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What's Best Superzoom Bridge Camera? (2 Viewers)

C

Claymore

Well-known member
Hi,
I am thinking of buying a Superzoom Bridge Camera to keep in car and next to my lounge window (fed up of missing shots because the 1dmk2 needs setting up):C
What's the BEST available? not bothered about price but here's what features I want.

1: Longest zoom range
2: Large Tilting lcd screen
3: Image Stabilising or anti shake (I have severe RSI so need this)
4: Raw
5: Video HD if possible
6: chunky size as i have large hands:t:
7: able to add T'Con 17 if possible
8: 10mp min
9: remote control (infra red or wired)
10: filter thread
Right any idea's which models have most if not all these features?
Get your thinking caps on;)
Cheerio
Brian
Ps reason I want one is missed a cracking shot today of a Buzzard attacking a Hare in our field approx 25ft away:eek!::C
 
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One part I do not understand is your demand for a high Mpix number. With bridge cameras, you want a lower number if available, because the quality per pixel is better. I would recommend you look at the Panazonic; I have the FZ18 now superceeded by the FZ28. If you are used to the quality of a dSLR, you may want to look at the Fuji FinePix S100fs for its large sensor. Also look at the Canon bridge cameras SX1 or SX10.

With bridge cameras, Raw is generally slow and you may want to consider using these in jpg mode and do the best processing you can on those.

Niels
 
Might seem a bit of a strange answer to this asmy knowledge of cameras is ropey it may be of not much use...but here goes

On QVC UK [shopping channel] they have the Fuji S1500 10MP Bridge Cameras for sale. It does fill quite a few of your wants....But the thing I thought about was with QVC you get a 30 day money back guarantee which allows you to use it and if not up to what you require you return it [you pay for the postage back] and get the purchase price [minus original postage back]..There customer services is UK based and really good. If you have not purchased before they just take down name address, payment and it is with you normally in 5 to 7 days
.
Here is a link
http://www.qvcuk.com/ukqic/qvcapp.aspx/app.detail/params.item.561243

and a review with a few more details what it has
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/...pix-s1500-with-fujinon-12x-optical-zoom-lens/
 
I reckon that the Canon SX1 IS ticks most (if not all) of those boxes, and from reviews it seems to be a good camera, but don't expect the image quality to come close to that of your 1D mkII.
 
postcardcv said:
I reckon that the Canon SX1 IS ticks most (if not all) of those boxes, and from reviews it seems to be a good camera, but don't expect the image quality to come close to that of your 1D mkII.
Click to expand...

Aye, I'm leaning towards to SX1 IS, like you say ticks most of the boxes and beats the Sony by having the remote function:t: that way i can take my shakey hands off and still fire! sounds ideal and should do the job;)
The 1dmk2 will take some beating but like I said its too much messing about for getting a quick shot.
Thanks for all your help guys
Cheerio
Brian:t:
 
postcardcv said:
Out of interest why is the mkII too much messing about when you want to grab a shot?
Click to expand...

I am disabled and cannot walk very well and have the mk2 set up on a tripod/wimberley/sigmonster and my lounge overlooks our fields on 3 sides and basically its too heavy for me to pick up and move across the room quickly. I usually use it out on my raised patio which overlooks our woods/fields seated. To be honest I really shouldn't have bought the big set-up as I hardly use it:-C but when I sold my bikes I thought i'd splash out on it to see if I can use it but like I say my health has got much worse than expected so will probably sell the lot after this summer.
One thing i have considered is a Quad for on our land with a tripod mount:eek!: I could then be more mobile and venture into our wood:t:
Thing is you never know what will work until you give it a go? my wife is very understanding with my toys (good job) so lets me get on with it;)
Until i had to retire I had a good job and lots of hobbies to pass the time and its hard to just sit and do nowt nowadays?
Hence reason for lighter gear.
Cheerio
Brian
 
Claymore said:
I am disabled and cannot walk very well and have the mk2 set up on a tripod/wimberley/sigmonster and my lounge overlooks our fields on 3 sides and basically its too heavy for me to pick up and move across the room quickly. I usually use it out on my raised patio which overlooks our woods/fields seated.
Click to expand...

That makes sense, I was wondering if a smaller DSLR body and a zoom (like the 100-400) might have done the job, but probably not. Here's an idea, perhaps you could get a dolly for your tripod so you can move it around more easily - http://www.warehouseexpress.com/search/Default.aspx?q=dolly just a thought...
 
I've just got the Canon SX1 IS after a couple of years with a Fuji S8000fd - main reason was the general speed of the Canon especially the zoom.
It's packed with mad features some of which are actually useful - you can zoom the AF area which aids ID at long range.
I like the swing out LCD.

It's a chunky lump though - no pocket lightweight.

Lensmate make a threaded adapter for filters.

The EVF is awful as are all in this type of camera (I own a Nikon D70 DSLR) but the camera suits my needs...long zoom, quick (for a digital) and very easy to use.
 
I would not call the panazonic FZ18 EVF awful; not quite as great as the one in my old minolta film SLR, but usable. Before deciding on a camera, do your best to get your hands on one in a shop, so you can judge for yourself. The better the selection the better.

Niels
 
For me, the vari-angle LCD is a must-have if you want HD Video. It was the primary reason I chose the SX1 over the FZ28. The SX1 EVF viewfinder is also much better if you shoot in wide 16:9 mode. This cropped mode has some benefits in that you get a slightly longer focal length, 580mm vs 560mm, native image quality rez ideal for display on today's widescreen monitors/TV with no resizing, and smaller file size. Also when you shoot 16:9 HD video, you can use the built-in digital 2x TC with NO LOSS in image quality.

Finally, if your close-up vision is good it really is not much of a stretch to kick the EVF viewfinder "habit" in favor of using the far-superior LCD. Simply bring the camera up to your eye as you normal would, with the left palm supporting the camera and elbow tucked into the chest, but stop and hold about 6" away. After an afternoon shooting this way it will become second nature.

cheers,
Rick
 
Last edited:
RJM said:
For me, the vari-angle LCD is a must-have if you want HD Video. It was the primary reason I chose the SX1 over the FZ28. The SX1 EVF viewfinder is also much better if you shoot in wide 16:9 mode. This cropped mode has some benefits in that you get a slightly longer focal length, 580mm vs 560mm, native image quality rez ideal for display on today's widescreen monitors/TV with no resizing, and smaller file size. Also when you shoot 16:9 HD video, you can use the built-in digital 2x TC with NO LOSS in image quality.

Finally, if your close-up vision is good it really is not much of a stretch to kick the EVF viewfinder "habit" in favor of using the far-superior LCD. Simply bring the camera up to your eye as you normal would, with the left palm supporting the camera and elbow tucked into the chest, but stop and hold about 6" away. After an afternoon shooting this way it will become second nature.

cheers,
Rick
Click to expand...

Thanks Rick, It certainly has some interesting features, I understand what you say regarding the LCD and it would be easier for myself. Regarding the HD video how easy is it to edit the video into small clips and then merge into one file and then copy to dvd?
I am going up to Glasgow at the weekend as we don't have any camera shops here (I live out in the wild) and hopefully I can try a few models out and splash the cash;)
Thanks everyone for your help
Cheers
BrianB :)
 
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