The best bridge digital camera for me?

Question

My minimum requirements are:
- hot shoe for added flash
- LCD that physically tilts
- RAW image mode
- OPTICAL image stabilization

After this, I want to maximize ZOOM and maximize the frames per second, and minimize F-stop number.

So far, I'm looking at Fuji FinePix S100FX, Panasonic DMC-G1, and Pansonic Lumix DMC-FZ50.

I'm very experienced with the Lumix DMC-FZ30, and I love that camera. So, I'm leaning toward the FZ50, which has a tele-lens.

But I like the 14.3X of the Fuji.

I CAN'T figure out how much zoom I could get with the various lens attachments for the DMC-G1.

FYI, For those who wonder why I want a bridge camera instead of SLR:
- I don't like dust between lenses,
- I don't like the weight,
- I don't like the audio noise when I take a pic,
- I don't like the limitations to macro photography, and
- I don't like LCDs that can't tilt.

Answer 1

I suggest reading this article: "Compact Digicams A Pro Could Love" in the May 2009 issue of SHUTTERBUG ( http://www.shutterbug.com )



Professional photographer and author Peter K. Burian tests the Canon G10, Nikon P6000 and Lumix DMC-LX3. If I were buying a camera of this type I'd go with the DMC-LX3 because of its very fast f2.0-2.8 lens.



Although I understand your opposition to the weight and what you consider objectional noise of a DSLR, you are misinformed about a couple of other objections.



First, if you're careful when changing lenses dust isn't a problem. I've used an SLR for decades and changed lenses in all manner of conditions and dust has never been a problem.



A good, wide neck strap lessens the effects of camera weight. There are also harnesses you can buy that do an even better job without compromising the use of your camera. You can check one out at http://www.backcountrysolutions.com/



Most DSLRs have a way to reduce and/or eliminate the faux shutter noise.



With a DSLR there are no limitations to macro photography since you can buy a real macro lens which will give you a 1:1 (life size) image. The real limitation to macro photography is the lens on a bridge camera.



There are some DSLRs coming to the market with tiltable viewscreens. The Sony A300 and A350 are 2 that come to mind.



And now, the best reason for choosing a DSLR other than its interchangeable lenses: Sensor Size!



The sensor of an average bridge camera measures 6.16mm x 4.62mm which is very tiny. An average DSLR sensor measures 23.6mm x 15.8mm. If the bridge camera and the DSLR both have 10mp which one do you think will produce the better image and the larger prints? If you chose the DSLR go to the head of the class. If the bridge camera has more mega pixels its performance at higher ISOs and in low-light will suffer even more.



Another reason to choose a DSLR is to eliminate shutter lag. Shutter lag is endemic to compact and bridge digicams. Since you've used a digicam you know the frustration that results when you miss a picture because the camera isn't ready to take another picture.

Answer 2

"I CAN'T figure out how much zoom I could get with the various lens attachments for the DMC-G1."



A zoom range is the longest focal length divided by the shortest. So the G1's kit 14-45mm (28-90 "35mm equivalent") lens is roughly a 3.2x zoom. And the 45-200 (90-400 equiv.) is 4.4x. But combined (eg. 14-200) they give you a roughly 14.3x zoom range.



Compared to the other models, the G1 gives you a much larger sensor. Which means better low light/high ISO. Of course there is also the flexibility you get with an interchangeable lens system. And it has perhaps the best Electronic Viewfinder ever equipped on a still camera (or at least one your average person could afford).



It does produce a bit of noise during the shot. Though not nearly as much as a dSLR. And neither of the currently available lens is technically designed for macro, but they can focus fairly close.

Answer 3

i would also probably suggest the lumix also, the lumix cameras are very good and have great image quality.

yes the fuji is a good camera and better than most compacts, but for the price and bulkiness you might as well get an slr, even a small slr like a nikon d60 will produce far better image quality than any of these cameras, due to the sensor size, the largest sensor on the market for compacts at the moment, is on the fuji s100FS, but thats still half the size of that in an slr

Answer 4

I recently got the Fuji FinePix S100FX and I have been extremely happy with it. The settings are so fast and simple to use and I've found the image stabilisation to be perfect. Good luck with your choice!