[PhilE]

Just to emphasise these points about bridge cameras:

http://www.steves-digicams.com/diginews.html#diwa

The FZ30 is a bit more expensive than the FZ5 but has even more features.

[martyn]

Originally Posted by PhilE

I agree with Sand about the bridge cameras - and Martyn - I know you're joking about the Canon 10 - 500mm, but we just got back from a safari in Africa with my brother in law. He's new to digital photography and the family bought him a Panasonic FZ-5 here in HK for about 300 GBP all in (with SD cards, case, batteries etc).

This has a 35-420mm equivalent (12x) zoom lens between f/2.8 and f/3.3. It also has the Panasonic equivalent of IS and a pretty quiet zoom mechanism. Whilst the pictures weren't as sharp and exhibited more CA than my old Canon 300D, its an extremely impressive camera and would satisfy many amateur photographers who want flexibility to take landscapes and close-ups as well as having other features such as light-weight, low-bulk, reasonable video mode etc. You can even get some 3rd party lens adaptors - though not in the same league as an SLR. Finally, it has modes from 'novice' to much fuller aperture and exposure control (though no manual focus).

Even if you pay 6400 HKD for the 350D with its kit lens and then add the new, very well received, 70-300 IS lens for 5500 HKD (the 2 lenses giving you most of the 29mm - 480mm range) and some cards, case and batteries you're talking over 1000 GBP.

There are other very well reviewed 'super zoom' cameras from Canon, Minolta and Sony too. These are great cameras to learn on - and then hand on to a friend or family member if you decide you want to (and can afford to) move into D-SLR territory.

My brother-in-law was delighted with his present - though again, if he'd had the cash, I'm sure he'd have been tempted to go with a D-SLR like many of us have been here!

I also concur with what you say too - if you are a beginner in digital photography, or don't want to hassle of changing lenses and a hole in the wallet, by all means, the bridge camera is definitely value for money which is still very capable.

However, there will be a point where you'll get sick of the noise in photos, bad shots in low light etc And you'll wonder how to get better shots. Only SLR can offer this (well at least until bridge cameras or point and shoots get bigger sensors and better post processing algorithms)

[PhilE]

Martyn - agreed - those are both areas where my Canon showed an advantage even though <envy> I haven't got the great sensor/ Digic II processor combination of the 350/20D </envy>

[Sazzy]

Where do you think it is cheaper to buy a camera - HK, Singapore or UK (in Christmas sales)?

[martyn]

HK for sure

[PhilE]

Sazzy - as Martyn says. Even if the camera looks cheap in the UK sales, you're still paying VAT - unless you can be bothered to queue up for hours at Heathrow on the way back to get a refund (and you probably won't get the full 17.5% either).

[Lammarite]

Originally Posted by Sazzy

Where do you think it is cheaper to buy a camera - HK, Singapore or UK (in Christmas sales)?

And the prices in the UK will not drop significantly enough. Bear in mins also about and warranty work at firmware upgrades etc. Although you may have a global warranty it's always better to have bought it locally.

[Sazzy]

Im moving to Singapore so should I get it there?

[kristof]

If moving to Singapore then you should get it there with a local warranty, but then it depends, some people don't mind having no warranty. I always take warranty after having to pay expensive inspection fees on a previous EOS 35mm, which I finally sold as spare part for almost nothing coz the repair cost (actually just replace the curtain) was insane.

[BDM]

I see that Marcuslai mentioned the D200, can anyone advise if these are availble yet in Hong Kong. I will be visiting in 2 weeks. Thanks