Super compacts or bridge?

[stealthwolf]

Quite a few camera buffs here so thought I'd pick a few brains. Have a simple point-and-shoot but want to upgrade. Toyed with the idea of dSLRs but think it'a overkill for what I need, though Deako's camera sale thread has been very tempting.

I was originally thinking of bridge cameras like the Panasonic FZ series and the Fuji cameras. Quite taken by the hs20exr and the panasonic Dmc-fz100. But someone pointed out to me that a high end "compact" might be what I need. Am quite taken by the canon G12 too.

Budget is around £350. What would you recommend?

[Hedge]

I have been looking at these. There are some stand outs here. Canon Powershot S95 and G12, Panasonic Lumx LX5.

All are a muchness but they all shoot RAW and can be used in manual. I don't think any would disappoint.

[rich83]

G12 is a fraction over your budget but its a belting camera.  

I took this photo with my G12... you wouldnt know that it wasnt a DLSR photo unless you looked.



The Nikon P7000 is a similar camera, fits your budget too and gets good reviews

[stealthwolf]

Happy to stretch to around £400. Just want a decent camera for the price. A few user reviews have compared the g12 and LX5 and found preferred the canon.

Think I might go into Jessops and play around with some of them. Are there any I should put on my list?

[rich83]

Good idea to go and have a play.

I think the LX5 is more of a good compact, where as the G12 in my opinion is a small DSLR.

[stealthwolf]

What about the GF2?

I think I'm after a lot of the features of dslr without the size and cost. I'm a bit wary of going overboard and then not using a dslr because it's too much to carry everything.

[rich83]

GF2 is more of a compact.

If you want a DSLR but dont want the bulk... Canon G12 it is. Full manual controls and everything in between, right down to full point and shoot. Dead easy to use too. 

[LouCyffer]

Using a Panasonic Lumix FZ-38 and finding it brilliant.

http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/equipment/reviews/compactcameras/27052/1/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz38-review.html

[RedRobin]

I think I'm after a lot of the features of dslr without the size and cost. I'm a bit wary of going overboard and then not using a dslr because it's too much to carry everything.

....This tells me that you really prefer a compact. Only in direct comparison will a compact not quite match up to a DSLR. You have to think what type of photography you use a camera for, and if it's not for large prints, action pics on track, or commercial work, then the current generation compacts as Rich and Hedgy recommend are excellent.

Being able to literally carry a compact camera whenever and wherever you go means you rarely miss those times you find yourself saying "I wish I'd brought my camera with me". I even have my compact with me whenever I go in my garden at home. While most of you were at Inters I spent a few days staying with friends on Exmoor   :



^ Not the greatest quality technically/photographically but would I have wanted to add even a 'bridge' camera to my rucksack along with binoculars etc when climbing rocks?

[stealthwolf]

I think you're right. I've been looking at high-end compacts even more. I really need to try out cameras to get a feel for them. Going to make a shortlist of cameras that I can look at over the weekend.

[stealthwolf]

Okay so my shortlist of cameras to look at:

Canon PowerShot G12
Canon PowerShot S95
Nikon Coolpix P7000
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
 
Any others to add to the shortlist?

[vRS Carl]

Nikon Coolpix S9100.

I just bought one of these and this is an example of how good the pics are (these are completely untouched and as they come direct from the Camera)

[Eccie]

I picked up a Panasonic LX5 from duty free at Easter, still learning how to use everything it can do - but so far i like it, very handy size and it suits my needs