Bridge camera or Nikon1 for my wife?

vectra

my wife wants to go beyond a pocket camers and was looking at something like the Nikon1. I notice there are 2 types. One reasonable and one expensive enough.

She also looked at some bridge Cameras recently in Sam Mccaulys that she liked.
Are the new bridge cameras much better than the Pocket ones?

Something like this
http://www.sammccauley.com/Product/Fuji-Finepix-S4500-Superzoom-Camera/17825/2231.0




Any other suggestions?

cnocbui

Nikon is trying to capitalise on the Success of Olympus and Panasonic's micro 4/3 mirrorless system with the one. I would look at micro 4/3 cameras as the system is way more mature than Nikon's effort and there is a very wide range of lenses Nikon won't be able to match for years - if ever.

You could look at cameras like the new Olympus Pen EPl-5, or OM-D EM-5

vectra

cnocbui wrote: »

You could look at cameras like the new Olympus Pen EPl-5, or OM-D EM-5

Thanks but they would be way over budget for her :eek:

cnocbui

Panasonic G3 is cheaper than the Nikon 1:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DMC-GF3-Compact-14-42mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B0057LZHBE/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1353098153&sr=8-6

and is an affordable entry point to the m4/3 system.

pearljamfan

i heard the nikon is crap, havent looked into it properly tho!! i can highly recommend a panasonic like the gf1, compact and takes great pics, prob get a second hand one fairly cheap by now, i think its the best out of the gf series.

vectra

Thanks for the replies but she really doesn't want to go that sort of money.
She was looking at something like these as well
http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10152&langId=111&q=BRIDGE+CAMERA&pp=20&s=Relevance&r_001=1|Colour|Red|1


Would they be any better than the pocket one's she uses now?
She would go maybe €100 or so more but not to the cost of those ones. She also will only buy new.

Thanks for your time guys

cnocbui

Those things have small sensors and slow zooms with over-enthusiastic zoom ranges. I think your wife needs to be in the 'enthusiasts compact' market.

Cameras like the Olympus XZ-1, Panasonic LX5. These are the real 'bridge' between compacts and DSLR/mirrorless cameras.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-XZ-1-Digital-Camera-i-Zuiko/dp/B004G8QSTO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353147114&sr=8-2

Review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/OlympusXZ1/

Hogzy

cnocbui wrote: »

Those things have small sensors and slow zooms with over-enthusiastic zoom ranges. I think your wife needs to be in the 'enthusiasts compact' market.

Cameras like the Olympus XZ-1, Panasonic LX5. These are the real 'bridge' between compacts and DSLR/mirrorless cameras.

I couldn't agree more with this. There isn't much point buying a cheap bridge camera when all they will do is add bulk and weight. You'd get much better compacts for a small bit more money.

vectra

cnocbui wrote: »

Those things have small sensors and slow zooms with over-enthusiastic zoom ranges. I think your wife needs to be in the 'enthusiasts compact' market.

Cameras like the Olympus XZ-1, Panasonic LX5. These are the real 'bridge' between compacts and DSLR/mirrorless cameras.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-XZ-1-Digital-Camera-i-Zuiko/dp/B004G8QSTO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353147114&sr=8-2

Review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/OlympusXZ1/

That sounds just perfect.

Million Thanks

vectra

Has anyone dealt with this company before?

http://www.simplyelectronics.net

Thanks

Hogzy

vectra wrote: »

Has anyone dealt with this company before?

http://www.simplyelectronics.net

Thanks

Hit or miss, iv heard a lot of bad reports and good reports. Chances are you'll get a grey market import so warranty issues may cause problems down the line. Have a look at amazon.co.uk

If I were you I'd hold off for the next week or two and see what sort of deals emerge. Amazon is having a week of sales next week so hold off for that

vectra

Still suggesting cameras for her..
She has a funny way of choosing things, I suppose like all women. if it looks nice it must be good

Any views on this one for her?

http://www.canon.ie/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_Camera/PowerShot/PowerShot_SX260_HS/

Hogzy

vectra wrote: »

Still suggesting cameras for her..
She has a funny way of choosing things, I suppose like all women. if it looks nice it must be good

Any views on this one for her?

http://www.canon.ie/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_Camera/PowerShot/PowerShot_SX260_HS/

dpreview

vectra

Never went ahead with this as she wanted to look around.
She likes this one as suggested above.
Is this a good price or does anyone know of it being cheaper anywhere?

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/8844626/art/olympus/xz-1-white.html

Thanks

Hogzy

That is a fairly good price but I would pay the extra €30 and buy from Amazon.co.uk

Pixmania have an awful reputation for their customer support. If something goes wrong expect absolutly no help from them. Its up to you but I would NEVER again purchase anything from Pixmania.