Whats the best bridge camera for my budget?

[Dannyboy88]

Im looking to start getting into taking decent photos and so im just after advice on what i should do camera wise,
I've been told to start with a bridge camera to start with before getting into DSLR's is this the right thing to do?
And i have a budget of around £200 for a camera i know its not a massive budget bit im sure there must be something out there for a beginner?

[stealthwolf]

Have a look at dpreview.com for reviews of bridge cameras and cross-reference with camerapricebuster (uk) for the best prices. Alternatively, look at secondhand models for higher end models.

[ScottNew]

Im looking to start getting into taking decent photos and so i'm just after advice on what i should do camera wise,
I've been told to start with a bridge camera to start with before getting into DSLR's is this the right thing to do?
And i have a budget of around £200 for a camera i know its not a massive budget bit i'm sure there must be something out there for a beginner?

I was in the same boat last year mate, didn't have a clue about photography or SLR's so I done a lot of reading and ended up getting a Sony NEX5 which was around £500 at the time sort of a hybrid/bridge between compact cameras with SLR quality. its a brilliant bit of kit, small and produces good pictures, i haven't been disappointed with it to date. I have hundreds of photos of my old R32 which ill get up on here at some point, Ive already posted a couple on my other post in the New members intro's. Waiting for the good weather before i shoot my GTI. I would say it is the right thing to do, I'll be looking to upgrade to a canon later in the year or possibly the new Sony NEX7 im sure you can pick up something decent relatively cheap or second hand

[Squeeguk]

This is around your budget and seems to have an excellent spec for the price.

http://www.fujifilm.eu/uk/products/digital-cameras/bridge/model/finepix-hs20exr/overview/

I have had 4 Fujifilm Bridge cameras now over the years and all have been excellent. With the pictures they take couldn't justify spending the extra for a DSLR. They have always been reliable too which is a bonus. I will be replacing my 2 year old camera this year before our hols in December so will be in the same boat as you.

[Frodo-anni]

Also look at the Canon camera that rich has just posted in another thread, winner of lots of top awards and in budget

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,44354.0.html