I wanna buy a "Bridge" Camera (min 10x Optical Zoom)

suzi_69

Hi All,

I'm after some advice! DH is looking at blowing his Xmas money on a new camera. He wants one with a decent optical zoom (he's telling me he wants a minimum of 10x zoom).

He doesn't want to make the leap from a digital to an SLR, so he's looking at "Bridge" camera (this is what he's telling me they are called, please excuse my ignorance!!)

The ones that seem to be what he's after are either the Fuji S1000 or Panasonic TZ5 - do any of you who know about cameras suggest which one to buy or anything better? His limit is £150 (or thereabouts). Also, any ideas where to get the best bargains?

TIA

Suzi

bcl999

I've had 3 Panasonic cameras (one was the TZ1 - predecessor to TZ5) and always been happy with them. On the other hand, I've twice bought Fuji cameras from their on-line shop and returned them both times as I wasn't impressed.

I don't think he'd get a TZ5 for £150 - maybe the TZ4 which is similar but has a smaller LCD and doesn't do HD video.

alanobrien

Your talking about the Panasonic Lumix (if you mean the TV advert)
On paper this is a great camera, compact, 10x zoom with wide angle, 9.1 Mega pixel, 3" LCD display and a Leica lense with fully automatic or manual modes.

I have had mine for about a year. The original auto mode was quite poor and a firmware update was made available to improve it which it did -a little but not enough imho. I am sure that in the hands of someone who knows there way around cameras (i.e. not me ) it may give some great shots but as yet i have still to see one

On the other hand my old casio exilim 4.1 megapixel has given consistantly excellent shots over the years especially in macro mode. I haven't given up on the panasonic, just not impressed with the output for the price compared to the little exilim thats all.

[Deleted User]

The TZ5 isn't a bridge camera. it's a point-and-shoot with a big lens.

A bridge camera will allow you to shoot in various 'priority' modes (shutter, aperture..) to give you creative control over the shots you take. A P&S often doesn't give you this facility.

These are bridge cameras:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2008/10/24/Fujifilm-FinePix-S2000HD/p1
http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2008/08/22/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ28/p1

£150 isn't a great budget for a bridge camera, to be honest. They generally come in between £200-300. However, there are some options still. Here's some from Amazon (always a good place to view cameras) -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-FinePix-S1000fd-Digital-Camera/dp/B00152A06G/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233486014&sr=1-9
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-FinePix-S8100fd-Digital-Camera/dp/B00152A066/ref=sr_1_49?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233486049&sr=1-49

Personally.. i'd go for the Canon - look around for prices near your budget
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-PowerShot-SX110-Digital-Camera/dp/B001EO750O/ref=sr_1_79?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1233486104&sr=1-79

suzi_69

Thanks for taking the time to reply, guys. Its much appreciated.:T

I'm glad you even understood my post, cos I'm totally baffled by the terminology! I'm going to make OH read your replies & the accompanying links, then he can choose what to go for.

I think I might offer to put some money to his camera, for an early Valentines prezzie, then he might shut up about them & I don't have to wrack my brains thinking of an imaginitive present this year! Two birds killed with one stone! :rotfl:

Thanks again!

S x

northern_munky

I have a Fuji S5800, was £100 from Argos last summer. It got a really good review on the Trusted Reviews site posted above, 10X optical zoom and full manual control when you need it. I love it, the photos are good quality and its easy to use.

gentlepurr

Ive just brought this camera:D : (18 x optical zoom, 10mp, continous shooting etc)

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/74297/Show.html?SkuId=74297&tduid=8d5a026b7532f0c3d73fd9998e01ed0d&url=http://www.jessops.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?SkuId=74297

My second fuji, and im really pleased with it. Have to say though, mine was cheaper than this link, will have a search now and find the link, mine was just short of £140 inc p&p

xx

Edit: heres the link

https://secure.fujifilm.co.uk/shop/consumer/digital/digital-cameras/d-slr-long-zoom/finepix-s8100fd-119771?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=s8100fd

Its from the fuji site, and although its sold as a refurb, a card in the box states "Refurbished cameras are returned to fujifilm by retailers and, in the vast majority of cases, have never been used" I have to say that mine looks brand new, as has every other refurbished item ive ever bought (mobile phone, i-pod etc)