bw79st Loc: New York City

I had been carrying around a Canon S100 with a 2.0-5.9 lens but found it too light for me to get good photos. I needed more heft so I got a refurb Olympus XZ-2 for $200, using a $50 coupon I had from Oly. This thing has heft! But it it is hard to slip into a tight pocket. It has a 1.8-2.5 lens, shoots RAW, and so far seems to take beautiful pictures. My only complaints are it is easy to turn the power on as you try to slip it into your pocket, and it has an AF/MF switch on the front that looks like a self timer lever from film SLRs. I managed to flip that last week and went through hell trying to find out why my camera wouldn't focus, and why I couldn't make it AF in the menu options. I finally found the switch in the manual so there's peace in the valley again.

N Tom Loc: Tucson, AZ

I have a Panasonic FZ200 which never ceases to amaze me with its versatility and overall performance, especially in video (which was my main reason for getting it and its having an external microphone jack which some other very good bridge cameras didn't include). Now the Canon S50 sounds terrific and I love that it can give you that exttra reach optically. But here's another "fun" note on the Panny FZ200-- I can shoot 60 frames per second in hi definition (1080p) which allows me to do beautiful slow motion in post-- much better than the 720p built in slo mo where you can't zoom or record sound. I'll include some stills from a serious-fun video I'm working on. I loved the way the water drops were swirling around his head-- [and it went great with Brazilian rumba music!]

3 slo mo doggie shaking shots

(Download)

my favorite--cropped for DVD cover use

(Download)

Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

Panasonic FZ200. It's the smart choice. Very happy with mine.

N Tom Loc: Tucson, AZ

Unicorn Hunting -- [I should have mentioned is one of my major joys in life]. Even though I already replied with my "slomo fun idea" at 60fps 1080p, I also want to comment regarding the F2.8 low light capability. I went to a folksong concert by "Run, Boy, Run" with my wife and naturally I brought along the Panny with an ext. mike, just to see how it would work in a challenging strange & low light circumstance. I was shooting hand held from about 10 rows back (they said I could shoot as long as I didn't use a flash) and was able to get some amazing CUs-- even ECUs-- and the music was terrific with no zoom lens or focusing motor noise-- AND it was extremely steady on the closeups. Some folks who saw it though I was in the FIRST row or on stage!
so again-- here are a few stills. P.S. The FZ does do raw.
Maybe someday I'll send some along some UNICORN shots-- one of my extra joys in post photography is digital composites as well as almost impossible "repair & restoration" of old, precious but very damaged photos. So,
Happy Unicorn hunting to you with whichever camera you select!!

these stills are from video

(Download)

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

My girlfriend has the SX50 (I gave it to her), it is tiny compared to an DSLR, way tiny (it is so small that I can not use it).

Ambrose Loc: North America

I'll second this. The P7100 gets brilliant images.

G8R26 Loc: Texas

I bought a Leica V-Lux 4 as a bridge for my Nikon D800. It has a fast lens with a fantastic reach, shoots in raw and can be operated in full manual mode. It's also light weight and compact. Great bridge camera - I highly recommend it.

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Tom, I'm going to throw my hat in the ring and beg you to buck tradition and seriously consider Fujifilm, particularly the X-S1 or, for even more reach, the HS50EXR which is the one I personally have. The HS50EXR has all of your requirements plus these extra important considerations: this camera is ready to shoot as soon as you turn it on---it's that blazingly fast; it also reproduces the Fuji award-winning VELVIA color; I personally have hand-held the camera with a shutter speed of only 1/13 second with no camera shake visible in the photo; and you can attach 58mm filters of all kinds to the front of the lens giving you added versatility. I have owned the Canon SX40 and can definitely see a difference in quality of photos with the HS50, even though the Canon takes very nice photos. So, go rogue....be independent and buck the system by going with Fuji.

Bruski Loc: Ellensburg, WA

Go to Amazon or elsewhere and see if you can still get a Fuji SL1000 (last years model). I love mine and it is great even at 50X.

jthelw Loc: California

I really enjoy my Canon S110, and it is very small, if that's important to you.

Billynikon Loc: Atlanta

I have the leica D lux 5 , it has an f2 lens and takes great pics. Good zoom, only thing I dislike is the lack of a viewfinder. Fits in my pocket and is always there

Mojoni Loc: Eastern Tennessee

I too have the Leica D lux 5 as well as the Panasonic FZ200. You can always get the electronic viewfinder for the D lux 5.

Roscomar Loc: Middle Georgia

Absolutely love my Panasonic FZ200. It has almost totally replaced my Nikon D700 and bag of lenses that seems to weigh more every day. The 600mm (35mm equivalent) reach with constant 2.8 aperture throughout the range is really hard to beat, especially in such a lightweight package.

Alois

There is no possible way that FZ 200 could ever beat D700.

Michael O' Loc: Midwest right now

Tom, can't help with your question, but could not help but comment on your "rauhar dachel". I've had 2 of them, one in Germany and one in the US. Don't know if still the case, but East Peoria, Illinois used to be ther only place that had registered
Rauhars. They are the branch of the breed that was bred specifically to dig out varmints in underground dens -- going in teeth first. Aren't they playful and fun !