Beginner Bridge Camera Question

Robotack

Hi Folks. I hope you can point me in the right direction on this one!

I've been using compact digital camera's for years but I'm recently being drawn in by the bridge camera market as time and again I crave more zoom. I previously went Sony all the way on high end compacts but this time I want to keep cost down a little lower. Plus I'm totally out of touch!!!

I've been just browsing some options in the €180 to €250 price range and they all run on AA batteries. Is that a major drawback?.. I havent had AA's in a camera in 10 years.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Plus a little over budget might work as I can try pick it up cheaper in the States.

AnCatDubh

I've AA's in a dSLR which i'm still using about 5 years later (a second dSLR). No problems at all with them. Used it today actually.

I use high powered AA batteries (2500mah) which helps and use a 15 minute charger which stuffs them full in 15 minutes flat (whoop!). Now bear in mind that the dSLR is mainly optical so i'm not chewing up battery juice with on screen display while waiting to shoot an image so i'm guessing that helps too. Not sure your bridge will be the same or will be using on screen display.

I'd always carry spare batteries but rarely need them.

I've heard reports that voltage can be an issue with some cameras as the rechargeable AA(s) IIRC are 1.2 volts as opposed to 1.4 volts. I've never had any problem with them but it'd be worth a google with whatever brand/model that you may be intending to purchase.

Robotack

Thanks! Any suggestions re: the make / model to go for?

Robotack

No one can help a beginner. Cheers!

zero19

I've got a Fuji HS20, previously I had an S5800, both good cameras. Panasonic Lumix cameras are held in high regard also.

Have a look at reviews here http://www.dpreview.com/

Robotack

Thanks for that!

AnCatDubh

Uniross 15 minute charger and batteries. Panasonic batteries are good too in my experience

Robotack

So basically, AA batteries does not rule them into the low end / budget sector. Pretty much every camera that fits into my price range is AA so I'm wondering if it's worth pushing myself the extra 50-100 quid to get Li-Ion??

vic20

Can't comment on camera choice but one point I can make about batteries is that if you have something that runs on AAs you can just throw in new ones when you run out of juice. If you get a camera with a custom battery you'll either have to make sure you're fully charged before you go out or purchase a (probably expensive) spare.

Robotack wrote: »

So basically, AA batteries does not rule them into the low end / budget sector. Pretty much every camera that fits into my price range is AA so I'm wondering if it's worth pushing myself the extra 50-100 quid to get Li-Ion??

AnCatDubh

Robotack wrote: »

So basically, AA batteries does not rule them into the low end / budget sector. Pretty much every camera that fits into my price range is AA so I'm wondering if it's worth pushing myself the extra 50-100 quid to get Li-Ion??

I'd be more concerned with the camera specs themselves than the fact that they run on AA or some kind of proprietary battery. Check dpreview for the specific cameras which you are reviewing and see what is said about them.

Google for sample images and check out the flickr search for your specific camera models. See if there is any chatter about battery issues.

You are correct to be concerned. Unrelated; I have a Samsung Galaxy Android phone which has the most horrendous proprietary battery that was ever made. Turn on wifi, use gps, update from the play store and watch your batter trickle away. I wish I could just stick a spare set of AA's into it ...... So imho, your purchasing decision should be based much more around what you want the camera to do for you - for example, its performance under low light conditions, ISO handling, image quality, etc... Yes, by all means, include battery considerations but based on evidence of owners of such cameras.

AnCatDubh

Robotack wrote: »

So basically, AA batteries does not rule them into the low end / budget sector. Pretty much every camera that fits into my price range is AA so I'm wondering if it's worth pushing myself the extra 50-100 quid to get Li-Ion??

Oh, and just thinking, my dSLR (5 year old) referred to above which runs with AA rechargeables is an entry level dSLR. But boy did that minor fact matter nothing to me when I bought it. Sure, I upgrades a while later to something which doesn't use AA batteries, but AA batteries never came into my upgrade reasoning.

Robotack

Ah now this is good stuff. I appreciate the help!... Am I better off to wait until I'm in the US again from a price point of view?

I did that the last time (5 yrs ago) and saved a lot.. But it was a €400 sony compact I bought.

Now that I'm looking at the €180 to €250 bracket, I'm wondering if I should just get it here and have the warranty on more doorstep since it is relatively small money??