Need Bridge Camera Ideas

SCraig · Apr 9, 2012

My boss wants to get his wife a new camera for her birthday and has asked me for advice. She is **NOT** afflicted with the photography bug that most of us here have so I'm not recommending a DSLR for her but am leaning toward a bridge camera. She has a Kodak "Something" now but he wants to get her something better. I haven't kept up with what is good, very good, and best in the Bridge world and could use some advice.

Anyone got any ideas on what is good in that world these days?

Boyun · Apr 9, 2012

For a bridge camera, I would buy a Powershot SX40HS. A Powershot D20 is a better camera for anybody as a gift. I have a Powershot D10 and I have great time with it. Can you use your DSLR in the pool or hand it to a 5 year to take a picture?

apples · Apr 9, 2012

think about a mirrorless? A Sony nex series or a Fujifilm x100 are pretty good right out the box, plus room for expansion if and when she gets bit by "the bug."

SCraig · Apr 9, 2012

Boyun said:
For a bridge camera, I would buy a Powershot SX40HS. A Powershot D20 is a better camera for anybody as a gift. I have a Powershot D10 and I have great time with it. Can you use your DSLR in the pool or hand it to a 5 year to take a picture?

I asked originally if waterproof was a consideration but he said it wasn't. She wants something physically larger than a traditional point-and-shoot which is why I thought about a bridge. The SX40HS looks pretty good and I'll pass along that as a recommendation. Thanks for the help.

SCraig · Apr 9, 2012

apples said:
think about a mirrorless? A Sony nex series or a Fujifilm x100 are pretty good right out the box, plus room for expansion if and when she gets bit by "the bug."

No, actually I hadn't thought of it but it's a very good idea. I don't think she's interested in getting into the interchangeable lens thing though, and would probably prefer something with a built-in zoom like a P&S. I will mention it though. Thanks for the idea.

jaomul · Apr 9, 2012

The Panasonic Fz150 looks nice. I have a fz28 and really like it. the fz150 is newer,has a 24x zoom and has gotten good reviews

SCraig · Apr 9, 2012

jaomul said:
The Panasonic Fz150 looks nice. I have a fz28 and really like it. the fz150 is newer,has a 24x zoom and has gotten good reviews

Cool, thanks for the info. I'll take a look at it.

Dao · Apr 10, 2012

If she is not looking for a super zoom type camera, the Canon G12 or G1x will be my choice.

cgipson1 · Apr 10, 2012

^what Dao said.. either one (Canon G12 or G1x) of those is the closest thing to having a DSLR you can get in a P&S! The Powershot SX40HS would be a good call too! I shot a Canon S5 for years while doing ultralight hiking... and it gave great photos! The Canon's mentioned are all newer better versions of that..

SCraig · Apr 10, 2012

Thanks guys. I think he's going to go with the SX40HS. He was pretty interested in the Panasonic but everywhere I checked was out of stock or backordered.

I appreciate all the help and information.

RayOfMinneapolis · Aug 3, 2012

I have an SX40HS and it's alot of fun! I just wanted to post some examples of work I've done with it, for those doing research.
Here is a video I made to show the awesome 35x zoom. Note, you can take great quality photos while recording video!

RayOfMinneapolis · Aug 3, 2012

And also, here is the very FIRST video I ever made with the Powershot SX40HS. It shows the burst shooting mode of 10 frames per second, and the creative effects of "Super Vivid" and "Miniature". Enjoy!