EDSLR/Bridge Camera

LisaO

Hi Have been reading threads on this forum for while but first time posting. Hope someone can offer advice/opinions. Looking to buy a "bridge" camera (-I think!) & just a bit bemused by choice. Background info is:

First digi camera was Fuji Finepix 2800 which I loved. Took great photos, easy to use & consistent. Thought 18 months ago I would prefer something smaller, with more m/pixels & got Olympus m750 all-weather. Good little camera but just doesn't suit me. Too small, no viewfinder. Was thinking of getting slr & lookied at Eos 450 a while back. Also considered Finepix S8000fd & Lumix. Anyway, did nothing but was away at weekend with friends & had chance to use Finepix 9500 & Canon EOS 5D. This has swayed me away from SLR towards a "bridge" camera again. I want basically a quality "point & shoot" for pics of people, inc kids, pets, holidays, etc. Use zoom a lot so want something with good zoom & also macro. Have been looking at cameras & of course there are plenty of new models since I last looked! Fuji now have S8100fd, also Olympus SP570UZ, Nikon Coolpix P80 & possibly Canon S5 IS. Fuji S100FS looks v good but is it more than I need? Any opinions/advice would be much appreciated.:)

Mellor

Whats an EDSLR? (as opposed to a DSLR), is it a typo?

Ricky91t

The fuji s100fs
Seriouly cool camera from what iv read /seen / heard :P
You cant really go wrong with fujis "bridge cameras"

DjDangerousDave

My mate is selling this. Its in top condition.

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=61275&cat=500

He just upgraded to a Cannon 450D.

LisaO

Electronic Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras - EDSLR
Bridge between compact cameras and Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras.

I'd never heard of EDSLR before either Mellor, but this is posted in FAQ sticky - What camera should I buy - so I thought term might be one used by "those in the know"?

Mellor

I was thinking it might be electronic, but I don't know of any non electric dSLR, of course, that by means is to say that there isn't one.

nilhg

+1 for Fuji bridge cameras, I started off with one, a s5000 great camera in its time.

One thing I would say, is that at the top level of bridge cameras you are approaching the price level of the entry level DSLR's and image quality is always going to be better with the DSLR's. DPReview's review of the S100fs spells out the issues quite well. As an example there is only 30 euro price difference on computeruniverse between the s100fs and a E510 DZ kit.

LisaO

at the top level of bridge cameras you are approaching the price level of the entry level DSLR's

Totally agree nilhg. Price of s100fs is pretty steep & in same ballpark as lot of entry level DSLRs. Was looking at top end bridge in preference as I know I won't be into lugging extra kit around & will probably end up losing half of it if I do! The s100fs is pretty weighty but at least it's all in one piece!
Was thinking maybe getting a cheap s/hand bridge for next few months to get used to feel & function of it before committing to €500ish purchase. Am planning Autumn trip to N York so may get better deal there?

arybvtcw0eolkf

If you look around you should be able to haggle the Fuji S9600 for close to €400, and thats a lot of camera for that price. Esp. when you take into account the cost of additional len's for a DSLR.

You said you wanted something with a good zoom, well I took these two photos from Bull Island/Dollymount looking accross the bay. Both were taken from the same spot, on the end of the wooden bridge.





I'm still getting to grips with Macro photography so I can't comment on its performance there, but it does give you a few different macro options.

I'd considered the new S100fs, but if you dig deep enough there's a few issue's raised re. its lens performance for its price.

Ricky91t

The s100fs comes to €420 off ebay from hk inc postage that works out cheaper than B and H in new york

arybvtcw0eolkf

ricky91t wrote: »

The s100fs comes to €420 off ebay from hk inc postage

Wow!.

AllMyOwnTeeth

Personally if you are going to be spending that sort of money I'd recommend going with a proper (entry level) SLR (like a Canon 1000D or a Nikon D40/D60). It's a bit more expensive but there is no comparison quality wise. Bridge cameras are handy but you know what they say about a jack of all trades.

Even with a kit lense either the Canon or Nikon will completely out perform the bridge jobby. You might have to walk a little close to the item you want to photograph but that's usually a good idea anyway

Anyhow that's just my 2 cents.

fguihen

I dont agree that a kit lens will outperform a bridge camera. lets say you have your kit lens 18-55mm and way off in the distance there is a herd of deer, or a bird of prey. you totally miss the shot as the kit lens only goes to 55mm. sure a 70-300 lens on a DSLR would be better, but if you only have the kit lens, the shot is gone.

if you have the bridge camera, you have the shot. and having the shot, at 300mm on a bridge is much better than not having the shot with a 55mm lens.

I had a panasonic superzoom ( Fz7) and cant praise it enough. I love my DSLR now, but the panasonic allowed such ease of use, along with manual control of apature and shutter if required.

Had a 12X zoom also, and was astonishingly good at macro with a close up filter stuck to the front. If i had to get rid of the DSLR its what id get again. this is the newer version of the FZ7 and it looks fab. 28-500mm lens!!! Image stabilized also.

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-FZ18K_11002_7000000000000005702

there is one higher end one, which has a focus and zoom ring on the lens, but at its price you were ALMOST better with a DSLR.

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-FZ50K_11002_7000000000000005702


If you go for the panasonic, let me know, i have a few tips and advice on essential accessories for it. topping camera.

LisaO

Nice photos Mairt - were they taken with an S9600?

fguihen - I'm exactly the kind of person you are talking about! I just know if I had slr I would be leaving lenses, etc at home 'cos I didn't want hassle of carrying them & then missing out on good shots! BTW like the Panasonic v. much as well - had a good look at one a while back & really nice camera.

Just found S9600 on Elara for €261.36 - I take it that is really good price from what you are saying here? Elara also have S1000FD for €196. Has more m/pixels & bigger zoom, so how is S9600 a better camera?

Just to say thanks a million guys - you are really giving me some good points to think about

arybvtcw0eolkf

LisaO wrote: »

Nice photos Mairt - were they taken with an S9600?

Yes, those photo's were taken with my S9600. I think they show the zoom pretty well.

LisaO

OK. So Fuji bridge cameras seem to get thumbs up from most people. Would I be right in thinking S9600 is/was top of range & most versatile, now replaced by S100FS (although S9600 still available?) Price was not my main consideration but S9600 is widely available at around 1/2 price of S100FS & less if looking at s/hand or recond cameras.

Fuji have a good few bridge cameras, some with better zoom & pixels than
S9600 - so what makes it a better camera? Help!!

nilhg

LisaO wrote: »

OK. So Fuji bridge cameras seem to get thumbs up from most people. Would I be right in thinking S9600 is/was top of range & most versatile, now replaced by S100FS (although S9600 still available?) Price was not my main consideration but S9600 is widely available at around 1/2 price of S100FS & less if looking at s/hand or recond cameras.

Fuji have a good few bridge cameras, some with better zoom & pixels than
S9600 - so what makes it a better camera? Help!!

LisaO, one thing you need to remember is that bigger zoom does not usually equal better zoom or if it does its usually because the glass used is much more expensive. Also more pixels does not equal better camera, if its not done properly it can cause more problems than it solves, and it is usually done to keep up with the opposition.

Pick some cameras in your budget and do a search for them on flickr, see what the quality is like, also have a look for reviews on reputable sites like dpreview or cameralabs.

fguihen

nilhg wrote: »

LisaO, one thing you need to remember is that bigger zoom does not usually equal better zoom or if it does its usually because the glass used is much more expensive. Also more pixels does not equal better camera, if its not done properly it can cause more problems than it solves, and it is usually done to keep up with the opposition.

Pick some cameras in your budget and do a search for them on flickr, see what the quality is like, also have a look for reviews on reputable sites like dpreview or cameralabs.

i second this. especially about the megapixel of the camera. on cameras with the smaller sensors, cramming more pixels onto the sensor just creates more opportuinity for noise to creep into your photos, so a good 5MP camera could well outperform a 10MP camera of equal sensor size. eg, my dads 4.2mp camera took slightly better images than my old 6mp camera, especially in low light.


and the 5MP camerra can easily take images that will print out fine on A4 ( and possibly bigger, so although you can print huge posters using a 10MP image, if its low quality whats the point.
As your looking at bridge cameras, all the cameras in that range would have tiny sensors, so defo look at image quality on flickr.

the same applies to lens's, but having used some of these bridge cameras i can vouch that at full zoom they are not half bad(panasonic anyway). sure they are not canon L grade lens's but they are more than usable.

Ricky91t

Thought ill post a pic to show the s100fs's size!:eek:


Thats a shot as iso 10000

LisaO

Thanks again guys. Think I follow what you mean re: pixels & zoom. I suppose what you are aiming for in a bridge camera is the best balance of all the influencing factors - sensor, pixels, zoom, etc. From reading reviews, etc, it would seem that some of the new ultrazoom cameras are really pushing the limits and in some ways coming up short of their more rounded predecessors.

I'm leaning heavily towards Fuji S9600 now. Price seems very competitive and reviews are pretty good. TBH if I was spending money on likes of s100fs I should really go the bit extra for entry-level SLR. Whereas I could get
S9600 now for around €270 and then maybe move up to SLR in couple of years if I feel ready.