Going from DSLR to Bridge

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Neil
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Hi I am considering selling my kit to purchase a bridge camera probally the GH1as I just do not have the time to take any pictures. I also have three kids and when we go out it is too much to keep changing lens etc. When on holiday with all the other stuff we have to carry the camera is just too much and I tend to end up taking less pictures.

I wanted to know has anyone else done this and how did you find the camera and secondly did you regret selling your equipment?
 
Neil, I think by the very fact you are asking the questions about regret that in your heart you know you will miss and regret it, I've thought about it myself, however, why not invest in a good second hand bridge for family days and keep the DSLR for 'your time'? just a thought
 
Could you not just get/ try a super-zoom for your current camera?

I've just picked up a G1 with the 14-45 (so not the 14-140 I guess you're looking at) - my reasons were to use lens adapters and not replace my SLRs, so different to yours.

It's very a nice camera but not really that much smaller than a consumer DSLR, so I'm not sure you'd gain that much and you would lose some SLR features. I'm not sure I could/ would take it anywhere I wouldn't take say a Nikon D5000.

I wonder whether you'd be better keeping the DSLR and going for a true bridge camera or a Canon G11, Panasonic TZ, ... depending on your preference.
 
This sounds like a no-brainer to me. The facts as you state them are simple: your current camera kit is too bulky to carry given your circumstances. The answer is simple. Buy a smaller camera that you *will* carry and use, and you can't go far wrong with a GF1 and 20mm f/1.7.

When I got a G1 I seriously considered selling my D90, but have kept it for the following reasons: a bit more responsive for the bits of sport shooting I do, it takes the 85mm f/1.8 which I couldn't live without, and it has tolerable quality at ISO 3200 for gigs. If I didn't shoot music or need fast long primes the D90 would have gone long ago.

Gone are the holdays when had to cart around a massive DSLR and lens kit (18-200, 35, 85, 10-20), just so I could have everything covered. Now it's just G1 + 20mm = better pictures than ever. Seriously, for travel, I'll never take a DSLR again.
 
450D is a tiny camera in a serious gear world. It looks more like you have a problem with your kit bag and packaging. I would investigate alternative bags first, and perhaps think about a nice prime, something like 85mm f/1.8 and maybe 28mm depending on the use, when you need minimal gear. Bridge cameras will never produce the output like a dslr, and if you care about IQ you will regret it.
 
daugirdas said:
Bridge cameras will never produce the output like a dslr, and if you care about IQ you will regret it.
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Are you sure about this? What I means is, have you photographed the same scene with a D40 and a GF1, with identical settings and equivalent lenses, processed and printed indentically, and then done a double-blind trial as to which is subjectively higher quality?

If not, how have you reached this conclusion?
 
I have the GF1 and 20mm f1.7. I do wonder if the people who say "it'll never match a DSLR" have really tried these cameras.

When I first started using the GF1 I was impressed, not only with the picture quality but also with how much post capture processing the shots can take before they start to fall apart.

Anyone thinking about MFT should try one as should anyone who thinks they'll produce low quality images that'll be outclassed by a DSLR.
 
Samsung NX10 is a small camera. Good reviews on the net.
 
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It seems more & more people are thinking along these lines, I have a 40D & at one time a 70-200 2.8L IS, now the 40D rarely goes out, due size etc, my preferred camera is my TZ7 (had it for 12 mths now), currently trying out a G11, but due to its restricted lens (compared to the TZ7) I doubt I'll keep it in the long term.
Compacts/bridge cameras are just so good now :)
 
I hate the EVF. Simples. This really put me off the Nx10.
 
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Kevin H said:
It seems more & more people are thinking along these lines, I have a 40D & at one time a 70-200 2.8L IS, now the 40D rarely goes out, due size etc, my preferred camera is my TZ7 (had it for 12 mths now), currently trying out a G11, but due to its restricted lens (compared to the TZ7) I doubt I'll keep it in the long term.
Compacts/bridge cameras are just so good now :)
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I have been thinking this way for a few months now, first, I had to come to terms with No DSLR, then a D90. Next I had to get my reasoning right, I like low angle shots, have a dodgy knee, not in my first flush of youth:shrug: geting down and dirty was OK . . . it was the getting up again that presented the problem. So, not a family/child problem but still, size, weight and a swivel screen needed consideration.

First, the swivel screen, go for a D5000, lighter than a D90, but where it matter it is a D90. Then, why carry all these lenses about . . . sold all accept my much loved Nikon 18-70. Got rid of the large camera bag, no lenses now, sorted all the photo detritus down to a cleaning cloth, a polarizing filter and a small notebook. All fit in to a KATA DC 437, which in turn fits into one half of my 'man bag'. Happy bunny:thumbs:

Since then, life has been a bit bumpy. Photography has often had to take a back seat. Re think, I still want a camera with me, I cant abide the hands out 'Thriller' tourist stance. So its a G1 and a 14-45, about 50% of the weight, 75% of the size and it all fits in an even smaller KATA DC 435. Which goes in the man bag.

This is a very recent change, although I have had the G1 for a few months. I look forward to being a foot loose and fancy free tog. Enjoy my picture taking and no pressure . . . :banana:

Sell the DSLR . . . no, I love my D5000, it will come out at the right time . . . I think . . . time will tell?

CJS

PS: Prompted by 'b10at3r' . . . I looked at bridge cameras, no way Hosea!!! . . . not compared with a G1 anyway
 
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There seems to be some confusion about the term 'bridge camera'

A bridge camera is a camera that is styled like a dslr but has a small compact camera sized sensor and does not allow for lens changes due to it's fixed, but usually large range zoom lens. For example a Fuji hs10 or the older s9600.

A GF1 is a micro four thirds interchangeable lens camera, styled like a traditional rangefinder/compact camera. It does not have a viewfinder.

A G1 is a micro four thirds interchangeable lens camera, styled like a dslr. It does have a viewfinder but it is an electronic viewfinder i.e. a small LCD display.

The issue with bridge cameras is that the sensor is so small there is very little control over shallow depth of field/bokeh. Also the fixed lens is generally quite slow, the iso range limited and the whole thing handles pretty sluggishly compared to a dslr.

I would seriously consider a micro four thirds camera as they really do offer comparable IQ to entry and mid range dslrs whilst being small enough to carry everywhere.
:thumbs:

Also the issue for me with an EVF is the lag when panning, the grain/noise when it gains up in low light and the fact it blacks out between shots.

I have a GF1, G1 and a 7d and as much as I try I still can't bear getting rid of the 7d for the optical finder, the high iso, the frames per second, handling and choice of lenses.
 
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Or alternatively put a grip and a 15-85 on your 450D and then marvel about just how small it suddenly seems without the grip and a kit lens on! When I really have to travel light that's what I do and I'm always surprised.
 
Get a used s9600. less than £120, and although it is a similar size to a DSLR, just the fact that you have a fixed lens will mean that you and the kids can use it. And it has a nice twisty zoom, just like the one you are used to and will go to 300mm so you can still catch all the action.

Oh, and a flip out screen, full manual mode, hotshoe, RAW.........
 
I am going through similar thought processes at the moment. I find my D90 is just too much of a lump to carry with me all the time. I previously used a Canon G5 (predecessor of the G11) which was great, in that I could slip it in my pocket. But it still gave me good IQ and pretty much full control and had a hot shoe.

BUT...the big down side of the G5 and any camera with a small sensor is the inablity to control DOF. That was probably the single factor that most influenced me in swapping to a DSLR.

I would love a camera which is small enough to slip in a jacket pocket, but with an APS-C sized sensor.
 
Something like a G1 would be the best option i would have thought?
 
If you are going to get yourself a camera like the Panasonic G1, Samsung NX5 then you may as well stick with the DSLR because you are going to have the same problem - changing lenses.

I'd probably be looking more at the Panasonic TZ-7 or similar - just remember one thing though; these types of cameras never take the shot instantly and to me thats the most important reason to get/keep a DSLR; that shutter clicks the instant you hit the release button.

If your budget can stretch, I would keep the DSLR and then get your hands on a compact camera - if you find that the compact suits your needs then get rid of the DSLR but if it doesnt.. well you havn't just lost all your camera gear due to a 'grass is greener' scenario.
 
How "pocketable" is something like the G1? To me once you have a lens on it doesn't look much smaller than a small consumer DSLR.
 
PatrickO said:
How "pocketable" is something like the G1? To me once you have a lens on it doesn't look much smaller than a small consumer DSLR.
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It is smaller than a DSLR though but still as capable!
 
PatrickO said:
How "pocketable" is something like the G1? To me once you have a lens on it doesn't look much smaller than a small consumer DSLR.
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They're not pocketable -- you might get a GF1 with a pancake in some larger pockets but I still wouldn't class any of these as pocketable. A G11 is about the biggest I'd class as pocketable and even that is on the edge -- the trouble is, there's no real advantage to something being almost pocketable.

Is a D5000 and 18-55 bigger than an G1 and 14-45? ...sure; does it make a difference? ...not really.

They are small, light, have a good set of controls, and with their image processing provide really good image quality. The really big win is you can put pretty much any lens on them and manual focus with surprising ease. ...and get a 2x multiplier on focal lengths, which is great on teles but obviously not so good for the wide end.
 
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"there's no real advantage to something being almost pocketable."

I think that there is.

A GF1 wont fit in a trouser pocket but it'll easily fit in a coat pocket. Mine fits in the pocket of the lightest summer jacket I have and there's no way that a DSLR would. Plus these cameras are small and unobtrusive and in some situations they'll be much more subject or observer friendly than a larger and more obvious DSLR.
 
woof woof said:
"there's no real advantage to something being almost pocketable."

I think that there is.

A GF1 wont fit in a trouser pocket but it'll easily fit in a coat pocket. Mine fits in the pocket of the lightest summer jacket I have and there's no way that a DSLR would. Plus these cameras are small and unobtrusive and in some situations they'll be much more subject or observer friendly than a larger and more obvious DSLR.
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I could probably say the same about a D5000 and a 45/2.8P ;)

...but as Neil (the OP) was talking of needing to change lenses I don't think a prime was plan.
 
What the OP actually says in the OP is that "it is too much to keep changing lenses."

If a prime isn't wanted and Oly and a collapsible lens is quite small too.
 
How many times have we seen this, it seems to become more of an issue every time it appears, bridge and compacts are getting better?:thinking:

I have this going on in my brain at the moment, as I did a few months ago. First why, for me, I have no anorak tendencies, I like taking pictures, but I have 'a life' outside photography. My life is split 4 ways; boats, fishing from my boat, gardening and photography, sorry, 5 ways, work has to come in there:shrug: Non are a passion these days, I just enjoy the variety of the first 4.

I have resolved my needs, for a light photo set up, with versatility? First, the D90/18-200VR was heavy, and whilst the 18-200 ain't a bad lens, covering that range means compromise. A personal issue was my bad knee, I needed a swivel screen for low shots.

Answer, a bridge camera . . . wrong, swivel screens are not so thick on the ground, I know, a side issue here. But the ridiculous super zooms up to X30!!! Impossible to hold still even with VR, therefor needing a tripod, this was all about weight and size . . . :cuckoo: In any case, the small sensor in any of these cameras, just dont cut the mustard when you are used to a DSLR.

I went slightly smaller and 3ozs (100grs) lighter on a DSLR body, D5000 and ditched the idea of a bag full of lenses:gag: Choosing Nikons best kept secret, the 18-70mm-f3.5-f4.5, a peach of a lens. With enough zoom IMHO, drawing on a little thought, leg zoom and the fact that its very sharp, pictures can be cropped to good effect, plus it gets in quite close as well.

Taken with D5000/18-70mm, it will go more croped!
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I then turned my attention to pocket-ability . . . :lol: obviously not practical. So, as I have for years, shouldered a small 'man bag', how about looking at that rout? These days, man bags have laptops, phones, all sorts of detritus for the up and coming executive. All I want is a DSLR, my cheque book, a few bits and bobs . . . cant be that difficult . . . :thinking:

My answer:
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The Man Bag was £12 from the market, tenner just for size. The KATA DC437 is perfect protection and contains, lens cloth, polarizing filter, spar battery, pad and pen and still a little more room. Camera comes out, DC437 stays in the man bag.

The whole takes up just over half the man bags main pocket. If I do feel the need for an extra lens, on a specific outing, I have a 70-300mm in its own pouch, that can be put in the man bag as well. The pockets are all free for my daily living items.

I then came to the issue, smaller, lighter? :bang: A couple of months ago I bought Hazel, my partner a G1. Great camera, small, light, excellent PQ, Hazel is disabled needing a stick and cant stand strait, so the swivel screen was a must, she uses a mono pod as her support stick and we have put a small Ball Head on top. The same setup suits my needs. So I went the KATA rout again, DC435 even smaller than the DC437.

Now I can choose which camera I have in my man bag, when Hazel is about we can share the G1 :love:

Here is a pic of the D5000 and G1 side by side, the significant size difference is the lens. Both cover the same focal length, both are tops on PQ, I also have the 45-200 Panasonic lens, if I want to do the odd, one session long lens bit.

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I can visualise the G1 with a 20mm pancake lens . . . but it so restricting:shrug: If you want a shirt pocket compact snapshot cameras, then I think you have to bite the bullet, accept the compromises a compact imposes. If you must keep the PQ, DOF and most of the various other advantages, D5000/G1 is the way . . . although I think the new Pentax is very small and might do a job.

Well there you go, 'I did it my way' . . . as Sinatra sang.

CJS
 
Thanks all for the replies especially CSJ great write up, I am still undecided going to go out at the weekend and give some others a go. As someone mentioned "in some situations they'll be much more subject or observer friendly than a larger and more obvious DSLR." This is true we had a party at the weekend and my son got more natural shots with his compact than I did. I do also sometimes feel more self concious with it than I feel I would with something like the G1.
 
I think classing micro four thirds cameras as 'bridge' cameras is totally misleading. They are in a totally different class.
 
PatrickO said:
How "pocketable" is something like the G1? To me once you have a lens on it doesn't look much smaller than a small consumer DSLR.
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A G1/G2 with 20mm pancake will easily fit in a jacket pocket, i had a d5000 and d90 and although there doesnt look much difference between the d5000 and the G1 in size, in hand its considerable, weight also plays a factor and the d5000 is much heavier.

Compare a G1 with 20mm prime and a D5000 with 35mm prime and you'll see a big difference in both size and weight for IQ and focal range that are on a par.
 
I would sit back and have a long hard think first... is the problem the size of the camera + lens or is it the changing lenses?

If it's the later then it would be far better to work out which lens will cover the majority of your needs when out, then leave the others at home.

At the end of the day the 450D is not that much larger or heavier than the G1 or GH1 as DSLR's go its only really the olympus 420 thats smaller.
Like it or not there is a difference in both performance and feel to the M43 camera's and of course they still have interchangeable lenses, thus luring you back to changing lenses again, except this time the half decent ones will really hit your pocket as there is no current third party support for the format.

Using a small prime can be good for you, limiting your range makes you move position to get the shot rather than relying on a zoom, and they don't come much smaller or lighter than the 50mm F1.8 which also is dirt cheap and takes very good images.
Or you could go for either or any of these 17-50mm tamron, 28-75 tamron, 28-135 canon IS, all can be picked up for under £300 are light and fairly compact whilst covering a range of uses, the two tamrons being F2.8 throughout their range are particularly handy for indoor shots as well.

I just wouldn't rush into it, I did and ended up going full circle back to a DSLR, but all in all I was out of pocket by nearly £600 by the end of it.
 
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