Graveman Loc: Indiana

Every now and then I see the term "Point and Shoot". This is defined as "A camera that is simple, easy to use with a minimum of user controls". Such was my first camera (pictured) the only control was to either move backward or forward to get it in focus.

Fast forward 40+ years (with any number of cameras that were P&S). Now the question is: with my Nikon 3100 (or any other such camera) if all I do is turn it on, let it do the work and take the picture, without doing anything else, does that make it a P&S? The only thing I'm controlling is the composition of the picture.

One other question: What makes a "bridge camera" or perhaps what is one?

1st camera

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

OK, let's see if I can answer this correctly.

First off, the picture of your "first camera" is not a P&Sp&s. I believe it's a twin lens reflex. Looks like a pretty good quality, too.

Now, what I know as P&S is a camera with a retractable lens that fits in your pocket. Some can be quite intricate with lots of functions & not necessarily a simple camera.

Your D3100, as you probably know is considered a DSLR. If you're using it in Auto Mode, you are using it as a P&S but it's not a P&S. You probably know that DSLR means DIGITAL Single Lens Reflex and as such you are able to look through the viewfinder or LCD screen and see what the camera actually sees through its lens. Of course this is an electronic advancement of the SLR which does the same thing only the image is exposed on film instead of a sensor.

I have a D5300 DSLR and an SX 50 HS which is considered a "bridge" camera. Some have said it is not truly a bridge camera as a bridge camera would have all the functions of a P&S, most of the control of a DSLR, and an interchangeable lens.

OK, let's see how right or wrong I am, or off the mark when someone else answers your query.
:lol:

Graveman Loc: Indiana

It was a good camera. It belonged to my Dad. He never used it much so I took it over (as long as I bought the film and paid to get it developed :D ) I guess my Kodak Easy Share C633 would be a P&S, as it fits in my pocket (shirt).

Thanks for the input, we'll see what happens.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I don't like the term P&S because I don't think it applies to any modern cameras. A better term would be "compact." Is the Sony RX100 a P&S, just because it's small? Going back ten years or more, all compacts I've had have been adjustable.

Even if you just point and shoot a DSLR, it's not a point and shoot. You might be a point and shooter, but the camera is highly adjustable. It's time we got rid of that meaningless P&S designation.

BebuLamar

I hate the definition P&S because somewhere in there they mean it to be a small camera too. Most camera we call P&S nowaday do have full controls but more difficult to use. The non P&S actually can be used as P&S as they do have all the automation features but they are bigger and all the controls are easy to use.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

"Point & Shoot" and "Bridge" are really terms coined by marketers than technically specific terms like SLR, DSLR and TLR (twin lens reflex, which is what your dad's camera looks to have be). Come to think of it, I wonder if some hipster-oriented company (Holga, maybe?) will one day come out with a DTLR...

Anyway, as you point out, P&S generally refers to a pocketable camera (that is, shirt pocket) that usually, but not always, only offers minimal control to the photographer. Of course, by that definition, smart phone cameras would qualiify. And at the other end of the complexity spectrum might be Canon's PowerShot S95 (or whatever the current version model number is) which is quite small yet gives me the ability to select aperture, shutter speed, ISO setting, etc. So to call it a loosely defined definition would be about right.

"Bridge" are those cameras designed to look from the outside like a DSLR but without interchangeable lenses (but usually zoom lenses), the notion being they "bridge the gap" between simple P&S and DSLR type machines. Nikon's P900, with its 83x optical zoom, is the current monster of this category, but all the major manufacturers offer a few models of this type. DSLR (and now mirrorless, which itself is a term that confuses some) cameras have larger sensors that bridge cameras do, which can make a difference in terms of enlarge ability and low light performance, etc., but of course are generally larger and heavier and pricier than the bridge models.

But, again, while SLR and TLR are terms that describe specific aspects of the design of the camera body, P&S and Bridge are far fuzzier terms.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

What I commonly see referred to as a "bridge" camera is one with most of the controls of a DSLR, but smaller and with a zoom or superzoom built-in lens. It may or may not have a viewfinder and might or might not shoot RAW. I have a Canon SX-510 that I would consider a bridge, since I can take full manual control if I want to, and it lacks both a viewfinder and RAW capabilities, but it does a nice job for what it is. It's my backup in case the worst ever happens to my D7200 when I'm miles from anywhere. I'm thinking most small cameras with interchangeable lenses these days would be better referred to as mirrorless, since that's how they achieve the size reduction. Good luck with all the answers you are likely to stir up!

MtnMan Loc: ID

Yes, with the addition of the word "sensor" after "smaller" in your first sentence. Some bridge cameras, such as the new Nikon P900, can be physically large.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

P&S would be any camera that you cannot make adjustments to before the shot, except of course for composition. A Brownie Hawkeye comes to mind. Load film, point (compose), shoot. The little disposable film cameras you can still buy are another example.

I think a better term would be a "snapshot" camera but then semantics again rears it's ugly head.

MarkD Loc: NYC

I think that P&S applies to a camera with a minimum of user controls, and is aimed at people who just want to point the camera at a subject and shoot. I prefer the term compact to apply to a camera that is small in size but has all or most of the user controls of a DSLR. My Nikon P7800 would be a compact camera and not a P&S because it has a full set of user controls.

A bridge camera attempts to bridge the gap between a P&S and a DSLR. Most look like a DSLR, have a full set of user controls and a high ratio zoom lens.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Point and shoot - aka camera that needs no adjusting - Kodak Brownie, Instamatic, etc - which is not even close to a fixed lens TLR. No, your first camera was not a point and shoot.

However, many new cameras have a mode where the camera's electronics more or less automate the settings - including focus but excluding zoom - to take decent pictures under typical circumstances.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

A Kodak Brownie was a point and shoot. Minimal user interactions available.
Composition was forward/backward user location. First camera I ever used.

Today's P&S cameras still have a huge amount of options available. Zoom being one, for example.
Point & Shoot is some ad writers BS dreamed up to sell the little pecker heads to John Q. Public.

Using your D3100 in Auto Mode does not really constitute point & shoot.
It is using the automatic programing of the camera to make most setting selections for you, while you decide on your composition, zooming, and when to squeeze off the capture.

Don't confuse BS with P&S. They are quite different. ;)

LennyP4868 Loc: NJ

no it does not. Just because you are not using the do dads that are in your camera when you shoot, It dosent change what the camera is

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

A DSLR isn't a point and shoot even if you use it on full auto, because it has the capabilities to be used in full manual.

BebuLamar

But most of the cameras we call P&S also have the capabilities to be used in full manual. The primary difference is that what called P&S are small.