The term "bridge camera" (Page 6): At one time I taught Computer Science at the college level. I used to specify a particular documentation assignment by saying "pretend you are...

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Dannj wrote:

As for explaining complex subjects, an IT pro once told me he pretended he was talking to his grandmother😊

At one time I taught Computer Science at the college level. I used to specify a particular documentation assignment by saying "pretend you are writing this for your mother" ..... until the semester when my least motivated student was son of my most motivated student.

Expattyke

Thanks for the feedback. Intuitively, the term “bridge camera” meant something more than a very simple point and shoot, and something less than a DSLR or MILC. Use cases might help narrow it down, such as “more portable than an ILC”, or “better optical zoom than a basic P&S”, or “offers manual override of exposure control and focus”. After that it’s down to personal opinion of what qualifies/doesn’t qualify. Some people are more demanding, and have bigger budgets, than others. Others emphasize portability over capability. Finally there are “must have” features, which vary from one person to another, such as “shooting in RAW”, “waterproof”, “4K video”, to name a few.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Dannj wrote:

Glad to hear you received some helpful info! These topics can go off in several directions. As for explaining complex subjects, an IT pro once told me he pretended he was talking to his grandmother😊

😊😊😊😊

Expattyke

Dannj wrote:

Glad to hear you received some helpful info! These topics can go off in several directions. As for explaining complex subjects, an IT pro once told me he pretended he was talking to his grandmother😊

As a retired IT pro, I had another metric “talking to a CEO, extremely demanding, judgmental, and the attention span of a gnat.”

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

As far as I'm concerned, Robert Kincaid used a Nikon F for a bridge camera. That's good enough for me.
--Bob

gvarner wrote:

I always wonder about what a bridge camera "bridges", from what to what. I can see how beginners can become confused, especially if they started out with one and are completely happy with the results. I can understand a distinction between pocket cameras, fixed lens cameras, and system cameras. Oh yeah, and cameras that look like cellphones.

Beenthere

[quote=gvarner]I always wonder about what a bridge camera "bridges", from what to what. I can see how beginners can become confused, especially if they started out with one and are completely happy with the results.

A "Bridge Camera" is an attempt to create an "all-in-one" device spanning P&S to System. I have all three categories, P&S, Bridge and System. I use them as needed, but I sure do miss the days when cameras were just referred to as "cameras." Yeah, I have a cell phone too, but I hate using it to take photos.., after all, it's a dang telephone. However I will admit it is useful in a pinch. That being said, in looking back over my personal photographic history, the best ones were done in the 60s & 70s film days where I had one camera, one lens (it's what I could afford) and concentrated on trying to get the best photos I could. Apparently that worked.., and without a complicated menu too.

OK, I did try developing and printing my stuff, so had to eventually spring for an enlarger and chemicals as well.., but that was the fun part. Sorry for the "mini rant."

MW

gvarner wrote:

I always wonder about what a bridge camera "bridges", from what to what.

When I hear the term I think of something that looks sort of like a smallish DSLR but you can’t change out the lens. “Bridge” is, I suspect”, a marketing expression based on the hope that after using one of these in lieu of a mobile phone the owner will cross the bridge to a DSLR.

DocDav Loc: IN

CHG_CANON wrote:

What is in a name? Would a rose smell so sweet if not captured in its full frame glory?

or even a cropped sensor?

MoT Loc: Barrington, IL

The thing is whatever you call it the bridge cameras are popular and there where times that I left my Nikon Equipment at home due to weight and used a Pana FZ-1000 and brought home beautiful images.

azdustdevil

The term "bridge camera" is a manufacturer's marketing term. It's aimed at people who are terrified at the thought of even holding a full featured DSLR or SLR but would love to have something with a zoom lens that's much more limited in functionality but also much more simple to use. I don't recommend them.

apitic Loc: Down Under

Google explanation: - The phrase "bridge camera" has been in use at least since the 1980s, and continues to be used with digital cameras. The term was originally used to refer to film cameras which "bridged the gap" between point-and-shoot cameras and SLRs.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

CHG_CANON wrote:

What is in a name? Would a rose smell so sweet if not captured in its full frame glory?

Would a skunk?

Auerbach Loc: Chappaqua, New York

That’s odd, I always thought that it was a technical term used by civil engineers who built bridges to take photos of their work. Thank you for clarifying my ignorance. BTW, compare an RX 100 mvii to an early RX 10 and then explain to me the difference between a P&S and a Bridge. Or is that one just “too far”?

MartyfromWNY Loc: Rochester, NY

My recollection is that when these things hit the market they were called "superzooms." That word seemed to disappear after a while and was replaced by bridge cameras.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

gvarner wrote:

I always wonder about what a bridge camera "bridges", from what to what. I can see how beginners can become confused, especially if they started out with one and are completely happy with the results. I can understand a distinction between pocket cameras, fixed lens cameras, and system cameras. Oh yeah, and cameras that look like cellphones.

It's a bridge between point and shoots and DSLRs or mirrorless.