Trying to decide on a Bridge Camera.

dfdream

All,

Sorry if this isnt the place to ask this question.

Im looking at getting a new digital camera with something a higher spec than point and shoot.

I need

Good colour reproduction
Good image stabilization
Long optical zoom
3-4 full shots a second
tiltable display
popup flash - good low light portraits
HD video would be nice


I have reviewed these on the web

Nikon P100 - Saw this in Harvey Normans - has nice feel to it
Panasonic Lumix DMC-fz38/45/100
SONY Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Fuji Finepix HS10

But from the web sites contradict each other.

Has anyone knowledge of the above and what I should look at.

Or is there a shop that would have a good selection of these to compare.

D

davmigil

www.dpreview.com

charybdis

Do not buy a bridge camera. Buy a DSLR. If cost is an issue, buy a second hand DSLR. There are no bad DSLRs, they're all fine and the kit lenses are adequate for most uses in which a bridge camera would be similarly useful. If you don't want to buy a camera with a kit lens, get any Nikon DSLR and a Nikon 35mm f/1.8.

Good colour reproduction is dependent on white balance which is much easier to adjust and set when post processing using high bit-depth files like the raw files generated by a DSLR.
You don't need image stabilisation if you have a fast lens or a better sensor than a bridge camera.
You don't need long optical zoom, particularly not the kind a bridge camera will give you.
Pretty much every DSLR will shoot 3-4 FPS.
The Nikon D5000 has an articulating display.
You certainly don't want to ever use a pop-up flash for portraits (even though every low-end DSLR has one), a fast lens and better sensor performance will allow you to take photographs in low light.
The Nikon D5000 can capture HD video.

Seriously, don't buy a bridge camera. Save a little longer and get a Nikon D5000, then a little while later when you have a little more money to spare, buy a Nikon 35mm f/1.8.

davmigil

What about a micro 4/3 camera or a sony Nex?

Mike Litoris

Jesus dont waste money on a bridge camera. For a small few bob more you can get an entry level DSLR with a kit lense or a decent second hand kit. It will be a whole lot more camera than a bridge.

Micro 4/3 might be a bit pricey.

CabanSail

If you want a Bridge Camera then get a Bridge Camera. If you want to get the most out of it then choose a model which will shoot in RAW. This way you will get a lot more control over your images. IMO a high end Bridge Camera gives you a lot more bang for buck than an entry level DSLR with Kit Lens. Sure there are always compromises, but if you will only be sticking with the Kit Lens then the Bridge is often the better way to go. The down side is that you do have a physically smaller sensor so that will have impacts on shooting in low light and DOF. The up side is that in a Bridge it's all there in a small package.

Looking at your wish list maybe the Canon G11 is worth looking at. Not sure it will do the 3 - 4 fps but I have not checked.