Spec me a bridge camera

MichaelAwkward

MichaelAwkward

MichaelAwkward

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In the process of selling my Fuji X camera and lenses because they just don't get used.

I think I'm tired of DSLR/camera systems with interchangeable lenses. My first camera was a Fujifilm S9600 which I found much more enjoyable and convenient to use than any camera since and it took some pretty good pictures.

With this in mind, I've been eyeing up bridge cameras to replace it. My only requirement really is a fairly long zoom range (not the insane superzooms with tiny sensors) and a viewfinder.

At the moment I'm considering the Panasonic FZ1000 and FZ200 (because the FZ300 is only £100 less than the FZ1000 so doesn't make any sense). I haven't really looked at alternatives from other manufacturers but I've heard good things about the Olympus Stylus 1s too and the pocket-able design is appealing.

Usage is mainly holiday photos, family visits, etc. but I'd like to try some plane spotting photos (never got round to it with previous cameras).

Any opinions?
 
Greebo said:
If you cant stretch to it and arguable the best image quality of any bridge camera, have a look at the Sony Cyber-shot RX10

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-cybershot-dsc-rx10


Price seems to have dropped to around £500 now from its almost £1000 launch price (which was just silly)
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Thanks but I didn't consider the RX10 because it doesn't appear to be as good as the FZ1000 and offers a smaller zoom.
 
It is through the range, but so is the Panasonic from 25-140mm. F4 from 140-400mm isn't too bad.

I think I'm settled on the FZ1000 but I need to try one out first. I was just wondering if it's worth twice the price of the FZ200?
 
Hmm, I must have misread somewhere about the 25-140 aperture range. DPreview seems to confirm that it's only f2.8 at 25mm.

I think I would struggle with the RX10 stopping only at 200mm though. Does it have a way of cropping like the Panasonic for extra reach?
 
Yeah I'm leaning towards the FZ1000 over the RX10 when comparing both. They're now around the same price, and whilst the constant aperture of the Sony seems better, I'll prefer the extra reach and the other features of the Panasonic (the folding/tilting screen particularly).
 
Columbo said:
Canon have just released the G3x which has the same 1" sensor as the RX10 and FZ1000 but also has a 24-600mm lens. No viewfinder though and pretty expensive.
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Yeah, that's why I didn't even consider it. No vari-angle tilty screen either and it's only f2.8 at 24mm, rising to f4 by 50mm and 5.6 from 200mm so the Panasonic lens is probably better overall (and can crop to 600mm anyway).
 
So I've had the camera a week or so now. Some thoughts (although I haven't had a chance to take it somewhere to do 'proper photography').

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I don't like EVFs. I don't know what it is, but it's the same feeling I get after spending all day working at my PC, except it happens after minutes.

The lens and sensor is nice, but there is noticeable noise after ISO400. Another issue is that whilst the camera is hefty and solid in the hand, when zoomed in it's tricky to hold steady because there is no weight in the lens itself. IS is working overtime (and boy you can hear it).

In operation there's also a certain slowness that annoys me, just moving around menus and from playback to shooting (another that the lens retracts and extends every time too).

Battery life is also an issue.

So with this in mind I'm going to return it. For the price, it's an excellent camera, and for most people, it'll be a great trade off between convenience and ability. I think, in hindsight, that I'm going to return to where I started: an OVF and APS-C and look at a 2 lens setup (prime + telephoto zoom) to minimise faffing.

Canon 100D w/ 24mm STM and 55-250 STM for £531.55 after cashback seems like a good option.
 
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insane200 said:
The FZ300 is a great little Bridge tbh, It has a very good view finder, touch screen with touch to focus/shoot.

Also has the new 4K photo burst mode which is very good, weather proofed and the f2.8 constant through the zoom.

It's a shame it's not got the 4/3 sensor like the FZ1000 but it's been done for cost, the FZ1000 does not have 4K photo, also no touch screen, not f2.8 constant, and is a lot bigger with a shorter zoom.
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Did you even read the thread? :p

Also the FZ1000 does do 4K photo burst mode and it's sensor is 1" type, not 4/3.
 
insane200 said:
i also found it odd that the zoom only goes to 400mm on photo mode yet in video it will do 500mm.
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4K uses a crop of the sensor, hence its equivalent focal length is 37-592mm I think.

insane200 said:
I haven't read the whole thread no, being lazy :p

Has it been updated then ? as it did not do it when released, it does 4K video with photo mode, but it did not do 4K burst like the new FZ300/G7?GX8 !!

Have you considered the DMC-G7 there is a cash back on it now, and is another great camera, except for the oled view finder you may or may not like.
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Oh I see. No, it doesn't do the 4K Burst of the newer cameras.

I'm not considering any camera with an EVF anymore. I just can't get on with them. Plus, m4/3 doesn't have the lenses I'm considering.

Currently looking at a 100D (owned one before for a little while - really liked it) w/ 24mm and 55-250mm. Canon are offering cash back on all 3 :p and it's still cheaper than just the G7 body.
 
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