Canon SX-40, point and shoot or bridge: When I got my my new SX40, I considered it to be a "bridge" camera, yet recently it has been dismissed as a "point and shoot" camera, albeit a...

dickhrm Loc: Spingfield, IL

When I got my my new SX40, I considered it to be a "bridge" camera, yet recently it has been dismissed as a "point and shoot" camera, albeit a good one.

Apparently the term "bridge camera" is becoming out of vogue, with only two basic generic terms used these days: point and shoot and DSLR.

So what is the generic class of my SX40? Thanks.

stryvya Loc: Camborne, Cornwall

like you I have just got the SX40 and attended a local P/T course (10 week evening) and it held its own against Kits that cost 4X as much.
Do not worry about Names, use and enjoy, also look at this as a possible easy upgrade to the SX40, works well and gives it lots of potential even allows it to shoot in RAW.and is not a Warranty Issue as it only a temporary upgrade to the Camera Memory (you choose to load it or not)

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK_in_Brief

jadeast Loc: Virginia

IMHO depends on who you talk to! In traveling across the country and back I found that people who own point and shoot cameras call the SX40 "your expensive camera" while the DSLR owners are dismissive of it and often are reluctant to give it anything other than point and shoot status. The most important factor is the twelve inches behind the lens. I met a lady one Mt St Helens Washington who had a Canon DSLR with a 55mm F1.2 lens who shot everything with flash.

dickhrm Loc: Spingfield, IL

Thanks for both replies. I guess the answer is "in the eyes of the beholder!" Maybe "superzoom camera" would be a compromise between point and shoot and DSLR, instead of "bridge camera."

jadeast wrote:

IMHO depends on who you talk to! In traveling across the country and back I found that people who own point and shoot cameras call the SX40 "your expensive camera" while the DSLR owners are dismissive of it and often are reluctant to give it anything other than point and shoot status. The most important factor is the twelve inches behind the lens. I met a lady one Mt St Helens Washington who had a Canon DSLR with a 55mm F1.2 lens who shot everything with flash.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

Actually, even the most expensive Canon or Nikon is a "Point and Shoot"...........

dickhrm Loc: Spingfield, IL

True enough - even Ansel Adams pointed his great big camera and lens at what he wanted a pic of, and then shot it!

donrent wrote:

Actually, even the most expensive Canon or Nikon is a "Point and Shoot"...........

prestonphoto Loc: Bath, NY

I just got an SX40 and like it alot - going out this afternoon and see what it'll really do digital zoom wise. I consider it a bridge as I have a S3 model and a Rebel XTi - the SX40 fits the next step for my next camera. As far as the "point and shoot" deal - what is ANY camera but just that??? Point, aim and shoot - yup - that fits ANY camera for sure.

Daryl New Loc: Wellington,New Zealand

We have both and find both have their uses.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Defiantly a bridge camera - the DSLR folks who look down at this and the other top 3 Bridge class cameras are in denial and or ignorant of the quality and capability of the modes & built-in capability of these wonderful machines.
In short I tell the skeptics I run into - Don't knock it till you know what you are talking about.
I recently turned down the offer of a FREE Nikon DSLR simply because I would have to have spent $1,200 to buy a 18-300 lens plus $$s more for a 2X to get the 28-504 I get with my 5 yr old Lumix FZ18 and then still have an expensive version of the Canon SX40

.

dickhrm wrote:

When I got my my new SX40, I considered it to be a "bridge" camera, yet recently it has been dismissed as a "point and shoot" camera, albeit a good one.

Apparently the term "bridge camera" is becoming out of vogue, with only two basic generic terms used these days: point and shoot and DSLR.

So what is the generic class of my SX40? Thanks.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

dickhrm wrote:

When I got my my new SX40, I considered it to be a "bridge" camera, yet recently it has been dismissed as a "point and shoot" camera, albeit a good one.

Apparently the term "bridge camera" is becoming out of vogue, with only two basic generic terms used these days: point and shoot and DSLR.

So what is the generic class of my SX40? Thanks.

Hey Doc ..... a bridge camera is a point n shoot that has advanced features that a advanced shooter would like to explore like aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual mode .....

..... yes, the SX40 is a bridge camera and it's also called a super zoom for apparent reasons .....

G.Feduccia Loc: Paradise in Florida Panhandle

The Canon SX40 or newer SX50 or Nikon P-510 have capabilities that the cheaper and less advanced DSLR's have and at a bargain price! With one of these great bridge-cameras, one does not have to lug around several lenses and batteries and etc. to get the same picture. Of course, some DSLR lenses may be better, but heck there is a diminishing amount of returns with both photo quality (almost as good) and weight (no comparison when lugging around your neck)as opposed to a DSLR and what you need.

So, don't feel in the minority about using a bridge camera; actually I think they are the wave of the future and thank goodness we have and use them now!

I must say that I am enjoying my Nikon P-510, but I found that I wanted something to carry around all the time, rather than the P-510 around my neck. So, I opted and purchased a Panasonic DMC-SZ7 with 14 mp, and goes from a 35mm equivalent of 25-250mm zoom. Hell, all I need and in a cell-phone belt package, so I can carry it all the time! One never knows when a camera might be handy.

Oh well, Gary

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

G.Feduccia wrote:

The Canon SX40 or newer SX50 or Nikon P-510 have c... (show quote)

Hey Doc ..... be prepared ..... ya never know what ya gonna need .....

G.Feduccia Loc: Paradise in Florida Panhandle

That picture shows what you will need with a DSLR, that a Bridge camera can do!

Gary

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

Instead of "bridge" vs. "point & shoot" how about just calling it "fantastic?" There is so much snobbery ($) out there that someone will always try to make you feel inferior in order to justify spending as much as they did.

I love my SX40 and its versitility. Can't think of any significant reason to spend more.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

djmills wrote:

Instead of "bridge" vs. "point & shoot" how about just calling it "fantastic?" There is so much snobbery ($) out there that someone will always try to make you feel inferior in order to justify spending as much as they did.

I love my SX40 and its versitility. Can't think of any significant reason to spend more.

Hey Doc ..... the SX40 does things that this pro can't even do .....

..... I still use a S3is and only have good things to say about it .....