Need help choosing a camera: HS10, P500, or other

[tcottarel]

Hello photoforum world,I am a newbie photographer looking to buy his first camera. I became very interested in photography after playing around with my uncle's Nikon D80.
Now as you can probably tell from the title, I am not specifically looking for a DSLR. More of a bridge camera.

Originally, I was set on buying the Fujifilm Finepix HS10, mainly because of the 1080p video recording, and the high-speed 1000fps video recording. However, I then saw some video reviews, and what mainly made me strongly reconsider was the fact that the zooming is very choppy. I also thought the mode wheel was strange; there weren't any modes such as landscape and portrait.

Then I found the Nikon Coolpix P500. I really love the camera (from reviews) but what I really don't like about it is that the shutter speed only goes down to 8 seconds.

So, I know this forum is filled with experts, so I'm hoping I can get some great advice.Should I go for one of the above ones, or do you guys/gals recommends a different camera?

This is my wish list:-Sub $500 price tag
-HD Movie recording (preferably 1080p)
-high speed video recording (240fps and above)
-a minimum maximum of 15 second shutter speed
-a panorama sweep feature would also be nice
-and obviously I want good still-photo quality.

If I could get some help that'd be awesome.
Thanks,Tristan

 

[tcottarel]

Anyone?

 

[Noxire]

Hi, great that you've decided to start with photography!

Now, do yourself a favor and buy a d-slr instead of a compact camera.

1. Bigger sensor; better image quality
2. Better glass; better image quality
3. More settings, better operation; more creative freedom
4. Interchangeable lenses; more creative freedom, infinite ways of creating an image
5. The ability to use off camera flash

Also since your uncle owns d-slr its not unlikely that you will be able to borrow his lenses no?

For around 450$ you get an entry level package nikon/canon that includes body + lens.

If you really want a compact camera and nothing is to change your decision, then I am sorry that I didn't help with your question, but you will find that few can/will answer on this forum since most use a d-slr and not compacts.

Gl with the camera-shopping

Johannes

 

[MattK0138]

Entry level nikon or canon.

 

[tcottarel]

The problem is, most of the sub 500$ DSLRs do not have a video recording feature, and that is very important to me. And I wouldnt be able to use my uncle's lenses because he lives in Germany and I live in the US.