Ok, a Nikon P520 bridge camera is on my Christmas list. Despite the superiority of proper digital SLR's, I wouldn't get enough use out of the various lenses so for now at least, a bridge camera it is.

What I want to know from the photography pros on here, is what the various things mean when taking pics such as:

ISO (various settings)
Shutter speed
Burst mode

One problem I've found with my compact Panasonic Lumix camera when at concerts for example, is that even when using the apparently appropriate auto mode, the photos are blurred and poor even with image stabiliser. The ISO could be altered but I didn't know what difference it made.

I need to know what's what with all this and get some practice shots in before my big holiday in USA next August.

Cheers  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Please be careful

OK it's a few (7?) years ago now, but I bought a FuJi bridge camera, looked brilliant on paper, good zoom, ISO, stabilised image etc.

I bought it for my sons 21st birthday party at the rugby club, wanted to get some good family shots.
What a dissapointment, the viewfinder was a small screen which couldn't produce an image in low light conditions - unlike a proper SLR which if you can see without the camera, then you can see it through the viewfinder.

Result you had no idea what you were taking, several hundred shots later, not a single good shot. Lots of bodies with no heads, lots of red eye.

Sold the camera after a week, lost £350 - half it's cost, never will I buy a Fuji or a bridge camera again.

Burst mode, basically the camera takes a succession of shots until its internal buffer is full, it has to write these shots to the memory card to clear the buffer to take more shots. In effect the camera might take 30 shots at 3 shots a second, then slow down to one shot a second while your finger is still on the shoot button. you let go of the shoot button, the camera clears its buffer and away you go again. The speed of the memory card you have inserted determines the speed at which the buffer clears, so anything after the first burst is not wholely down to the camera.

ISO - the way I look at it is the "film" speed, high ISO is fast speed, so good in low light conditions, or can be combined with a fast shutter to freeze fast moving objects. The higher the ISO the grainier the pictures tend to look.

There are people who are much better photographers here than I am, who have a better understanding of the science. One will be along soon to give you a better idea of what you want.
But please be careful, brightly lit photography shops can give a false sense of how cameras behave in the real world, of taking family snapshots around home.
For my money go for a basic SLR, and a standard lens (18-55), and a cheap waterproof point and shoot that won't mind the sand on the beach Tangiers Orange - gone, missing her
Replaced by Ewok what a mistake - now a happy Disco Sport owner

What I have worked out (for me) after having a Canon 40D/7D and a Panasonic bridge camera is that they dont get used enough mainly due to size and weight .
The Micro 4/3 formats are a good compromise as long as paired with a decent lens , I have just recently bought a Lumix LX7 and although it doesn't have interchangeable lens the fixed one is a fast 1.4/2.3 Leica which is very useful for low light conditions .

I have a Canon 400D that I love but due to its size it tends not o get used as much as it should especially when on Holiday or out and about on walks.

For that reason I spent months looking for the perfect compact ( to me ) that had almost SLR capabilities. I ended up buying a Nikon P7100 and I cant fault it.

It may be worth a look for your needs. HSE TD4 Stornoway Grey ★ Rear Spoiler ★ Black Leather Interior ★ Panoramic Roof ★ Navigation with Bluetooth ★ 19 " Alloys ★ Alpine Stereo 10 Disc Auto changer and Ipod connection and lots of other nice toys ★

Hi Doc
Bridge cameras, consider the Panasonic range, highly accalimed and some of the best out there, Toeknee on here is on his second and many members of the club I am in have them too.

This site will give you lots of info on ISO etc

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-exposure.htm

Thanks

I will do some reading. I like Panasonic cameras but heard great things about the Nikon and it boasts 42x optical zoom. We do happen to have a tri-pod for such use.

Cheers LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Doc,
Know what you mean by Panasonic Lumix. Mrs Pegleg has one and I took it to take some shots in Valencia a few years ago.
Never again
Menu's were a real pain and missed many shots messing around with the ruddy thing.
Fiddly thing, never did what I wanted it to do and Leica lens my a se. Might have it's name on it but no more. Missed my DSLR which is sooo much easier to use.
Try not to write off your thoughts regarding a DSLR.
For most shots with DSLR, you can get away with just one lens.
Two things which result in a good shot is quality glass and the person behind the lens.
Good luck in your search and try to stay away from 'auto' mode.  Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Doc I would look at the Panasonic Gf6 good size and with the standard lens should be everything you want, plus if you decide to go further with the photo lark, you can then look at other lens, if this is out of your budget, you can still get the GF5 (16mp) and the Gf3 (12mp) which is the one I started with.

I have now upgraded to the G6 and have several lens, still nice and compact and easy to carry

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/digital-cam...ix-dmc-gf6

Some interesting reading  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I have got a canon g16.
It's a compact ish with a viewfinder and manual settings. It also has an easy way of over or under exposing, great for snow or difficult lighting.
Go to a few shops and have a play, they all feel different in your hand. I think that once you get over £300 you need to check what features you really want. GPS and wifi are ok if you need to send photos of where you are but is it worth the extra?
Good luck in the minefield of digital image capture

Whatever camera you get, learn how to hold it properly when taking pictures. The current fashion of holding the camera at arms length whilst peering at a screen on the back of the camera is almost guaranteed to get poor results unless you have ideal conditions.