Beginner Compact Cameras for nature?

[AndrewFlannigan]

this is a slippery slope....tread carefully and understand that whatever you buy on a budget it's not going to produce those amazing images that you might have seen.

That is going to depend a lot on the photographer.

I've seen very interesting images made with surprisingly inexpensive kit. At the end of every day, it's the photographer and not the camera. People who claim that you need to spend a lot of money to make good pictures really do a disservice to newcomers

 

[TimHughes]

That is going to depend a lot on the photographer.

Agreed

I've seen very interesting images made with surprisingly inexpensive kit.

Agreed

At the end of every day, it's the photographer and not the camera.

Not entirely agreed. Physics plays a part and for some applications, you simply do need gear to get quality results. Long lens wildlife photography is one of those applications. But accepted, this might not be the application the OP is thinking of.

People who claim that you need to spend a lot of money to make good pictures really do a disservice to newcomers

I'm flagging it in case long lens high-quality images are what the OP is looking for to avoid disappointment. You are right that there are many other types of nature photos that do not need a lot of money.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

I'm flagging it in case long lens high-quality images are what the OP is looking for to avoid disappointment.

You're quite right to do so.

The OP has been quite clear that his needs are modest, at the moment, so I've done my best to guide him towards something that meets those needs. With luck, he'll soon be able to make some decisions based on his own experience.

 

[Crotal Bell]

this is a slippery slope....tread carefully and understand that whatever you buy on a budget it's not going to produce those amazing images that you might have seen.

Wise words. I can't afford DSLR, but as a person who has only used a smartphone for the last few years, I think a bridge camera will make me very happy. I'll manage my expectations though, and just try to have fun.

 

[Crotal Bell]

You're quite right to do so.

The OP has been quite clear that his needs are modest, at the moment, so I've done my best to guide him towards something that meets those needs. With luck, he'll soon be able to make some decisions based on his own experience.

You've been very kind and helpful Andrew, after after careful consideration, it will be a bridge camera. The Lumix FZ82 has 4K video, not something I had really considered, but having seen a few videos of it on You Tube, that is also something I think I will enjoy as a bonus on this little all-rounder. DSLR is just too expensive at the moment, and as a smartphone user I am sure a bridge camera will make me very happy.

 

[Crotal Bell]

I think that's a fair and honest assessment but stay with my for a moment...

Sensor size and lens zoom range and quality could well come into this. Some bridge cameras have the same sized sensor as a the small sensor compact but they could still off you better handling and possibly a better lens too but in a larger package. In your place I think I'd start by taking a look at 1" sensor bridge cameras as the image quality is likely to be a step up from the small sensor compacts and bridge cameras. If you find the prices too high then maybe look at a smaller sensor bridge.

For 1" sensor bridge cameras Panasonic and Sony make some of the front runners but there may be others I don't know about. There are a couple of threads about them on this site and maybe you can search for them or even better some of the contributors may provide links.

One thing I would advise you to do, well two things actually, read the manual and read up of the exposure triangle of aperture, shutter speed and ISO and perhaps tag depth of field and perspective onto the list of things to read up on.

Good luck choosing and I hope you'll come back and show us some of those bird and bunny pictures

I think the Panasonic Lumix FZ82 has won me over, and there's a lot of good tutorials about to help me with that one too.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

I am sure a bridge camera will make me very happy.

I hope it will. I hope you won't forget to come back and post lots of pictures!

 

[Crotal Bell]

I hope it will. I hope you won't forget to come back and post lots of pictures!

I will Andrew. Obviously there won't be many threads that I can add value to on this forum, but I would like to post some images and show people how I'm progressing.

 

[Cobra]

Obviously there won't be many threads that I can add value to on this forum,

All images are valued on the forum, and if you need help, if you ask for it, your'll get it

 

[Crotal Bell]

All images are valued on the forum, and if you need help, if you ask for it, your'll get it

Thanks Cobra. That's why I love forums