Please recommend bridge camera


happily1986

New Member
Mar 11, 2011
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Hi thanks for coming in,

I would like to seek your earnest advice with regards to a bridge camera. This may sound weird but i am an owner of what i believe is a bridge camera (pardon me if i am wrong), the SX200IS

Having owned this camera for 2 years and counting, i feel that i am ready to move on to a better camera because i am beginning to grapple with its limitations.

The problem is that conventional wisdom dictates that i should opt for an entry level DSLR e.g. while the prudent alter ego within me says that i should just stick to a bridge camera. My reasons for the latter is very well summed up from the excerpts in the following article.

From http://www.photographymonthly.com/camerafinder/bridge
Bridge models slot inbetween digital compacts and DSLRs by offering the finer points of both genres. This makes them ideal for photographers who like the simplicity of a compact camera, although occasionally find it rather restrictive in terms of lens range and picture taking features, but don't want to make the leap to a full-blown DSLR. The models in this category, then, offer a 'bridge' between the two camps. Clever, eh?!

In most cases, a bridge camera also represents the middle ground in terms of physical size and handling ergonomics. Whereas a compact is largely about sleekness and pocketability, a bridge camera is typically a more sculptured affair with a chunky handgrip, sizeable rear LCD and large buttons that make function setting easier. While you could never describe a bridge camera as large, you'll certainly need to trade up a size or two in bags if you're currently a compact user.

Lenses on bridge cameras are fixed, but offer a whopping zoom range, so it's unlikely that you'll be left wanting when it comes to taking pictures. A typical zoom range will enable you to tackle everything from landscapes at the wide-angle end through to tame wildlife and sporting action at the telephoto end. They also focus reasonably close, so you'll be able to tackle some macro shots too. While having a fixed lens may be seen by some as a disadvantage (if you do, a DSLR is more your bag), it does mean that you'll never have any problems with dust getting on to the sensor and spoiling your shots.

I currently have my eyes on the SX30IS for i am unabashedly an ardent Canon fan. But that doesn't mean i am closed to other worthy choices. The problem is that i have read that the lens of the mega zoom models in Canon PnS are found to be lacking in quality and i have also found to my dismay that the sensor size is exactly the same as that in my current camera.

Sorry for having writen so much, please do leave some written comments. thank you very much.:)

P.S. Budget should be 750 tops else the price will really justify getting a DSLR.
 

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What are you needs?
What do you shoot mostly?
What do you want to shoot in the future?

It is hard to give advice if all we see is a budget but with no indication of the objectives you are trying to achieve.
 

Fujifilm HS20 EXR an upgrade to HS10 which received good reviews, now coupled with EXR processor it might be worth to take a look.
 

Fujifilm HS20 EXR an upgrade to HS10 which received good reviews, now coupled with EXR processor it might be worth to take a look.
 

Fujifilm HS20EXR. Otherwise can get HS10 2nd hand at ard $400.
 

Fujifilm HS20EXR. Otherwise can get HS10 2nd hand at ard $400.
 

What are you needs?
What do you shoot mostly?
What do you want to shoot in the future?

It is hard to give advice if all we see is a budget but with no indication of the objectives you are trying to achieve.

I understand your point. I do not wish to base my requirement by the sort of photography i do e.g. macro or still etc etc. Actually my i see my needs as being adequately summed up by what i written, within the quotes. I don't see myself as having any specific requirement. I can be going to the bird park and having the need to have a mega zoom and the next day turn up for some gathering where ease of handling and ergonomics is priority. It is based on this hence i think a bridge camera is best suited for my needs. Else not, i will need to have quite a few lenses if i get a DSLR.

I got an idiosyncracy. Nowadays we see any tom dick or harry carting around a DSLR. But i still rever the DSLR as semi-divine. I still consider myself not eligible still, to be seen handling a DSLR. This is stupid but i believe in upgrading my skills in steady transition till i am there. Am i crazy?
 

Best that you remain where you're until you feel the need to upgrade to DSLR.
Still can keep the bridge camera while you try your hand at DSLR with kit lens 2nd hand.
 

I understand your point. I do not wish to base my requirement by the sort of photography i do e.g. macro or still etc etc. Actually my i see my needs as being adequately summed up by what i written, within the quotes. I don't see myself as having any specific requirement. I can be going to the bird park and having the need to have a mega zoom and the next day turn up for some gathering where ease of handling and ergonomics is priority. It is based on this hence i think a bridge camera is best suited for my needs. Else not, i will need to have quite a few lenses if i get a DSLR.

I got an idiosyncracy. Nowadays we see any tom dick or harry carting around a DSLR. But i still rever the DSLR as semi-divine. I still consider myself not eligible still, to be seen handling a DSLR. This is stupid but i believe in upgrading my skills in steady transition till i am there. Am i crazy?

I always thought so too. Then got poisoned by the speed and optical viewfinder when using a friend's camera. From then on my wallet has been on a slimming program. ;)
 

Best that you remain where you're until you feel the need to upgrade to DSLR.
Still can keep the bridge camera while you try your hand at DSLR with kit lens 2nd hand.

Do you think it is stupid to change from SX200IS to SX30IS? Like maybe no point or something given that the sensor is still same size (and i assume the same kind) although maybe the DIGIC processor is better.
 

No offence but 1 year ago i was testing this particular bridge camera from fujifilm and i got a shock because the apparent sensor quality is worst off than a Fujifilm PnS on display. You should see the the apparent difference in noise. True enough when i asked, the bridge camera's photosensor not as good as that particular PnS. Sorry but i forgot the model name liao. But it was a very negative experience you see.
 

No offence but 1 year ago i was testing this particular bridge camera from fujifilm and i got a shock because the apparent sensor quality is worst off than a Fujifilm PnS on display. You should see the the apparent difference in noise. True enough when i asked, the bridge camera's photosensor not as good as that particular PnS. Sorry but i forgot the model name liao. But it was a very negative experience you see.

hmm the HS10 was a disappointment. even the F200 was much better.

but the HS20 might be even better
 

happily1986 said:
Hi thanks for coming in,


I currently have my eyes on the SX30IS for i am unabashedly an ardent Canon fan. But that doesn't mean i am closed to other worthy choices. The problem is that i have read that the lens of the mega zoom models in Canon PnS are found to be lacking in quality and i have also found to my dismay that the sensor size is exactly the same as that in my current camera.

Sorry for having writen so much, please do leave some written comments. thank you very much.:)

P.S. Budget should be 750 tops else the price will really justify getting a DSLR.


On your thinking about a sx30is... I bought mine in Dec and that has really potent poison embedded in it. Love the super zoom that comes with it.

With that said.. I find myself becoming increasingly frustrated by it as well especially when it comes to playing with dof (big fan).. and hence with finally got a 60d about a month back..

What I really want to say is how deep are you into this.. do you foresee yourself going further in this or you are satisfied with pns?

Note: am currently paying a painful price for jumping into a dslr and cursing and swearing at myself for it (but that's another story)..
 

I understand your point. I do not wish to base my requirement by the sort of photography i do e.g. macro or still etc etc. Actually my i see my needs as being adequately summed up by what i written, within the quotes. I don't see myself as having any specific requirement. I can be going to the bird park and having the need to have a mega zoom and the next day turn up for some gathering where ease of handling and ergonomics is priority. It is based on this hence i think a bridge camera is best suited for my needs. Else not, i will need to have quite a few lenses if i get a DSLR.

I got an idiosyncracy. Nowadays we see any tom dick or harry carting around a DSLR. But i still rever the DSLR as semi-divine. I still consider myself not eligible still, to be seen handling a DSLR. This is stupid but i believe in upgrading my skills in steady transition till i am there. Am i crazy?

Nope, not crazy. Took me 3-4 years on a couple of prosumer super zooms before I went to DSLR. That said, I regretted not going to DSLR earlier.

Thing is, if you do a lot of different kind of photography, DSLR can do it better, just that it will be more expensive. In the end, why bother with what others think and do? If a camera system meets you need, just go for it.

But in the end, a bridge camera can still produce amazing pictures. Just that the DSLR as a tool will give you better performance in terms of ISO performance, resolution, speed of operation, and thinner DOF when needed. No need to over think it and treat DSLRs as sacred. Use whatever tool that helps you get the job done. Once you are on DSLR, you can revere other camera systems, like the medium format digi cams. ;P
 

On your thinking about a sx30is... I bought mine in Dec and that has really potent poison embedded in it. Love the super zoom that comes with it.

With that said.. I find myself becoming increasingly frustrated by it as well especially when it comes to playing with dof (big fan).. and hence with finally got a 60d about a month back..

What I really want to say is how deep are you into this.. do you foresee yourself going further in this or you are satisfied with pns?

Note: am currently paying a painful price for jumping into a dslr and cursing and swearing at myself for it (but that's another story)..

i value your comment especially when it is coming from someone who is currently having a SX30IS. I am just curious. What sort of stuff do you dabble in with DoF? Well, i do see myself as a photography enthusiast. I am very passionate about photography. Though i am not prolific, but i think it is still okay to describe myself as a serious amateur. I don't have any focused aims though, purely explorative to make my learning journey as expansive as possible though sometimes i do ask a few of my friends out on trips with themes in mind like e.g. night shoots etc etc. That being said, i don't think i will see myself giving up on photography in the near future.

Nope, not crazy. Took me 3-4 years on a couple of prosumer super zooms before I went to DSLR. That said, I regretted not going to DSLR earlier.

Thing is, if you do a lot of different kind of photography, DSLR can do it better, just that it will be more expensive. In the end, why bother with what others think and do? If a camera system meets you need, just go for it.

But in the end, a bridge camera can still produce amazing pictures. Just that the DSLR as a tool will give you better performance in terms of ISO performance, resolution, speed of operation, and thinner DOF when needed. No need to over think it and treat DSLRs as sacred. Use whatever tool that helps you get the job done. Once you are on DSLR, you can revere other camera systems, like the medium format digi cams. ;P

you struck the nail in my head! that's exactly the dilemma i am having! Going from a bridge camera to another seems like a parallel transition and not an upgrade why not a DSLR? Going to DSLR but then again i am hesitant of taking this quantum leap. Damned if i am, damned if i am not haha.

you know i am the sort who bring the camera wherever i go like even going out on a routine dinner date, to the beach, family gathering etc. Do you actually lug around the beast (DSLR) everywhere? Seems siong!

But something i am very sure is if i really intend to go into photography, i might just take a leap of faith and get a second hand 30d or something.
 

you struck the nail in my head! that's exactly the dilemma i am having! Going from a bridge camera to another seems like a parallel transition and not an upgrade why not a DSLR? Going to DSLR but then again i am hesitant of taking this quantum leap. Damned if i am, damned if i am not haha.

you know i am the sort who bring the camera wherever i go like even going out on a routine dinner date, to the beach, family gathering etc. Do you actually lug around the beast (DSLR) everywhere? Seems siong!

But something i am very sure is if i really intend to go into photography, i might just take a leap of faith and get a second hand 30d or something.

Just a note... My last bridge camera was a Fuji S9500. It is actually larger than a D40x with kit lens. ;)
 

cialat man. so hard to decide. :/
 

Hi happily1986,

I am in that situation about 5-6 months back. I bought a panasonic FZ100, the specification and pictures were rated good to me. The Zoom was fantastic 24x, HD video recording etc and I have a lot of fun initially. I thought I would have stick to this camera for at least 1 to 2 year before changing to DSLR as I wanted a "bridging" camera then, learning how to do some manual setting etc. After a few months (about 3 months), I have decided to change to DSLR (D7000), my first ever DSLR, due to lack of manual function (like DOF etc), slow in focusing during low light.

Just my 2 cents worth of thought, go for a decent DSLR if you are thinking of switching to DSLR later on. If not, a prosumer (so called bridging camera) would be sufficient.
 

i value your comment especially when it is coming from someone who is currently having a SX30IS. I am just curious. What sort of stuff do you dabble in with DoF? Well, i do see myself as a photography enthusiast. I am very passionate about photography. Though i am not prolific, but i think it is still okay to describe myself as a serious amateur. I don't have any focused aims though, purely explorative to make my learning journey as expansive as possible though sometimes i do ask a few of my friends out on trips with themes in mind like e.g. night shoots etc etc. That being said, i don't think i will see myself giving up on photography in the near future.

i take alot of shots of ppl and children, and having a flexibility to play with the dof really helps to bring out the subject in focus, rather than the subject and the background appearing at the same sharpness. That was a big problem when I was using the sx30is.. it's very hard to blur the background unless the subject is on the far end of the camera zoom..