Best Bridge (superzoom)?

Words · #1 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 09:04 PM

Serious question, and I've read most of the previous threads. I'm looking to get a new bridge camera (I have an old Canon S2 IS) to sit alongside my 40D. Reason is that the 40D is too big for a daily commuter run but I hate to be without a camera. Cost not a consideration. Quality of image is. Main use will be urban wildlife (central London).

I'm tempted (obviously) by the Panasonic FZ-series (45 or 100), but should I be looking at anything else?

diggleken · #2 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 09:11 PM

depends what you want to use it for!
This may help if you havent seen it already.................. AND consider fuji finepix HS10.
Lumix FZ45
And........I'll follow this with interest, I still havent bought mine yet!

Cheers
Ken

Words · #3 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 10:29 PM

Thanks Ken. Will add the HS10 to the list to check out. No idea yet what subject matter will be (hence the desire not to lug a macro, 17mm, and 400mm lens around with me). Plenty of pigeons for sure, and not too far from Regents Park, so maybe some herons.

squishy · #4 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 10:00 AM

wait for the new canon Sx30IS?

apparently it's going to have a 24-840mm lens.

glsammy · #5 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 12:14 PM

I'm also considering getting something similar for exactly the same reason. So far my favourite is the Panasonic TZ10. It always does very well in reviews, both for image quality and features.
One such feature is the GPS locator, which adds to any image exactly where and when it was taken. A decent zoom range, 25-300mm. The GPS does have an impact on battery life, but you can always switch it off when not needed.
I noticed Fuji has just released a new one, their F300EXR, which as an even larger zoom range of 24-360mm. Not so sure on image quality for that one though as the samples I've seen don't seem to hot, but it has some nifty EXR features which sound very interesting.

Paul Iddon · #6 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 12:18 PM

Jessops have just got the new SX30 IS in some of their stores - excellent spec and as mentioned above, a massive zoom. Looks like it is gonna be a corker this one.

Paul.

Words · #7 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 12:27 PM

Graham, the TZ10 has a nice price/spec but I'm absolutely useless lining up shots via a screen so a proper (or at least electronic) eye-viewer is essential.

I read some iffy reports of the Sx30IS, but will check further. Maybe is was just the lack of raw format on the Canon, but I want to check burst rate and shutter response, noise etc before jumping.

glsammy · #8 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Words

Graham, the TZ10 has a nice price/spec but I'm absolutely useless lining up shots via a screen so a proper (or at least electronic) eye-viewer is essential.

I read some iffy reports of the Sx30IS, but will check further. Maybe is was just the lack of raw format on the Canon, but I want to check burst rate and shutter response, noise etc before jumping.

Good point, but I want something small that will easily fit into my pocket so that usually excludes an eye viewer.
Another one I'm looking at is the Casio EX-FH100. What I like about that one is the high speed shooting modes, making for some interesting options for slow motion movies. That got a good review at the Review Centre.

Words · #9 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 03:29 PM

Graham, I'd forgotten about the Casios. I remember reading good things when they came out. Hmmm.... plenty to ponder.

Words · #10 (**permalink**) 01-10-2010, 07:48 AM

I've been looking again at the Sx30IS spec. Weak point is continuous shooting... only around 1 shot per second (in AF mode only 0.6 shots/sec). The FZ100 is the class leader here with around 11 shots a second in burst mode (and up to 60 shots per second in high-speed mode, though at lower resolution). Still pondering though!