What Super Zoom Compact?

[RosscoPCole]

My Panasonic TZ10 has given up the ghost and it is the second Panasonic I've gone through in 3 years.
I want something that is a bit more robust yet has the same features
*Big zoom at least 12x optical
*HD Video
*Robust
*GPS if possible (I like linking pics to google maps)
*£200 or less if possible

Any suggestions. I will consider a factory refurb.

[BigAlinEmbra]

When I saw the thread title I was just about to say the TZ10 is only 180 quid on Amazon just now! How do you manage to keep breaking them? My TZ6 has been bulletproof!

Alternative I'd go with would be Canon SX220, but don't know if it's got the GPS.

[RosscoPCole]

No idea! It's always a lens/zoom problem. Have tried all the suggestions online to try and cure it. I might go back to a bridge style camera as my old Fuji was bullet proof and my dad still uses it.
Is a bridge camera better than a superzoom compact?

[BigAlinEmbra]

To be honest I don't really get the point of bridges. You're as well getting a DSLR if you're getting something that size imo.

[Big_Dog]

I have had my Olympus Superzoom for 3 years or so with no problems and I love it to bits.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0708/07082309olysp560...
It was somewhere around £200.

[ofcorsa]

BigAlinEmbra said:

To be honest I don't really get the point of bridges. You're as well getting a DSLR if you're getting something that size imo.

Our Fuji bridge gets used lots more than the DSLR ( hopefully trying to remedy that now) Basically due to the fact there is no need to carry lenses and swap them around.

[jimmy156]

ofcorsa said:

Our Fuji bridge gets used lots more than the DSLR ( hopefully trying to remedy that now) Basically due to the fact there is no need to carry lenses and swap them around.

The point of a bridge camera, imo, is that something like a Canon SX30 IS offers a zoom range of 24-840mm for £350. To cover that range on and SLR your talking mega mega money, probably 1.5k or more, assuming you go for something like a 1000d, 18-200 and sigma 150-500.

[Tycho]

jimmy156 said:

ofcorsa said:

Our Fuji bridge gets used lots more than the DSLR ( hopefully trying to remedy that now) Basically due to the fact there is no need to carry lenses and swap them around.

The point of a bridge camera, imo, is that something like a Canon SX30 IS offers a zoom range of 24-840mm for £350. To cover that range on and SLR your talking mega mega money, probably 1.5k or more, assuming you go for something like a 1000d, 18-200 and sigma 150-500.

Sorry for the derail...

I've been toying with getting rid of the DSLR and getting a bridge with a big zoom as it is a pain in the arse to keep swapping the 17-45 lens to the 55-200. I use it most for family stuff and I don't think I'd miss all the advanced SLR features. Also the 4/3rds system is quite limited in lenses etc.

Any recommendations?

[jimmy156]

Tycho said:

Sorry for the derail...

I've been toying with getting rid of the DSLR and getting a bridge with a big zoom as it is a pain in the arse to keep swapping the 17-45 lens to the 55-200. I use it most for family stuff and I don't think I'd miss all the advanced SLR features. Also the 4/3rds system is quite limited in lenses etc.

Any recommendations?

I would always recommend the panasonic bridge camera's, despite the op's misfortune with the brand! I had one before i bout my DSLR, and they generally get excellent reviews. The Canon SX30IS is worth a mention too.

I would say however for indoor family pics etc. you may well miss the advantages of the bigger sensor and better noise capability of an SLR.

[Tycho]

jimmy156 said:

Tycho said:

Sorry for the derail...

I've been toying with getting rid of the DSLR and getting a bridge with a big zoom as it is a pain in the arse to keep swapping the 17-45 lens to the 55-200. I use it most for family stuff and I don't think I'd miss all the advanced SLR features. Also the 4/3rds system is quite limited in lenses etc.

Any recommendations?

I would always recommend the panasonic bridge camera's, despite the op's misfortune with the brand! I had one before i bout my DSLR, and they generally get excellent reviews. The Canon SX30IS is worth a mention too.

I would say however for indoor family pics etc. you may well miss the advantages of the bigger sensor and better noise capability of an SLR.

Thanks for the input. Will go and test drive at the local shop.

[s2driveruk]

was just about to ask for some advice on bridge/superzoom cameras so nice to see a thread already up and running.

Been looking for a while for exactly the reasons mentioned above! I was looking at the Fuji HS10 as it appears to be a better deal functionally than the newer HS20.

Anyone got one who can comment on its suitability for motorsport and mountain photography?