can anyone help me , i'm looking at getting a new digital camera , i can't afford to get a nice SLR like the D40 but was looking at the range between a normal camera and a SLR like the fuji S8000 fd , has anyone used these types. main reason i want the option to adjust ap. and shutter speeds

i found cameras like that to still be slow compared to a proper SLR i had a lumix it was a great camera for still pics but any speed and it struggled i have the nikon D40x and its brilliant it hold its own against my mates £3600 cannon

can anyone help me , i'm looking at getting a new digital camera , i can't afford to get a nice SLR like the D40 but was looking at the range between a normal camera and a SLR like the fuji S8000 fd , has anyone used these types. main reason i want the option to adjust ap. and shutter speeds

 

I'm in the same boat as you by the sounds of things.

My 4 year old Fuji S7000 was 'mislaid' in Cardiff a few weekends ago! :( so am now trying to find a suitable replacement....

 

The range of camera to which you refer are dubbed either 'Bridge' or 'super zoom' cameras because they're not DSLRs but they're not compacts either.

 

FYI, my old S7000s spec was something this:

• 6x optical zoom (35-210mm)
  
• 6.3M pixel
  
• A good selection of manual controls etc
  

(http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/fujifilm/fuji_finepixs7000.asp)

 

Having spoken to a chap in Jessops he suggested the Fuji S8100FD as a suitable replacement.

Having read some reviews though, it seems to be a superior in every way except for actual picture quality!:

For example: http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2008/05/14/Fujifilm-Finepix-S8100fd/p1

So, now I'm not so sure.

 

Anyway, I'm so far tempted by the following:

• Fuji S9600 (excellent pic quality, but no face detect or image stabilisation)
  
• Panasonic Lumix FZ18 or FZ20
  
• Canon Powershot S5 (records video in stereo and allow zooming while recording)
  

(See that Trusted Reviews website for reviews of all the above)

 

There's no way I could afford a DSLR, and they do come with the extra hassle of having to clean the sensor etc which I could do without.

 

This is the daddy camera btw!:

http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/news.phtml/10235/11259/Hasselblad-H3D-II-Digital-Camera.phtml

 

Simon.

I have the Fuji S9600 and Im very happy with it :cool: I'd love a DSLR but If your not a Professional then I see a good bridge camera as offering 95% what a DSLR can but without the hassle or extra cost. I've got myself a Tripod and some filters and Im always learning with it but its still does far more than I could ever ask of it.

 

My wife looked at the Nikon D40x and the Cannon 400d and went for the Cannon and loves it. They are both very good and there is not alot in price but the Cannon had a couple more benefits so she got that.

 

Its not a full blown Pro camera and can still be used as a point and shoot but with very good quality pics that with the right lense will produce anything you want.

I have recently bought the Canon Powershot G9 and can't praise it enough.

 

Check it out, it is bad ass!

I have the Nikon D70 which is an excellent camera - very responsive and great quality pics. It might be worth seeing if you can pick one up secondhand ? This is probably one of the best impartial websites for reviews http://www.dpreview.com Basicallt it all comes down to what applications you want to use it for...

Canon 400d - suberb, much cheaper than the D40 and still a 'proper' SLR...

I've got one of these:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Coolpix-P5100-Digital-Camera/dp/B000VJ2CLU

 

..and it's a great compact camera if you don't want the price tag of a DSLR. It's got loads of features but it is a little slow when compared with the more expensive camera's. Saying that, still preferred it to the D40.

Plus, it's 12MP.

i just got the panasonic FZ8 in the end, a very nice bit of kit and has all the features of a full size SLR http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_fz8-review/

i have used that camera its very good, good choice

I just bought a Fuji S8000fd for £150 as they are being reduced a lot since the S8100 came out in April.

Bargain if you ask me! The only difference is the new one is 10mp instead of 8 but unless you are going to be printing off posters it makes no difference really.

It's a great compromise between a small compact camera and a big old SLR.

I also really like the idea of being able to put normal batteries in it when I'm away from home and the rechargeables have gone flat.

i also looked at the one too, i got the Panasonic due to the fact it takes RAW pic's and you can attached filters etc to the lense and the shutter lag is less paid £150 for it too

the only problem i had with the lumix was the noise, i take my camera to old trafford and under the flood lights my shots were very noisey but apart from that it was very good

took a pic this morning came out really well