Wingpilot wrote:
If overall image quality is your desired goal, go for the DSLR. While not as convenient as a bridge camera with its all in one zoom lens, it has a larger, APSC sensor, performs better in low light, depending on the lens or lenses you have or will get. The bridge camera, and you mention the FZ200, is a decent camera, but has some shortcomings. I have that camera and as long as you don't want to make prints larger than 8x10, you're fine, but it has autofocus issues when zoomed out and when trying to focus on low contrast targets, like over water, or the sky. It also struggles in low light situations. As long as you can live with those things, it's a decent camera. You might also consider a mirrorless camera system. If cost is a consideration, it's hard to beat the Sony A6000 with its two kit lenses, the 16-50 and 55-210 zoom lenses. They're not the best lenses in the world, but they're still pretty darned good. It's a very affordable kit. The benefit is that you get the same performance and features of a DSLR, but in a smaller, lighter, less expensive package.
If overall image quality is your desired goal, go ... (
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I have no opinion about the other cameras you mention since I haven't used them, but I definitely want to stand up for the Lumix. Strange, I didn't know about the print size limitation. I've owned an FZ200 since they first appeared and have prints up to poster size in several clients' locations. You're right about the limit on print size if you need to crop very much, so I try to compose in the camera. I looked at the new FZ80 as a replacement, but decided to keep the old Lumix (which at the moment is sitting on a tripod focused on a fountain where blue jays like to bathe; zoomed to 600mm, f2.8 -- [try that with any other camera], 1/500 second at ISO200. At f2.8 the depth of field is so thin that I used manual focus.) The main advantage for me has been its low cost and light weight -- and dependability. When I travel my Nikon with its many lenses often stays at home, although it is definitely much more of a camera than the Lumix. My clients are apparently not purists, since they seem to like my photos and have never asked what kind of camera I used. A picture taken with the FZ200 under identical circumstances to the fountain shot was this one taken of a bird feeder some four years ago.