Bridge camera wanted

wadewade

I'm getting slightly baffled by the number of bridge cameras available (very high zoom ranges). Has anyone knowledge of one that fits the following spec please?

At least 20 x zoom
Has a look through viewfinder as well as a screen
Li batteries in preference to AAs
Good reviews
oh - and not too expensive!!

Thanks

Shimrod

I don't own one myself, but this round up of best buys should give you a head start http://www.cameralabs.com/buyers_guide/superzoom/best_superzoom_camera.shtml
Use http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/index.php to check prices

Guardsman

Rechargable AAs last ages in my FujiFilm Finepix bridge camera.
What is your budget

bengalknights

GE make some dirt cheap bridge cameras, although i would have though maybe a entry level slr with be a better match?

Chrishazle

Canon SX20IS - bought one 2 years ago for a safari trip, fantastic camera, uses AA's that you can buy anywhere rather than fancy expensive ones you have to recharge and carry a spare, takes superb video, I put a 16gig high speed card in mine. As for zoom, it's 20x optical, but keep your finger on the trigger and it goes to 64x digital - but you need to brace on something to use that! Also when taking video, you can zoom without it loosing focus.

Guardsman

The OP posted this at 5.38 pm then went offline Last Activity: Today 5:40 PM
What is the point of asking for help/advice when you are not available to answer basic questions like what is your budget.
People don't need to stay for hours but they could at least show some interest in their own thread:D

discoass

ive got a panasonic fz200 £380 very nice camera ( im no pro photographer)

zzzLazyDaisy

The panasonic Lumix FZ62, 16.1 mp, 24x optical zoom, 3" LCD.

Takes amazing photos. On offer at Amazon at the moment for £250 - plus panasonic are giving £40 cashback, making it £210. Fantastic price!

wadewade

Thank you all for your very helpful replies.

The usage reports from Chrishazle and zzzLazyDaisy were especially appreciated as I think personal recommendations are the most useful.

My budget is around £200 - £250, I already have an SLR with extra lenses but I am finding my camera bag a bit of a nuisance now I'm getting on a bit (can I really be 70!!). I've used a bridge camera and think I can accept the limitations on quality for much of my photography and plan to keep the SLR for special events.

Like bengalknights I've also seen makes like GE at very good prices but would like to know a bit more about them before I took the plunge. I was interested to hear a positive report about AA batteries (Thanks, Guardsman), I went off these years ago because of their size and duration but perhaps modern digitals are less power hungry.

Guardsman: I'm sorry about your remarks but would point out that (a) I was on duty from 7 pm til 10.30pm - I checked my email last night when I finished and noted that I had a reply but left it until this morning to open. Also (b) I am not planning to rush out this morning to order my camera - I am gathering information and did not feel the need to check it at midnight last night.

gonzo127

i am also a fan of the panisonic lumix fz bridge cameras, however i have had some usage out of a fuji finepix hs30 and have found that good as well (i quite like the manual zoom on it as a stand out feature)

one thing i would recommend is to go into jessops, take your own SD card, and (at least the ones i have been in) ask to test the bridge cameras with your SD card in it, take shots of the same things, inside the shop, but also outside the window etc and then you can take your card home and see what you think about the pictures when blown up on your screen, some times i have had a camera which i have liked the feel of and the built in screen shows a loverly picture, but when i have put them on a big screen i have been less impressed and noticed the image quality differences

with the batterys issue, its always 6 of one and half a dozzen of another, of course the big bonus of AA batterys is you can get replacements just about anywhere, which can be a life saver if you have forgotton to charge your batterys or have left them long enough between charges that instead of being full you only have half charge etc

wadewade

Thank you for that, very useful. I'm quite keen to have a "proper" viewfinder as well as a screen but it looks as if these only come on a few cameras.