patrick28 Loc: Port Jeervis, NY

There's a relatively new class of camera, referred to as a 'bridge' camera.
It's a 'bridge' because it bridges the gap between the P&S and DSLR. They feature a single monster lens and many functions of a DSLR. They are larger than a P&S and lighter than a DSLR. It does not provide for interchangeable lenses -- just a single wonder lens.

My first love was the Nikon P7000 which served as a travel substitute for the D700. (It was stolen right out of my bedroom. Sob!)

Here is a sample of what the Panasonic Lumix FZ150 can do at 600mm zoom. Note the saturation, contrast and clarity of its Leica lens. And get this!!! This zoom shot was taken at 600mm, HAND HELD by some old geezer in his mid 80's!

(OK to do whatever you like with or to these shots.)

A 18mm 400 1/320 f8.3


A 600mm 400 1/250 f8.3


A 600mm 400 1/125 f8.3

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I also have a "bridge camera" besides my pocet point & shoot and DSLR. I don't take my DSLR to a crowded sporting event..that's where my bridge camera comes in handy. I got the advantage of zooming in on distant objects without changing lenses and the photo quality isn't bad at all, as long as photographer has a steady hand.

GC likes NIKON Loc: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

I love my P7000 so much that I bought my GF a P7100 for Christmas. I'm also shooting a D70 & D200.

Still looking for another "throw away" P50 on Ebay to take kayaking and fishing..... Yes, I like NIKON !!!

GC likes NIKON Loc: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

PS: It focuses down to less than an inch !!

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

I also have a P&S and a bridge camera. They are really nice depending on what you are shooting and what you are doing. Example: riding bike the P&S would be great as it is pocket size to be taken many locations; the 'bridge' to a crowed event where you need a nice camera that can do the job more than a P&S especially if you don't have a DSLR.

I do not have a DSLR and just use the 2 cameras that I have. It works out nice for me but as I am trying to learn more with my 'bridge', I am finding it hard to get any kind of feedback or critiquing that could help me improve. That is why I joined the thread so I can get more feedback from a vast crowd besides what I get locally. So far, I am not having any luck here.

tinosa Loc: Grand Rapids Michigan

My first bridge camera was the Panasonic FZ 15. That was 7 years ago. It was ahead of it's time.
A high quality Leica 12x zoom was F2.8 through the ENTIRE zoom range, an Optical Image Stabilizer, 4 frames/second in burst mode
With a Nikon 6T attachment I got excellent macro shots like this one.
I still use it regularly, it is my glove compartment camera.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Wow! That's zoooming in there!!!
Pat

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

What more are you trying to learn with your bridge camera that your not having any luck with?

Al FR-153 Loc: Chicago Suburbs

I consider my Canon S5is a 'bridge'. Don't know if the world does on not, but with a wide angle, telephoto, and macro adapter, and considering the options in AV, TV (S), Manual, etc., etc., it is as close to a DSLR as you can get with a P&S.

Only reason I purchased the S5is was that my wife wouldn't use my 35mm SLR - to complicated for her. Then, she wouldn't use my S5 saying the same thing even though it has a AUTO mode. She has a little Lumix DMC-FH20 and is happy with it. I am looking to going back to a real DSLR. Reason...... Lens quality.

Dana Loc: Southern Oklahoma

My daughter has this camera. I've been impressed with the quality pics she gets with it. So much so that when I decided to take the leap from P&S. (And didn't know enough to justify spending big bucks. I also need something a little smaller than the big guys.) I went with the Panasonic G2 micro 4/3. I have sooooo much to learn. But I have gotten some decent shots with it.
I

BuckeyeBilly Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Patrick,
I am a huge fan of bridge cameras, especially because of the l-o-n-g lens reach available. I have owned a Canon SX10IS, Fuji S200EXR, Fuji HS20, and my newest one, the Canon SX40. Right now, there are a couple of others that will be released in the very near future that seem rather exciting, at least on paper. Both are made by Fuji and the lens reach on both of them is phenomenal! One is the Fuji HS30, a continuation of the HS line of cameras they make. The other is the X-S1 and seems rather high in price for a bridge camera---until you look closely at what this camera can do and how it is built. Here are links to both cameras for you or anyone to see:

http://www.fujifilm.eu/uk/news/article/news/fujifilm-finepix-hs30exr-long-zoom-versatility-and-exceptional-image-quality/

http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x_s1/

Both of these cameras have a feature called, "Intelligent Digital Zoom," and when implemented, it DOUBLES the reach of the lens. The X-S1 will go out to 1248mm and the HS30 will go out to 1440mm! On its website, Fuji explains how they've been able to address problems associated with this long reach. And, as a side note, I've been particularly pleased with the stunning images of the Fuji cameras I've had and the outstanding color saturation. Here are samples of all the cameras I have.

Fuji S200, Sunset@Ft. DeSoto (Florida)


Canon SX40, Ft. DeSoto (Florida), about 50 feet away


Fuji HS20, Storm at sunset, St. Pete Beach (Florida)

gmccaleb Loc: East KY / South AL

I have a Canon S5IS, Fuji Finepix HS10, and a Canon T2i with an 18-200mm lens. I find that I enjoy the Fuji much more than the T2i because of the weight and versatility.
I'm thinking about upgrading the Canon S5. I wonder though about the quality of the images. Does a bigger camera give a higer quality image if the megapixals are the same?

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I agree the Fujifilm HS line (HS-10 HS-20) are about as close to a DSLR as your going to get, and still use a point&shoot. You have the advantage of a umungis zoom (I think it's 35X) without changing lenses. Their about as big as a DSLR and alightly cheaper. For consistently sharp photos, you can't beat a entry level DSLR, but the Fujifilm HS Series isn't that far behind.

2 Dog Don Loc: Virginia Beach VA

I have 2 bridge cameras both Fujifilm one is the S100FS (14X optical zoom) the other is the HS20EXR a (30X optical zoom). I love them both and you can see some of my pics on Flickr by searching for Don Hague. The advantages for the non profession and fiscally challanged photographer is price, great for travel, no dirt on the sensor. Both cameras shoot in raw and the HS20 can shoot raw and jpeg at the same time

tinosa Loc: Grand Rapids Michigan

2 Dog Don

Here's a fun video HS20 versus D700.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfnv9pRUJrU