Photography newbie questions! What to buy?

Contains_Mild_Peril

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

The problem with most modern bridge cameras is that they don't offer any better image quality than high end mobiles phones as they use a similarly tiny 1/2.3in sensor to be able to get the ridiculous zooms. The only decent modern bridge cameras are the Panasonic FZ1000 and the Sony RX10 series which use far larger 1in sensors although still smaller than DSLRs and they're pricey.

John

The sensor is one of the two main factors affecting image quality, the other being the lens which will be superior on a typical bridge camera compared to a phone, and you can also get a big optical zoom for greater versatility. I would say if you're going to buy a camera with a tiny sensor you may as well go for a high-end compact rather than a bridge, although as mentioned, some bridge cameras do have bigger sensors capable of better results.
Something like a Panasonic Lumix TZ60 is comparable to many small-sensor bridge cameras for quality and features but fits easily in a pocket, making it ideal for unforeseen photo opportunities and for situations like concerts where security might stop spectators from using conspicuous cameras but they'll ignore small compacts. A big zoom and small sensor inevitably amounts to a compromise on image quality, but for versatility and convenience it's hard to beat, and the lens is by Leica, so as compromises go you could do a lot worse.
I also have an old DSLR (Pentax K100D) but it's heavy, low res by modern standards (6.1 MP, still fine for most purposes) and battery hungry so I've found myself using my Lumix compact a lot more. Of course, just as there are situations where I want a small camera there are others where I want a bigger one to pretend I'm a serious photographer. One thing many digital photographers have a hard time getting used to is the lack of preview on most SLRs (which is because the SLR uses mirrors to allow you to look through the lens via the viewfinder, so when you're framing your shot there's a mirror in front of the sensor).
A few pics I've taken with the Lumix TZ60, illustrating some of its abilities:
Wide end of zoom
Telephoto end, uncropped, from the same position
...and additional digital zoom (quality difference noticeable)
OK, I admit this one's cropped a bit, but the Moon was a decent size in the frame.
Manual focus. On a compact.
Handheld 1/4 sec exposure - pretty good image stabilisation.

daveyjp

£50-100 on a second hand dSLR and a modest zoom lens, something like an 18-105mm for a similar amount.

Go out and take lots of photos to learn how it works.

knightstyle

I have been using the Lumix TZ 55 for a couple of years. Not too big and has lots of features you might like to play with, shutter priority, appature priority, etc. Plus a reasonable zoom.
Later models, TZ60 etc. are even better.

tberry6686

Haydee_Milera wrote: »

I would recommend Canon DLSRs. Quite pricey than Nikon but it's better.

for a few things, yes but in the main canon are behind in technology.

For landscapes I would take nikon every time, and for sports a Sony A77 due to the 12 fps capability and its continous focus.

Strider590

Buy a used DSLR first off, there are plenty to be had because people buy them and then upgrade to something more substantial within a couple of years.

Don't fuss over megapixels, they don't equate to quality in ANY way shape or form. They're merely used as a selling point by less than knowledgeable salesmen.
A 6MP Canon 20D is going to beat the pants off of a new bottom end 16MP camera.