Sian: Okay, so in part one I asked Chris what I can get for 300 pound mark for a bridge camera. So, you’ve managed to narrow it down to these three. So tell me a bit about why you’ve picked these?
Chris: Yeah, I mean, first of all, they are bridge camera, the benefit you get all lie down in, in fact in such as your lens, your manual control and your ease of use again. And then back to the fact about having the speed coz that’s another factor that gets improved with your bridge camera. First I went to was a bit of an unknown in some peoples point, in some peoples mind however a really strong contender. Fuji 8100FD, this one here, wonderful choice, very fast camera, uses a sensor system, very unique to Fuji and Fuji alone. It’s a super CCD sensor. The benefits of that: wonderful gradients, incredibly quick. You see here straight away, the ergonomics and design of the camera, very simple, very easily laid out. Control switches, easy to access. And like any good camera, you got the comfy grip on it, that’s again really important. The second choice actually, whereas the Panasonic, the Panasonic coming in about the same price.
Sian: What were those two?
Chris: 249.
Sian: 249, okay.
Chris: 249, so what we got here, very similar again, a generic standing as far as the ergonomics, the layout of the camera’s concern. This I must say is a bit of a soft spot on myself, coz what you got with this, you got a Lika designed lens, and Lika produce a very high standard, but Lika now designs for Panasonic. What we also got on this is and SLR standard processor, again very important. We got speed on response and this is what you’re paying for, when you go to Proxima or a bridge camera. You’re paying for the speed, and you’re paying for the control, while in relation to that you’re also getting better lens. This one for example has an 18x optical with image stabilizer. It has a true stabilizer as oppose to synthetic anti shake. This however, Nikon P80, a little bit more, 50 pound more, 299 for this, so it’s still within your budget. This one here, lovely camera feels much more like a SLR as far as the standards are concerned. Unlike what you find here as well, you can, they have still managed to get down to rest in this small body. And this again due to experience, but I think quite a nice blend between the two, speed, control, nice easy to use viewfinder. It’s a combined package, again giving a 10 time 18 optical zoom. Not these two.
Sian: Why is it better to be optical?
Chris: Well in optical basically, the benefits are in a way you are using the lenses to magnify. If you’re digital zooming, which a lot of compact cameras have, all you’re doing is simply enlarging the digital file, its, you’re not actually bringing anything into a closer shot, you are just simply expanding the information you have before. Not a good thing. So yeah, like I said three really strong models. All fall below the 300 pound bracket. A lot of people will go with the Nikon.
Sian: Yep.
Chris: But I will say, the little Panasonic there, definitely punching its way at the moment. And within a very, very realistic price bracket as well.
Sian: Just to kinda sum them up really, I mean compared to a compact camera, you gaining more control.
Chris: Well basically you’re controlling everything.
Sian: Yeah.
Chris: With this, this is like what you did with your film camera, now you actually got control of your aperture, your shutter speed, everything . What you also never control of into a degree with these, you actually got control of the focusing.
Sian: Right. Okay, yeah.
Chris: The point of focus, the depth of field. These are all things that a lot of people who’re trained on film and cameras or used to use a film SLR, but now wants to get into digital, will be familiar with, but won't necessarily have access to on the compact cameras. And this is where I present all bridge cameras coming to their own. Because now, you’re not being restricted by design, style, or size, but you’re being restricted, professionally speaking, actually what I’m going to say. There is no restriction at all. They can put whatever they like in this camera and that suits a lot of people. But I will say to everybody, stray away, first thing you need to do with this camera is try before you buy.
Sian: Yeah.
Chris: Give them a squeeze, like you’re buying your melons. Because basically, if you don’t give them a squeeze, you will not, I will say straight away, I don’t find that a comfortable camera to hold.
Sian: Okay.
Chris: But however you may find it, with the size of your hand much more comfortable to hold. It is preference thing in a lot of cases. And that’s very important, you know, to try.
Sian: Thank you very much for that Chris. That was fantastic. And now we’re gonna take a look at what’s going on in the past months and years.