Amateur going from DSLR to bridge?

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flahbah

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Hey, I've been using a Sony A200 for the past year or so. I really love the shots it is able to take but I always come across those moments when I'm not lugging it about that it could make a perfect picture, or video.

I've been doing a bit of research and found the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 bridge camera, from what I've seen it can take a good photo and has fairly decent HD video recording.

Anyway my question is will I notice any significant difference between my current A200 (which I would sell) and the FZ38? I'm far from a professional photographer, it's more of a hobby. Or is it worth keeping the A200 (or maybe buying a Canon or Nikon which has a variety of lenses?). The main appeals I am having towards a bridge camera is the reduced size and the video capacities.

Sorry if this topic seems all muddled, I'm very indecisive :) Cheers.
 
Welcome flahbah!

First of all, what do you like to take pictures of?
 
It's an issue that many togs debate about...

For me the Panasonic isn't significantly smaller than the A200, not so much that you could put it in a pocket etc anyway..

How about considering something like the Canon G10/G11 or Panasonic LX3.

In good lighting you'll not notice a major difference on small-ish prints, it's the high iso shots where DSLRs still completely outclass P&S/compacts

Just my thoughts !!

Simon
 
Maybe look at the microfourthirds cameras (Panasonic GF1 etc., Olympus E-PL1 etc.). They have interchangeable lenses, DSLR quality, video and AF performance better than the FZ-38. They are also very small and light. I think the Canon/Nikon is a red-herring for you - you're still looking at a DSLR and heavy like your Sony...

Andy
 
Hello, welcome to TP! Interestingly I've just gone the other way, had a Panasonic bridge for three years but am now desperate to be able to change lenses so picked up a 400d from the lovely Phil on Saturday :lol:

my bridge is an fz-50 so looks, feels and weighs like a DSLR - but the picture quality's brilliant and i can't fault the camera, apart from not being able to switch lenses. think andy's suggestion is a good one, or perhaps look at one of the lumix compacts, which seem very capable. (sadly my little one got stolen a year or so ago but it performed brilliantly for those moments i didn't have the big bridge with me) :D
 
I came to dslr from bridge (olympus sp570-uz) and couldnt go back though the oly served me well.

Pesonally i didn't like electronic viewfinders which is why i made the move up,my daughters b/f has a panasonic fz and gets some great shots but he is shortly going to change to one of the new oly/fuji/nikon superzoom bridge cameras that are about to arrive soon.

I found the af on my dslr much quicker than that on my bridge camera
 
Cheers for the responses guys.

Nifkin - Generally really anything but I do like macros and close up nature shots.

Simon - The G10/G11 seem a little expensive, I was hoping to keep the costs under £250 or so. However the Panasonic LX3 does look pretty good, I'll do a bit of research into that.

Andy - The bridge cameras with interchangeable lenses were one of the first types of cameras I looked into but again they're quite a big margin out of my budget, sorry should have mentioned that in my original post. I will give them a bit more research though, the extra £200 or so may pay of well for me.

Creamykiwi - Haha I guess there's a lot of curiosity to try other types both ways. Lumix compacts are seeming like my second choice now.

Gerrad - That's interesting, I did look through an EVF in a camera shop a while back and I didn't really like it too, but maybe I would use the screen more. Hm it does seem like it would be better to stick with DSLRs to take better pictures but the benefits that bridges bring are quite appealing to me.

Cheers again for all your suggestions, I think I will look into some of the more expensive bridge cameras and maybe even compacts.
 
I have an FZ28, the one before the 38 and am very happy, its light weight and the image quality is good in my opinion, but I am fairly new to photography. It does start to suffer from noise when you go above 400 or 800.
 
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