Bridge Cameras

Bridge cameras are so called because they are a bridge between small "point and shoot" cameras and Digital SLRs. Their lens is permanently fixed to the camera body. They have many of the features of a DSLR and they are compact and affordable. A bridge camera is capable, relatively robust and yet lightweight.

Many bridge cameras have superzoom lenses which allow you to photograph your subject from a distance. It may have image stabilisation, which helps to reduce camera shake. It will also have a built in flash. Some have a swivelling LCD screen, which is handy.

A bridge camera has a smaller sensor than a DSLR. It won't produce DSLR quality images, but your photos will print fairly well up to A4 size. High ISO settings will introduce grain into your images. The shutter can be a little slow to fire, causing problems when shooting fast moving subjects.

You can start by taking photographs in auto mode where the camera does the work for you. As your confidence grows you can try using these other shooting modes:

• Aperture priority mode allows you to make a person or an object in your picture really sharp, with the rest of the photo indistinct. Wildlife photographers use this to make their subjects stand out from the background.

• Shutter priority mode helps you to control movement. You can use it to reduce camera shake, and sports photographers use it freeze moving objects.

• Manual mode lets you take full control and discover your inner artist.

Advantages	Disadvantages	Verdict
Creative control, many advanced features.	Non-expandable system – one fixed lens.	Higher quality photos than a point and shoot.
Relatively lightweight.	Smaller sensor than DSLR: reduced image quality, reduced ISO sensitivity.	Suits photographers with flair and a limited budget.
Good value for money, a single purchase.	Key controls may require use of menus rather than external buttons.	If you are passionate about photography, consider saving for a DSLR. Later you can add extra lenses and you'll produce striking and original photographs.
No dust on the sensor.	Slight shutter delay.

For more information, have a look at this video: All About Superzoom Cameras

Do you know which is the best camera in the world? It's the one you have with you!