I know there's a photography thread but I need maximum exposure

I'm not looking to go beyond £130 and I know megapixels aren't the be-all and end-all, but what's your recommendation there? Or at least what I should look out for sensor-wise.


Optical zoom - what's the very least I should be looking for (and size)? I do fancy taking the odd wide-angle shot too.

Screen size - I'm thinking at least three inches, madam.

Cards - anything I should know?

Brands - Recommended and 'avoid like the plague' please.


Any advice and/or links would be greatly appreciated

There's so many variables, it's hard to narrow things down. With the budget you have in mind, you need to consider whether to buy a new entry-level camera that has basic features versus a second hand higher end model.

Why do you want a bridge camera over say a compact camera? Or a travel superzoom?
What will you take photos of?
Is there any feature you would like or want?

As with any camera, the best is the one that you feel you can get comfortable with and can use almost intuitively so go try them out. I love the features search on dpreview.com that allow you to narrow down your choices.

The larger the sensor size, the better the image quality especially when you zoom in. But this is reflected in price and cost.

Might be an idea to note which cameras you're interested in and compare them on dpreview or post up here.

Cheaper "bridge" cameras are essentially compact/superzooms and can be quite nasty so it's worth doing your research. If you're looking for a DSLR-style body then the Pentax X-5 is £130 on Amazon.

Sensor wise I would think in the price bracket you'd be limited to 1/2.3" or smaller anyway so concentrate on other features you're after.

I'm basically looking to take the odd wide shot and be able to zoom in with a reasonable level of clarity, hence considering a bridge camera.

Just so I'm clear, I've no intention of getting into ISO readings and so on! All I want is a camera that does the basics well; I've been looking at the Pentax but I don't want to buy it without looking at other options first, or find there's features I really should have got. That's why I need to know about the bare minimum I should be looking for

Just read a review of the Pentax - it's out, it doesn't seem to do anything especially well.

And now I'm reading about CSCs and interchangeable lenses... I really wouldn't be arsed with all that, I just want whatever gives me the best basics on the cheap! An all-rounder.

I think there are too many variables. I went onto the John Lewis website to see what they had to offer for the price:

Panny DMC-LZ30
Fuji S4800
Nikon Coolpix L330

After reading reviews I'm seeing no reason not to go with this, especially at the price
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/p ... nformation

Full specs here
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/ ... fications/

It would appear to do everything I need it to for about £40 less than comparable models!

It doesn't sound like you know what you are actually wanting. (8+\
We can only help if we know what we are helping with. (8+)
So you know what you don't want "interchangeable lenses" yet you seem to be looking for other "features", which would be … ?

Mark

Those were responses to what folks were getting at, prompting research which gave me links to other stuff.

In terms of features, I don't know what I should be looking for, hence asking!

Anyway, bought the camera above and watched my mother lift it by the lens before I'd even put the batteries in it

Assuming I'm not done for murder, I'll mess about with it tomorrow.

You bought the L820?
The first digital camera I got was a Nikon CoolPix 5700, which is also a bridge camera. Very capable thing for the time (about 2005/6).
Let us know how you get on with yours.

Mark

Yip. Up until now my first and only camera was a compact 2Mp Coolpix of some description - it was that long ago it took a CF card! I still have it somewhere.

Oi! My DSLR uses CF cards! (8+p

Mark

Does it only take photos in black & white?

There is a setting for that. (8+D

Mark