Which Camera?

[bigdave60dog]

I am buying a a new camera for for myself for my Birthday Next week. I do not want to spend much more than £300-00 in total.
Mostly I take pictures of Dawns and Sunsets. My other main requirement is a good fast to use macro facility.
Decent telephoto capability is useful but not paramount and I have never used the video capability on my Cannon 480 yet and probably never will.
My other requirement is lightness and compactness. I tend to keep a camera with me at all times which means that it gets put in pockets, bags, car glove-boxes etc. Get the picture? (poor joke that!) The apparent surfeit of suitable cameras is daunting so I look to you more experienced digital users for advice.
I am sure that there are many Wabbers who have the same requirements and have already successfully faced this dilemma successfully. Please advise.
Dave

[shenk1]

Bridge cameras with a big zoom are probably your best bet but you can get some good results with compact zooms.Check out the Jessops site as they give a good idea of zoom power in the product details (300mm on a compact = 200mm lens on most dslrs).They are not bad for prices too as they have a panasonic tz10 (worth checking) for £209 and tesco are selling it for £330.

shenk1

[bigdave60dog]

Thanks, I have been looking at the "semi pro" bridge types which is where the problems arise. There are so many and price is not always good indicator.
Prior to the advent of Digital cameras I used SLRs and prioritised a quality lens rather than a quality camera in the belief that a camera is only as good as it`s lens. I am sure that this is still true. With the lens permanently fixed to the camera it becomes doubly difficult to decide. Which I suppose is where I need the most advice.

[nigel_b]

I'd buy the Panasonic TZ-10 then put it in your pocket, enjoy it, use it, and forget about all the rest.

You can probably imagine how many photos I've missed through not having the big lump with me when I needed it including a seal at Chapman's Pool a couple of weeks back. How I wished I had a little something with me then.

[wizzo]

Dave, if you can get your hands on a good used model, I'd definately take a look at a Canon G9, G10, or G11. Stunning cameras - you will not be disappointed! Wizzo

[Tringa]

Buy a few photo mags. They often have mini-reviews of many cameras that are good to get a indication of what is liked and what is not. Then have a look in detail at those which look good.

My only experience of bridge cameras is my current one - Panasonic FZ28. It is a compromise, but a very good one. But from what I read there are lots of bridge cameras from many manufacturers that are also very good.

Dave

[bigdave60dog]

Thanks Everyone,
It`s just as I suspected everyone has their favourite. Maybe thee is not that much to choose between them.
I have been homing in on the Cannon "Gs". I can get hold of a G10 for £285 new.
Maybe I should go for it.
Cheers
Dave

[johnf3f]

Originally Posted by bigdave60dog

Thanks Everyone,
It`s just as I suspected everyone has their favourite. Maybe thee is not that much to choose between them.
I have been homing in on the Cannon "Gs". I can get hold of a G10 for £285 new.
Maybe I should go for it.
Cheers
Dave

Can't comment about the G10 but I use a G9 and find it an excellent all round camera that will fit in your pocket. However good though they are they will not hold up against a DSLR with an appropriate lens. It all comes down to budget () and weight!

[bigdave60dog]

Now that you guys have helped me to focus down a bit I am really asking "Which of the bridge cameras has the best quality lens?" meaning the best resolution, light gathering capabilities and colour rendition.

[Cordaline]

I bought myself the Panasonic Lumix FZ38 earlier this year & for me, as a point & shoot bridge camera, it's fantastic!
It has a Leica lens. Highly recommended.
The camera has already been superceeded by the FZ45 which is even better. (Around the £300 mark.)
Macro is brill & the camera is very light.
Good luck with your choice!
(My thread for a camera recommedation went on for pages & pages but I got there in the end with the help & advice from the good people on WAB!)