Help my wife wants a Bridge Camera

DayDreamer

DayDreamer

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She has tried my Panasonic G2 but not enough zoom but likes the bigger size.

She has also tried my Fuji X10 but again not enough zoom and finds it too small as she has Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and the ends of her fingers are numb.

So with a maximum budget of say £200 do you have any suggestions based of a bridge camera you own. I have checked the usual review sites but would like to add the real experience of folks on this forum.

The £200 should come from selling on the G2 which is about two months old and virtually unused. I know the G2 can take zoom lenses but I don't wish to spend money on that and put up with the faffing around :shake:
 
Have a look at the Panasonic FZ range. I'm not sure what the current models are, but they're excellent bridge cameras.
I still use my FZ7 regularly even though it's over 6 years old.
 
Mandoo said:
Have a look at the Panasonic FZ range. I'm not sure what the current models are, but they're excellent bridge cameras.
I still use my FZ7 regularly even though it's over 6 years old.
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Yes I bought my son a FZ18 which he still owns and has added a Canon 550 to it. The current one seems to be a FZ48 which is about £25 over budget but I can guess I can stretch :eek:
 
Take a look at the reviews of the Fuji S9600. The right ups are superb and I have only praise for this camera, which I bought from new and it's still as good as it ever was. As a bridge camera it is superb, but perhaps a little complicated if you only need a point and shoot. I have one of these on offer on this site in 'Other Cameras'.
 
Lumix (Panasonic) TZ range are good. I have a TZ7 which has a focal range of 24-270mm 35mm equivalent). Would be about £100-£120 used I reckon. Main flaw is a lack of manual exposure control, but I think the newer models have changed that.

They're reasonably large for compacts, which might put some off but good for handling.

Also look at superzoom 'bridge' cameras - will be similar to G2 in size but much bigger zoom due to smaller sensor size.
 
Sorry, just saw you specified bridge in your OP. Too many beers...
 
Well yesterday I took delivery of my new Fuji finepix s4200 and love it so far ! If it stays dry Sunday am taking it to the air show at Cosford all being well so can give it a bash then.
However I don't know if it would suit your wife's requirements !
 
I realize is a touch more than you want to pay, but Canon G12 maby...offering great creativity and adjustment, but also a good and smart point and click.
 
alexam said:
Take a look at the reviews of the Fuji S9600. The right ups are superb and I have only praise for this camera, which I bought from new and it's still as good as it ever was. As a bridge camera it is superb, but perhaps a little complicated if you only need a point and shoot. I have one of these on offer on this site in 'Other Cameras'.
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Yes I agree an excelleant camera in its day. But I really need to get a new one but good luck with your sale :thumbs:

Llamaman said:
Lumix (Panasonic) TZ range are good. I have a TZ7 which has a focal range of 24-270mm 35mm equivalent). Would be about £100-£120 used I reckon. Main flaw is a lack of manual exposure control, but I think the newer models have changed that.

They're reasonably large for compacts, which might put some off but good for handling.

Also look at superzoom 'bridge' cameras - will be similar to G2 in size but much bigger zoom due to smaller sensor size.
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I had a TZ8 which was very good in good light but very poor indoors unless using flash. That size was also too small for my wife but thanks for replying :thumbs:

Llamaman said:
Sorry, just saw you specified bridge in your OP. Too many beers...
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Thank goodness I don't drink :lol::lol::lol:

salop sniper said:
Well yesterday I took delivery of my new Fuji finepix s4200 and love it so far ! If it stays dry Sunday am taking it to the air show at Cosford all being well so can give it a bash then.
However I don't know if it would suit your wife's requirements !
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It would be good if you can report back on how you get on and a few samples would be really good :thumbs:

deadalus3000 said:
I realize is a touch more than you want to pay, but Canon G12 maby...offering great creativity and adjustment, but also a good and smart point and click.
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When I bought my X10 the G12 and Nikon P7100 were on my shortlist of three. All really good cameras but G12 5x zoom is not really enough and even though they are chunkier, than many pocketable compacts, they are still not as chunky as the G2 or other bridge style cameras.



Thanks all for replying and additional suggestions welcome.
 
Have a look at the Fujifilm website they do refurb cameras including bridge models. They had a HS20 for £199. Might be worth a look.

We have bought a couple over the years from them and they are like new.
 
Hi Doug

Should of thought to look on there :bonk:

I bought my X10 from there in April and as you say imposible to tell from new. There are also 10% off vouchers so an extra bit off :clap:
 
I've not used Fuji' before, but they do seem to have a pretty good reputation and if you can get a few quid off by going through the refurb store, even better.
 
I had a few Panasonic Lumix FZ's before coming to a dslr. IIRC I had the 20, 30 , 38 , 50 and they were all very good. One of them had a manually operated zoom which was brilliant and made the battery last a lot longer. If I didn't have the gear I have now I'd have another straight away.
 
An update and this, which I just posted on the X10 thread, sums it up but not sure if I am happy for her even though she seems happy?

"Just bought my wife a Nikon L120 a small bridge like camera. Bargain at Argos at £130 BUT ....... after taking a look at the first batch of shots and looking at those the X10 takes how can I make a sensible evaluation of the L120 as the X10 images as so so much better?

Bought via Argos web site so could send back under DSR and whilst my wife says she is happy with the camera it sure wouldn't do for me.

But getting her something below £200 which she can use having numb finger ends (Carpel Tunnel Syndrome) has been the challenge? "
 
Its a tough one, but if your wife is happy I'd be tempted to leave it be. She's the one that's going to be using it and if she's happy that's all that really matters. The photo's may not be the best in the world, but as long as they're good enough for your wife's use, that's all that matters.
 
Photography is a pain in the ****-it :lol:

In my mind 1 and 1 is 2. In other words I like things to be precise and that ain't the case when inspecting the pictures (or your wife's pictures) and comparing them in your mind with how you feel they should be.

I ought to take another hobby up but what :thinking:
 
The trouble you've got is that you're comparing the L120 to your X10 and its just not going to match up. The X10 is a brilliant camera and as you're more experienced with photography than the wife, you're going to be more critical. Taking the L120 in its own right and looking at what the wife wants to use it for, I'm sure it'll be fine.
Plus, its always better to keep the wife happy. I know how much us women can nag!! :D
 
Mandoo said:
Its a tough one, but if your wife is happy I'd be tempted to leave it be. She's the one that's going to be using it and if she's happy that's all that really matters. The photo's may not be the best in the world, but as long as they're good enough for your wife's use, that's all that matters.
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She's been sitting down looking through today's pictures and a lot of older ones I took with various (none DSLR) cameras. And she is also not too impressed with IQ of the Nikon so back to the drawing board. And Nikon will now go back under the DSR 7days rule.

So far I have the Panasonic FZ48 in mind but struggling to add to this very short ( :lol: ) short list.
 
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Nikon L120 gone back this morning and refund given.

Could do with a few days off from cameras as they can drive you nuts :cuckoo:

But thanks for the help so far :thumbs:
 
johnb said:
Just put a Panny FZ-100 on the For Sale forum :shrug:
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My wife wants brand new and after taking a quick peep earlier she feels the FZ48 is the absolute maximum size/weight. So will let it simmer for a few days before jumping in too soon.

I wish you well with your sale though :thumbs:
 
DayDreamer said:
Nikon L120 gone back this morning and refund given.

Could do with a few days off from cameras as they can drive you nuts :cuckoo:

But thanks for the help so far :thumbs:
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Phew! At least she did all her pixel peeping while you still had time to return it. Hopefully after you've taken a break from it all for a few days you'll be able to find what you need without too much stress. :thumbs:
 
I have a fuji finepix S2950 which i would say is a good all rounder with a good zoom not sure how much they are though but im sure it was around the £150 mark.
 
Thanks for all input and decision is made (for now :lol: ) It will be a Panny FZ48.
 
Just to give an update!!!

Quite a few weeks ago we bought a Sony HX20V but after a few day sent it back to Amazon as we just weren't happy with the IQ. On landscape shots, for which it will be mainly used, there was a smudged appearance to trees in the distance. Did a Google search and found it mentioned negatively a lot :(

So back to the drawing board and we bought a Panasonic TZ30 a couple of weeks ago and are happy with it. Not a bridge camera, as was the first intention, but gives very good IQ and a good zoom with good IS.

So there and thanks again for all your help :thumbs:
 
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