Bridge Camera Upgrade

[Caravanwalks]

A Newbie here so please be gentle.

Looking for some advice please, I have recently upgraded by Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ7, which gave some great pictures to a FujiFilm S4000. The pictures seem worst on the Fuji than the much older Lumix. I think the S4000 was a big mistake, the focussing is poor, quality of image poor etc.

I am trying to decide what to do, sell the new S4000 and upgrade again to either a Lumix FZ100 or FujiFilm HS20. A bit afraid of the HS20 with the current experience of the S4000. Or I may just go back to the FZ7 and save up for a full DSLR kit potentially second hand with twin lens kit 28-55 70-200.

Any thoughts please

 

[freddisu]

I had a FZ7 then upgraded to a FZ27 , found there was very little difference so i went mad and got a DSLR , one of the main things i noticed straight away was how much faster it was which is great for animal and insect photos I am now getting used to using all the other controls and being able to use a different lens when needed is brill.

 

[Caravanwalks]

Thanks for that, the S4000 seems so much slower that the FZ7 which surprises me. Will keep looking and listening.

 

[eccles]

You appear to have answered your own question. If the Fuji isn't as good as your Panasonic then there's no point in keeping it. My first digital camera happened to be a Fuji bridge and it was great but I've seen some indifferent performers from them as well. My brother-in-law has one, not sure which model, but it's not very good with a lot of purple fringing and poor contrast. The Panasonic FZ7 is a fine camera with very good optics. A friend took one around the antarctic last year and her shots were stunning.

 

[Caravanwalks]

Thanks i think i have the answer but am afraid that I have jumped to conclusion because the fuji is different

 

[Ian D J]

I got meself a Lumix FZ45 as a "carry about" bridge camera and I'm very pleased with it. It has all the settings I need (manual controls, up to 60 secs long exposure, save as RAW, good dedicated battery life and even has auto bracketting). They retail for around £250 in most shops.

I've still got the Fuji S5600 which still does the job, except it lacks the "wide view" lens. I brought the S8000fd as "an upgrade" but was so disappointed with it that I quickly sold it to fund the FZ45 purchase.

To tell the truth, I found myself using the FZ45 more than my D3100 due to the autobracket function needed for HDR photo projects (something I've been into lately).

 

[Caravanwalks]

Thanks i had forgotten about the fz45 another one for the list. I think next week I will do some more test shots with both cameras and then decide