzoom with an even longer equivalent focal length; and it will be less compact than most. The image quality is very good, but lens choice is still limited. Last time I looked the 45-200 was the longest focal length available (about 90-400 35mm eq. IIRC) Last edited by: Manatee on Mon 23 May 11 at 22:47 Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 22:31   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - smokie

I didn't know, it, cos I've never heard the term before, but I have a bridge camera - Olympus 590-uz. Used to have an SLR but it needed too much to carry around for less capability than the new one. And tbh I was never that impressed with the picture quality on the SLR. Really like the new one, 26x optical zoom but doubled (I think) with digital zoom - but impossible to use unless on a tripod, when it gives good results. Something I just looked at says that equivalent of 26 - 676mm on an SLR. Video is pretty good. I particularly wanted a viewfinder but I'm not sure the more recent model has one. Reviews were reasonably good at the time, and I got a really good price. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 22:35   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Iffy

... but impossible to use unless on a tripod... The bloke on QVC said you could use the zoom handheld on the Fuji because of the image stabilisation. Reply to this message | Report message       1

New Mon 23 May 11 22:38   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - MD

I clicked this up by mistake....ooooops! Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 22:43   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Zero

He lied, he was trying to flog it to you. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 22:36   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Bromptonaut

Right got it now.. My own fine pix S3000 is an early example Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 22:46   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - rtj70

Another cool feature of my Lumix G2 is you can see on the screen or viewfinder what the photo would look like based on shutter/aperture in real time. So if the slow shutter would blur it does that. Or if it would freeze frame it does that too. The electronic viewfinder is also very very good with a high resolution (over 1 megapixels I think) and better than that on the G10. Well I like it. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 23:32   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Stuartli

>> So what's the definition of a bridge camera? >> >> I'm not sure there's an agreed definition but I've always used it to describe cameras that are similar size/shape to an SLR and have a eyepiece type viewfinder of some sort, but don't have the mirror or interchangeable lenses of an SLR.>> From what I've seen, the almost ridiculously long zoom lenses on such cameras aren't a patch on a proper DSLR's more rational, superior quality offering. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 23:41   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - rtj70

But a compact camera like my Lumix G2 is very close to DSLR quality. For me though the long zoom bridge cameras rely on a very small sensor to achieve the versatility of the zoom. In good lighting conditions they will take good photos. Make the lighting more tricky and they will be poor. We like visiting places like churches, cathedrals etc when travelling in say Italy. Plenty in Florence for example. A camera with stability correction in camera or lens plus a decent size sensor is a must. Or a slow shutter and tripod I suppose. Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 24 May 11 00:00   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - Stuartli

>>But a compact camera like my Lumix G2 is very close to DSLR quality. For me though the long zoom bridge cameras rely on a very small sensor to achieve the versatility of the zoom.>> Agree. Panasonic models are excellent. The main thing with the introduction of digital compact cameras (in many ways the equivalent of an early box camera or, much later, the automatic film cameras) was that they brought photography to the masses. Little or no knowledge was/is required to be able to produce quality family or general photographs and that's what it's all about. You don't need, as an analogy, to be able to understand how a car engine works to be able to drive a car...:-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 24 May 11 09:24   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - spamcan61

>> >> So what's the definition of a bridge camera? >> >> >> >> I'm not sure there's an agreed definition but I've always used it to describe >> cameras that are similar size/shape to an SLR and have a eyepiece type viewfinder of >> some sort, but don't have the mirror or interchangeable lenses of an SLR.>> >> >> From what I've seen, the almost ridiculously long zoom lenses on such cameras aren't a >> patch on a proper DSLR's more rational, superior quality offering. >> I certainly wouldn't claim the quality of my FZ20 would match an SLR, but it's a compromise I'm prepared to accept, given the FZ20 cost a lot less money and is significantly lighter than a DSLR. The FZ20 is old school now but the lens is 35-430 mm equivalent at f2.8 all the way; that would be seriously expensive on a DSLR. Agreed it is getting a bit loopy these days with 20x or more zooms which even with image stabilisation must need a very steady hand. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 23 May 11 23:16   Superzoom/Bridge cameras - teabelly

Either of the panasonics - FZ45 or FZ100. There's also a sony one which is supposed to be superfast. HX100 I think it is called. Or maybe HV100. Downside of bridge cameras is noise at higher isos. I've had a panasonic bridge for several years. It has been great. Reply to this message | Report message