My dilemma with Bridge vs. DSLR just got more complicated :)

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pirespt

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I’ve been reading lots on TP and before I went out on Saturday I was pretty keen on a DSLR but like advised I had to handle them to choose the best for me.

I’ve been thinking that a superzoom lens with a DSLR would be the best for me.

So this was what I had in mind to try out

Canon – 1000D, 450D, 500D
Nikon – D3000, D3100, 5000D

Bridge:

Panasonic – FZ45, FZ100
Fujifilm – HS10
Canon – SX20 IS
Nikon – P100

So I went to Jessops near Tottenham Court Road and handled the Canons first, they didn’t have the 450D but I grabbed a 500D and a 1000D and my first thoughts were – “wow they are big, and with only 18-55mm lens”, it may be worth to say that I’m ‘6 foot and I have big hands, not humongous, but big. Then I tried the Nikons and again I was stunned, for similar sizes the Nikons weight a lot more than the Canons and they didn’t have the D3100 unfortunately. So I made my way to the bridge section, first in line, HS10, the manual ring is something that really captivates me, but as soon as I started twisting the ring I noticed that your finger will be stopped by the flash directly above and that for me would be annoying. Then I grabbed the Canon SX20 the swivel screen is great but the camera looks a bit outdated and it is very heavy for a bridge camera.
Then on the list was the Nikon P100 but it looked very tiny so I didn’t care to try it out, finally I tried the FZ45 and of all of them was the one that felt better for me the feel of the plastic and the rubber grip were very comfortable, but I like the swivel screen on its bigger brother the FZ100 and as such I think I’ll wait until I can try one also Canon will be coming out with a replacement for the SX20 IS this September and hopefully I’ll get to try that one as well.

This is my plan but my brother in law will lend me his 1000D for a week at the end of September and that may make things even more confusing.

Feel free to comment

Thanks for reading
 
if you're after small, considered the Panasonic G1?
 
The G1 is small, but the superzoom lens (14-140) is expensive. That said, you can get the 14-45 and 45-200 for a lot less....
 
I too had a play with the HS10 today.

I agree with what your saying about the zoom ring and the flash. However, considering the small level of twist you need to zoom, particularly at the long end, I don't think it would be something that would bug me.

Considering how good it seemed to be when I was having a play, i wouldn't worry about it.

Even with just a 5 minute play I was really impressed by it and for sub £300, it is a hell of a lot of camera for the cash.

It also has a flip out screen.

HTH
 
just my 2 pence worth but i think dslr is def the way to go, i felt limited by my bridge camera and its small sensor, that was the nail in the coffin for me and since getting my dslr i have not looked back, the bridge cams are good dont get me wrong its just that the dslr gives you more scope to play around but that said its all about what you need from it and how the different cameras feel in your hands
 
i have been in a similar position and have still not made my mind up.

If I buy an FZ45 or FZ100 i would need to buy an SLR with 2 or 3 lenses to get the equivalent range - thats fine about from cost and lugging the things around :(
 
I would agree, the Canon's are both small and light, in fact that's precisely why I chose the 500D, I can actually manage its weight with a decent lens attached.
In fact the 500D with a 50mm F1.8 will fit in the palm of my hand and is so light I can manage it one handed.

Coming from compacts and small bridge camera's they can seem large but as said compare the Canon's with the larger and heavier camera's such as those listed or even the Pentax camera's and you will see they aren't that big or heavy after all.
 
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