Opinions on this Camera

[jaomul]

I have an older panasonic bridge camera and find it great, by all accounts this Canon one is great and a few years newer than mine so it will be even better. I think you cant go far wrong. As slow focus was mentioned by Railphotog the new bridge camera by panasonic (fz150) supposedly has a great fast focus system and also shoots raw, you dont get the zoom of the canon though, but it may be worth a look

 

[belial]

I read that it has an electronic viewfinder. Maybe it isn't a DSLR but it is better then my Canon Powershot A490 and for my budget, it will be great.

A bridge camera is great. Really gives you beginning controls and great zoom features. I have a 2008 Sony bridge and love it still. Mine doesnt shoot raw either but at least with these cameras you can get used to more controls as you step up. I think its a good choice myself

 

[jonathon94]

Thank you everyone for the replies (Especially those who currently own a bridge camera [first time I heard that term ])

It seems to me that it will make for a good beginner camera to start learning on. My current point and shoot is good but without CHDK, it is pretty basic.

 

[unpopular]

According to this thread:

Canon Sx40 vs. Sony HX100V and Canon SX40 vs. Fuji FZ150

there is supposed to be a firmware hack (CHDK Wiki) that will permit RAW file output, though I don't know if that is something this user would want to do or what effects it will have on the warranty - though I am pretty sure it'd void it.

 

[jonathon94]

CHDK does allow raw but on a basic point and shoot with a basic SD card it takes about 15+ seconds to save the photo as jpeg and raw. But it only runs from the memory card there is no actual replacement of the real firmware. Remove the memory card and turn the camera back on and CHDK is gone (without a trace )

 

[unpopular]

That I didn't know. It might be worth a shot if you're planning on using this camera. But 15sec is a LONG write time.