Affordable DSLR camera

lawrie28

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Just been reading about the HS20 as the wife wants a DSLR for xmas. My mum has the fuji S2950 which I was pretty impressed with for £99 so I've been looking at bridge cameras as she may find it more suitable than a fully fledged DSLR, but reviews of the HS20 have really put me off.

Which reviews, and what have they said?

I know there was some issues with overheating in the early reviews, but this has been sorted now.

I now that it will stretch image quality at its limits - at the biggest zoom - but having had and used its predeccessors have found them to be a great series of cameras.

I also tend to find that with the reviews of this type of camera people forget that it is not a dslr, it is a bridge camera, so will not be quite at the same level as a bridge camera.

kwikbreaks

ukcarper wrote: »

I’m not sure that’s the case I general set my dslr to programmed mode but it does have a full auto mode. I find it much easier to get good pictures of my grand children with the dslr than with any other camera I have used.

You'll certainly get technically much better quality pictures but a DSLR is a lot less convenient to tote around than a compact.

I've been looking at the likes of the Lumix GF2 to replace my Canon 400D because I'm taking most of my snaps with a Casio compact these days which you can pop in your pocket rather than carry a bag full of lenses and the camera around.

gonzo127

i am also thinking a DSLR might be a bit overkill for someone who has had the same camera for 10 years, and think a good bridge camera will potentially be a better bet

as well as the HS series i would recommend looking at the panisonic fz45 which can currently be got for under £250 so would have some left over money for a good memory card and bag

jaydeeuk1

lawrie28 wrote: »

Which reviews, and what have they said?

I know there was some issues with overheating in the early reviews, but this has been sorted now.

This one the most damning, 2 stars out of 5, and quite a comprehensive test. Image quality seems the biggest issue.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/digital-slrs-hybrids/fuji-finepix-hs20-955473/review?artc_pg=2

Another one claims image quality isn't that good for the price

http://www.trustedreviews.com/Fujifilm-HS20-EXR-review_Digital-Camera_review

The sites that give it a good rating seem to only give a basic test and not really push the features. Shame, as on paper it looks an awesome device. Granted that at the time the RRP was nearer £400, just a bit disappointing that the picture quality and LCD get a bit of a slating, and they're the two things my wife would be looking for.

Fair enough, you can't really compare an SLR to a bridge camera, but the same sites love the nikon d3000 so I reckon we'll go for that one.

ukcarper

kwikbreaks wrote: »

You'll certainly get technically much better quality pictures but a DSLR is a lot less convenient to tote around than a compact.

I've been looking at the likes of the Lumix GF2 to replace my Canon 400D because I'm taking most of my snaps with a Casio compact these days which you can pop in your pocket rather than carry a bag full of lenses and the camera around.

I've bought a Lumix compact for the same reason but sometimes its very hard to see screen in bright conditions and even though the shutter lag times on paper are short I still find my dslr quicker and miss less shots of the grandchildren with it. But as you say a dslr is bulky and if you haven’t got your camera with you, you won’t get any pictures.

lawrie28

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

This one the most damning, 2 stars out of 5, and quite a comprehensive test. Image quality seems the biggest issue.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/digital-slrs-hybrids/fuji-finepix-hs20-955473/review?artc_pg=2

Another one claims image quality isn't that good for the price

http://www.trustedreviews.com/Fujifilm-HS20-EXR-review_Digital-Camera_review

The sites that give it a good rating seem to only give a basic test and not really push the features. Shame, as on paper it looks an awesome device. Granted that at the time the RRP was nearer £400, just a bit disappointing that the picture quality and LCD get a bit of a slating, and they're the two things my wife would be looking for.

Fair enough, you can't really compare an SLR to a bridge camera, but the same sites love the nikon d3000 so I reckon we'll go for that one.

I would go to a shop, like jessops and have a play with both cameras.

THe criticism your putting on the HS20 is that the LCD, whilst being really flexible in landscape mode as it moves around lots, in portrait mode this is not so moveable. Bear in mind that in most cameras, the LCD screen is fixed, so whilst it is not as good as the top of the range flip out screen, it's still better than any other camera with a fixed screen.

Pictures quality - well they say its compared to price and it may well be. Bearing in mind that the camera is much cheaper now, your getting more bang for your buck.

However, you have to ask yourself how often do you look at a picture when it has been blown up, or whether your more bothered about the people in the picture?

If you want to buy the Nikon, then your have to realise your investing in a system, and to get the best out of that system you will be spending lots of money on extra lens and accessories.

THe FUji is a one purchase does all solution, yes with some sacrifices. But you get lots of extras, like HD video etc.

Go to a shop, try them and then decide!

you might find that you don;t like the feel of either or them in your hand!

Lil306

kwikbreaks wrote: »

Just a question...

Why a DSLR?

DSLRs are both expensive and rather big compared to even big compacts. I suspect a DSLR in the hands of someone who hasn't changed their camera in 10 years is going to spend a lot more time in it's increasingly dusty bag than it ever is taking pictures. They can all take point and click pictures these days but they are aimed at enthusiasts and unless your husband has suggested he'd like a DSLR specifically he doesn't really sound like one.

Yep, I've got a DSL gathering dust too (Pentax K-x) but I'm amateur photographer

I really like using my Fuji Finepix though. Focuses really quick and gives some good quality photos. I never leave without it

FUNKYDADDIO

Hi Guys,
I have just come back from holiday and have decided to change my camera. I would like to move to the next level from my point and click camera which I have always used (samsung es55). From reading this thread and some reviews I am now doubting whether or not a DSLR would be the right step. I basically need some advice as to what products there are between the two. i.e. what is a bridging camera and how much are they? I would ultimately like to be abel to have more options when taking photos which would lead to better quality pictures when on holidays and at family events, casual usage nothing serious. I have about £200 of tesco vouchers but would ideally not like to spend £400 in jessops if possible. Many thanks in advance......Paul

gonzo127

basically
DSLR
pros
- best quality photos (if you are serious about photography this is what you need)
- massive choice (can change lens to suite your need)
- fast response
cons
- is generally expensive (have to buy multiple lenses)
- have to carry a lot of stuff (have to carry all your lenses)
- generally big and bulky

Bridge Camera
pros
- can be gotten pretty cheap
- can get massive zoom from one lens
- usually comes with a full range of manual controls to allow you to get more out of your photos as you learn
cons
- not usualy 'pocket' size (although smaller than a DSLR you will generally have to carry it seperatly)
- you can not change the lens so once you have reached the limit of the camera you are stuck
- pictures are good, but there will be compromises compared to a DSLR

anyways just going very roughly on your post you dont seem to know massive amounts about photography therefore i would suggest going for a bridge camera, i would probably suggest this one http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.209-1970.aspx as its a very good camera and not massively expensive has a fantastic auto mode for those times when you dont have the time to manually set your parameters

[Deleted User]

Sometimes i wish i'd spent my money on a 'top level' pocket camera (Panasonic LX3/5, Olympus XZ-1 ect) rather than my SLR.

I would not compare a bridge camera to an SLR. A big zoom does not mean its in the same category, it just happens to look similar. Then again, i'd much rather have a fast, wide lens than a slow zoom lens.

I love a bit of bokeh - i'm not sure how to get that easily with a small camera.. it's all down to the sensor size sadly. If only I could afford a Fujifilm FinePix X100