Bridge Camera Choice: I have enjoyed reading UGH forum for a few months now and have gotten a lot of good tips. It's a great forum! I am looking at Bridge cameras and am currently...

White Wing Loc: Lee's Summit, MO

I have enjoyed reading UGH forum for a few months now and have gotten a lot of good tips. It's a great forum! I am looking at Bridge cameras and am currently considering a Canon SX40 or a Nikon 510. I would like some opinions out there on these two cameras (or any other bridge camera that is comparable to these two in price and what they offer). I want something smaller & lighter weight for a second camera...especially for those times when it is difficult to carry around my heavy SLR. I have always owned a Canon and currently use a Canon 40D that I love, but I am willing to consider other camera brands for a second camera. It seems there is a lot of camera knowledge among the UGH members and your expertise would be much appreciated. Thank you.

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

Fuji makes some real nice bridge camerea. Prices are around $200.00-$400.00 for the different models of theirs. They take great photos and are easy to use.

White Wing Loc: Lee's Summit, MO

Thanks Photo Guy, I will check out the Fuji cameras. Do you have a Fuji bridge camera?

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

White Wing wrote:

Thanks Photo Guy, I will check out the Fuji cameras. Do you have a Fuji bridge camera?

I own 2 Fuji bridge cameras (one way old model that takes the xD card so I don't use it) and a newer one. I love them. I also have a Kodak P&S for when I am bike riding. Fuji makes some real nice bridge cameras and they take great shots. Many of the photos I have posted here on this site have come from my newer Fuji. Prices are reasonable too for the number of features you get as well as megapixel size. You can get some of them on sale for less than $200.00 if you keep an eye on the adds but regular price goes from just over $200.00 to up around $400.00 from what I have been seeing depending on the model and features.

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

I have the P500. Of course you would want to go with the 510. I love my 500. There are a few things it can't do but I don't really need those yet because I am still learning. For the money I think it is quite a camera. I love the controls on it and how easy it is to use. It is also nice to be standing next to other people who whip out their little P&S camera or cellphone to get awesome shots of something going on way far away and know that I can haul out my bridge camera and get a really great shot.

White Wing Loc: Lee's Summit, MO

Thanks for your reply, photo guy. I'm sorry I didn't realize that it was already noted here what kind of cameras you use until after I ask if you if had a Funji. I will see if I can run down some of your photos in the pictures section that you have taken and tomorrow I will do some research and compare the S1500 to the other two I have been looking at.

White Wing Loc: Lee's Summit, MO

Thank you for your feedback, Tea8. I have been looking for about a month and it seems the more I research different bridge cameras the harder it is to make up my mind! I bought a small canon camera for my husband to carry around (more like a a pocket camera)a year or so ago and I was really disappointed in it so I am determined to be to be a little more careful this time. Does your 500 take nice inside shots?

photo guy Loc: Chippewa Falls, WI

White Wing wrote:

Thanks for your reply, photo guy. I'm sorry I didn't realize that it was already noted here what kind of cameras you use until after I ask if you if had a Funji. I will see if I can run down some of your photos in the pictures section that you have taken and tomorrow I will do some research and compare the S1500 to the other two I have been looking at.

If you have any other questions about my cameras or my photos, just let me know. Thanks.

Tea8 Loc: Where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

White Wing wrote:

Thank you for your feedback, Tea8. I have been looking for about a month and it seems the more I research different bridge cameras the harder it is to make up my mind! I bought a small canon camera for my husband to carry around (more like a a pocket camera)a year or so ago and I was really disappointed in it so I am determined to be to be a little more careful this time. Does your 500 take nice inside shots?

Yes I find that I get pretty decent inside shots. It opens to about an f/3.5 aperture at it widest depending on which setting you have it on. It also has scene settings and I think that one is an inside setting. I don't use that setting but I find that with the open aperture and setting the iso up a little, or letting the camera set it automatically, I can get shots I am happy with.

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

You might want to look into the Panasonic Lumix cameras, I did a lot of research when I was looking for a bridge camera for my wife to use. One thing I really like is that it will shoot in RAW format. some of the others only shoot in jpeg. It also comes with a Leica lens which seems to be very good. With no help from me my wife won 1st place in a club contest using this camera. Here is the shot.

Shot with Lumix FZ150

Turbo Loc: Raleigh, NC

There are many great bridge cameras out there.

I would suggest you go to a camera store and handle several of them. Once you find the one that fits your hands best ............ you found the one you want !

If you already have a Canon, the menus will be similar and your learning curve will thus be shorter.

Birdie....1947 Loc: Central La.

I have the Fuji HS20EXR and there are two newer models sence it. It also shoots raw and has a 30x optical zoom. Does a very good job. I also own two other Fuji, a p&s and older s7000. Happy with all.

mdeman Loc: Damascus, Maryland

I recently went through the same process. Having been a Canon user, I looked carefully at the Canon bridge camera, the SX40. But I chose instead a Panasonic FZ150 for three reasons. 1) it will shoot in RAW format 2) it is much lighter than the Canon 3) I like the logic and placement of the controls better.

You really can't make a good decision until you actually get your hands on one of the cameras. All the specs in the world don't equal 10 minutes of feel.

I am REALLY happy with my choice.

Itpurs Loc: Carson City, NV

White Wing wrote:

I have enjoyed reading UGH forum for a few months ... (show quote)

I too needed a smaller bridge camera to back up my Canon 7D. Especially for travel. I bought the Canon S40, but sent it back to B&H because it was just too soft in the focus area. After much research I ended up with a Panasonic FZ100 and just love it, I understand the FZ150 is even better. That little FZ100 went all through China with me and wil be heading to Russia this June. It is an excellent bridge camera, tack sharp, and very light to carry. Good luck with your search. Just my opinion for you.

White Wing Loc: Lee's Summit, MO

Thank you photo guy, Tea8, Gary, Turbo, Birdie, Mdeman & Itpurs. I appreciate the feedback from all of you. I will consider all your comments when making my selection. I usually order my cameras & equipment from
B &H but I will take your good advice, Turbo and make a trip to our local Camera Store to get a feel of the different cameras before I make a purchase. photo guy, I have not found any of your photos yet in the photo gallery but will continue to watch for them. Gary, that is a very nice photo your wife took.