Bridge cameras
May 13, 2014 01:53:28 #
Please excuse my ignorance, but I never heard the term "Bridge Camera" until I joined the UHH. I've been taking photos for the past 40 years, and recently converted to digital. Thank you for your patience.
May 13, 2014 02:19:54 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
Beard43 wrote:
Please excuse my ignorance, but I never heard the term "Bridge Camera" until I joined the UHH. I've been taking photos for the past 40 years, and recently converted to digital. Thank you for your patience.
I would say a bridge camera is a large camera compared to a point&shoot, has a large zoom range (often 10x to 60x), and does not have interchangeable lenses. In the film days, there were "zoom lens reflex" cameras like the Olympus IS-1. I think todays bridge cameras are successor to those.
May 13, 2014 02:32:32 #
Thank you for your response. I presume that means that my Canon S5IS is considered a bridge camera? I now shoot with a Nikon D200. I lent the Canon to my granddaughter to shoot her baby.
May 13, 2014 02:48:05 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
Beard43 wrote:
Thank you for your response. I presume that means that my Canon S5IS is considered a bridge camera? I now shoot with a Nikon D200. I lent the Canon to my granddaughter to shoot her baby.
Yes, I would say the Canon S5is qualifies, with the zoom going past 400mm (35mm equivalent).
May 13, 2014 04:48:59 #
Yes, a bridge camera fills the gap between a dslr and point and shoots. You will never get the quality of a dslr..but the incredible magnification means it is ideal for snapping wildlife at a distance with excellent results ( I've captured Jupiter and four of her moons). Many Hoggers (including myself) use a Canon sx50..look it up beard.
May 13, 2014 05:08:45 #
Point and shoot - Fully automatic exposure, fully automatic focussing, adjustable ISO MIGHT be available, Non-interchangeable lens, probably does have digital zoom, sometimes optical. Usually has scene modes. Depth of Field is controlled by scene modes when available, built in flash works in auto mode.
Bridge - Fully automatic exposure, Semi-automatic exposure, MIGHT have full manual exposure. Fully automatic focussing, manual focussing. Adjustable ISO, Non-interchangeable lens, Optical zoom, MIGHT have digital zoom, Usually has sophisticated scene modes. Built in flash works in either auto or manual modes.
Compact - either one of above, smaller design.
Point and shoots are useful for their instant readiness state: switch on, aim and shoot. They are more portable than either bridge or DSLR cameras. I carry one to record Road Traffic Accidents (and other subjects).
Bridge - Fully automatic exposure, Semi-automatic exposure, MIGHT have full manual exposure. Fully automatic focussing, manual focussing. Adjustable ISO, Non-interchangeable lens, Optical zoom, MIGHT have digital zoom, Usually has sophisticated scene modes. Built in flash works in either auto or manual modes.
Compact - either one of above, smaller design.
Point and shoots are useful for their instant readiness state: switch on, aim and shoot. They are more portable than either bridge or DSLR cameras. I carry one to record Road Traffic Accidents (and other subjects).
May 13, 2014 05:25:34 #
DavidPine
Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
A bridge camera can be as small as a Sony Rx-100. It has a large sensor and all the shooting modes and can easily fit in my shirt pocket. Amazing little camera.
Beard43 wrote:
Please excuse my ignorance, but I never heard the term "Bridge Camera" until I joined the UHH. I've been taking photos for the past 40 years, and recently converted to digital. Thank you for your patience.
May 13, 2014 06:09:09 #
DavidPine wrote:
A bridge camera can be as small as a Sony Rx-100. It has a large sensor and all the shooting modes and can easily fit in my shirt pocket. Amazing little camera.
The RX-100 is the reason I do not include super zoom as a necessary feature of Bridge cameras.
It fits into my definition of Compact-Bridge very nicely.
May 13, 2014 10:10:26 #
amehta
Loc: Boston
Searcher wrote:
The RX-100 is the reason I do not include super zoom as a necessary feature of Bridge cameras.
It fits into my definition of Compact-Bridge very nicely.
It fits into my definition of Compact-Bridge very nicely.
I think "compact bridge" is an oxymoron. :-)
I would call the RX-100 an "advanced compact". That category has been around for decades too.
May 13, 2014 10:24:54 #
amehta wrote:
I think "compact bridge" is an oxymoron. :-)
I would call the RX-100 an "advanced compact". That category has been around for decades too.
I would call the RX-100 an "advanced compact". That category has been around for decades too.
If you include Advanced Compact, you will probably want to include Retarded Compact as well.
I will stay with my definition, a compact camera is a physically smaller version of the main categories.
Point and Shoot
Bridge
SLR
DSLR
Mirrorless I have yet to define, since P&S and Bridge cameras are actually mirrorless, the only defining feature I know of is the interchangeable lens facility. I don't know enough about Mirrorless cameras to decide what they are.
These definitions are mine, not something I have read or looked up, so I expect some (many) would disagree with me.
May 13, 2014 12:20:32 #
Beard43 wrote:
Please excuse my ignorance, but I never heard the term "Bridge Camera" until I joined the UHH. I've been taking photos for the past 40 years, and recently converted to digital. Thank you for your patience.
I have been doing photography for 55 yrs, since I was 6. (you do the math) and since digital I still have to google terms that are new to me. You just can't keep up. - Dave
May 13, 2014 17:29:43 #
wilsondl2 wrote:
I have been doing photography for 55 yrs, since I was 6. (you do the math) and since digital I still have to google terms that are new to me. You just can't keep up. - Dave
But isn't it fun trying? :)
May 14, 2014 05:42:04 #
I think a bridge pretty much needs to physically mimic a dslr especially including the equivalent of a through the lens viewfinder.
I miss my old S5 IS. Have yet to try anything as nice made today. Longer reach, maybe. But that was a sweet camera when it came to handling.
I miss my old S5 IS. Have yet to try anything as nice made today. Longer reach, maybe. But that was a sweet camera when it came to handling.
May 14, 2014 06:25:31 #
My last "Bridge Camera" Fuji S-9000; that big then it would be better to tote a small DSLR with a wide range zoom. Not something for my belt pack, pocket, or a woman's jeans or purse. So Bridge to me is just as inconvenient as the small mirrorless DSLR.
Presently I carry a Panasonic ZS-20. This type of camera is reminiscent of my small folding 35mm film camera (loved it) which was with me in the Army unseen in a Class A uniform. Always there when a photo happened and was not planned.
The phrase Point & Shoot is a degrading, numb noggin, brainless phrase that automatically degrades many excellent 24/7, all day any day, camera. While my ZS-20 has been out classed by time and money, it is excellent and attached to my belt in a pack.
When looking at these cameras, check the reviews, the lens manufacturer and the zoom range ... above all how they feel in your hands. Google "Top Ten Point and Shoot" a great deal of opinions and data.
Presently I carry a Panasonic ZS-20. This type of camera is reminiscent of my small folding 35mm film camera (loved it) which was with me in the Army unseen in a Class A uniform. Always there when a photo happened and was not planned.
The phrase Point & Shoot is a degrading, numb noggin, brainless phrase that automatically degrades many excellent 24/7, all day any day, camera. While my ZS-20 has been out classed by time and money, it is excellent and attached to my belt in a pack.
When looking at these cameras, check the reviews, the lens manufacturer and the zoom range ... above all how they feel in your hands. Google "Top Ten Point and Shoot" a great deal of opinions and data.
May 14, 2014 06:28:46 #
Hello Searcher, I agree with your categories but you should include "CSC" in your list. That will cover all the mirrorless cameras.
Cheers, John.
Cheers, John.
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