Camera (Bridge)

Equaliser123

Hi there

Any advice on a decent bridge (i.e. DSLR-style - but no changeable lenses) camera?

Looking for something fairly easy to use to take some nice pictures of our newborn. Our compacts just don't seem up to the job.

Looking at the Fuji S2000HD or similar. Looking to spend up to £250.

Many thanks!

fwor

The higher-end Fujis seem to be well regarded, but the one that seems to widely get excellent reviews is the Panasonic DMC-FZ38, which is at the top end of your budget.

The only thing that spoils it for me is that I was told on this forum a while ago that Panasonic build circuitry into the camera and battery that stops you using non-original batteries. If that is true (nobody was able to confirm for sure) then I would not buy the Panasonic, as the price of spare original batteries is (IMO) a ripoff.

gwyne

The best compact SLR quality camera I've used is the Olympus PEN
http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/pen_start.htm Might be more expensive than £250 though

Farway

You may also like to consider the Fuji S1500

https://secure.fujifilm.co.uk/shop/consumer/digital/digital-cameras/d-slr-long-zoom/finepix-s1500 refurbed at around £103, or new in ASDA at £127

Has good zoom & is small enough to slip in pocket

Not got one [have Fuji S7000] but may just splash out if offer arrives

Firewallrob

You may find bridge/point n shoots too slow for fast action children (even 3 months plus kick fast ).....unless you are outdoors with lots of sun.

Less light means either slower shutter speed (blurred photos), a narrow aperture, or high ISO (unusable on non SLR's).

If you are the sort of person that finds point n shoots "not upto the job", you may find "bridges" have the same problem.

Why not get a 2nd hand SLR and put a single lens on it.

I have had goes on Casio/Olympus/Fuji/Sony bridges and they are all WAY TOO SLOW.

Forget the megapixels, as the bridge sensors are too small to accomodate.

An 8mp SLR like Canon 20D will give you 5 frames a second and good at 800/1600 ISO if shot properly (even 3200 in an emergency).

Lots of people will no doubt love their bridge cameras - but they are not for me. Definately try one first before you buy, and don't go spending several hundreds on the latest SLR's either.

ukcarper

Are the new bridge cameras any faster now. The reason I traded up to a dslr was because it was much quicker to respond when I pressed the shutter, but that was 3 years ago. The main reason for missing good shots of kids is that by the time the shutter has fired they have moved so I think it is well worth going to a good camera shop and seeing how quick the newer bridge cameras are.

HoofeHearted

Have a look here for comparisons of shutter lag.:j

Firewallrob

Cool site - remember though that shutter lag is only a part of the problem. It's the shutter speed - and for a bridge camera at 400mm (or even 150 (with these silly superzooms)), you will either get a blurred photo (even with Image stability) or a daft high ISO.

Unless all of your pics are outside in summer

Also the flash will result in a "rabbit in the headlights" shot.

As for manual settings ........

Equaliser123

Thanks all. Slightly against a DSLR as I think it will be a) too expensive and b) too complex for me - I don't want the hassle of different lenses.

I do like the Fuji although not sure I can see a heck a lot of difference between the s1500 and s2000. Seems great value but almost a bit too cheap if that makes sense?

Will also take a look at the Panasonic.

Equaliser123

Anyone got a s1500 or s2000?

redbeard2000

You'll find lots of reviews on Amazon (from users like you) and dpreview(dot)com (from the tech wizards) if you've already narrowed your choices.

Cameras are not nearly as sensitive as our eyes. We can sit and read a book by candlelight, but most cameras would recognise how dim the situation is and be unable to focus. It takes a big lens to soak up more light, plus the power to control the shutter speed to help in these situations.

More complex cameras can also offer you the opportunity to control the brightness of the flash for less glare, or even when it fires (a flash that fires towards the end of the shot allows you to see more of the background).

It might be worth investing in a bright, frosted bulb as ordinary household lamps aren't up to the task. Look for ones that are the colour of daylight for a natural light. Bounce the light off the wall or ceiling.

Look for situations where there is soft but abundant light. Try sitting the baby in a white bathtub, for instance.

The best light of all is natural window light, as long as it's not direct (say, a north-facing window or one with a heavy net curtain or even white shower curtain drawn over it). Then bounce more light into the scene with something white or reflective (tinfoil works) to give some detail to the shadows.