I am deciding on whether to get the Panasonic DMC-FZ150 Bridge Camera or a budget entry-level dSLR. I’m more inclined to get the FZ150 because. while it doesn’t have a huge enough sensor to be an SLR, it certainly is on a whole different level than a point and shoot camera (it has full control over PSAM, iso, and manual focus.) While an SLR would of course have these same (or better) options of manual control, what the FZ150 has over the SLR is it can shoot up to 60 pictures in one second at 5MP in its fastest burst shooting (which would be very helpful for shooting fast-paced action.) It also has the 24x zoom (expandable to 50x with a drop in resolution, while preserving quality.) This is something you can not have on an SLR unless you pay ,000+ on a 600mm lens. Also, it can record 1080p video at 60 frames per second (in addition to a 220fps mode at QVGA res), which would be very hard to find on a budget SLR. On the other hand, an SLR would take better quality pictures in low light due to its larger sensor. However, I currently use my phone with it’s tiny sensor as my primary camera and I can take amazingly sharp and professional-looking pictures with it (posted down below), so I can just imagine what I can do with something like a bridge camera with a relatively larger sensor. Like the saying goes, "it’s not the camera, but the person who is holding it."
Tell me what you think. Do you think a bridge camera would be able to take good-looking pictures comparable to an SLR (in bright light)?

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Pictures from my phone camera:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12361010/Phone%20pictures/2011-02-18-15-24-40-504.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12361010/Phone%20pictures/C360_2011-08-04%2011-39-48.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12361010/Phone%20pictures/C360_2011-08-05%2017-21-42-picsay.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12361010/Phone%20pictures/C360_2011-10-24%2017-46-04-picsay.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12361010/Phone%20pictures/HDR%20landscape.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12361010/Phone%20pictures/IMG_20110712_154931.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12361010/Phone%20pictures/picsay-1314933959.jpg

I’m a bit confuse with the word "beginner" or "entry level" people used to say about DSLR…
Is it beginner in photography, or beginner in using a DSLR?

I always wonder whether i’m still a beginner or not…
i do not own a DSLR…
but im not a beginner in photography….
at least i know the basics…
most of the picture i love to take using manual mode with a point and shoot camera…
but there is too much constrains and i’ve been pushing the boundaries with my point and shoot..

I’m about to get my first DSRL…
kinda fell in loved with 60d…but its a bit too costly…
reviews says it’s not advisable for beginner to use…
So, am i really a beginner and choose the 60d or go for the 600d which is a entry level DSLR but does not win my heart much?

After doing a bit of research, I’ve come to the conclusion that an entry-level dslr is way out of my budget, & I definitely still fall under the category of beginner so I don’t think that would be worth it; however I need something better than the standard cheap point and shoot camera. I photograph jewelry a lot so I need one that will actually focus manually (the auto-focus function on my old compact digital camera just made everything blurry). so, does such a camera even exist?? I’m completely willing to look at used/refurbished cameras if that’s the only way I can get a good price

I want to step into the world of DSLR photography and learn photography. I am a complete novice and have only had a Sony point and shoot camera. While I want to learn every aspect of DSLR photography but since I’m a beginner I don’t want to spend too much. I have shortlisted Nikon D5100, Nikon D90 and Canon 600D. Although I prefer the image quality of Nikon entry level DSLR I’m still ready to go for Canon but in the future if my progress is good I would like to purchase Nikon full frame camera. Actually I’m leaning towards D5100 but I’m not sure if this camera has everything. I do not want to choose a camera that could hinder my learning graph. I wanted to go for Nikon D7000, but after hearing a lot of focus related problem I don’t want to invest double the amount of the camera I’ve shortlisted on a camera with so many problems. Is D5100 capable of auto bracketing for HDR photography? Please help.

I am, essentially, a beginner photographer. I have a Canon SD960 IS point and shoot camera at the moment, and I know all the basic features of a DSLR, so learning isn’t going to be a problem. I found two cameras that I am very interested in, but can’t decide between the two. I am deciding between the Canon EOS Digital Rebel T3 and the Nikon D5000. I’m not looking to spend a fortune, and both of these cameras are around 0 on Best Buy. I am not well versed enough in DSLR lingo to know which one is better. Could someone help me out? Thank you!

I am, essentially, a beginner photographer. I have a Canon SD960 IS point and shoot camera at the moment, and I know all the basic features of a DSLR, so learning isn’t going to be a problem. I found two cameras that I am very interested in, but can’t decide between the two. I am deciding between the Canon EOS Digital Rebel T3 and the Nikon D5000. I’m not looking to spend a fortune, and both of these cameras are around 0 on Best Buy. I am not well versed enough in DSLR lingo to know which one is better. Could someone help me out? Thank you!

I’m an amateur when it comes to photography, but i want to buy a new camera which can help me take better pictures. I cant decide whether i should go for an entry level DSLR or stick to something portable like Canon powershot s95, because i already have a point and shoot camera. Could you please suggest me some good DSLR cameras for beginners? I would really like to get a good opinion before i make my decision.
I’m willing to learn how to operate it and improve my skills.

I’m an amateur when it comes to photography, but i want to buy a new camera which can help me take better pictures. I cant decide whether i should go for an entry level DSLR or stick to something portable like Canon powershot s95, because i already have a point and shoot camera. Could you please suggest me some good DSLR cameras for beginners? I would really like to get a good opinion before i make my decision.

I have a point and shoot camera, but I’m looking to upgrade to a dlsr. I shoot in low light very often and I don’t use flash so low noise is very important. Which Canon or Nikon is the least noisy? I’m most interested in those two brands, but I am willing to consider the other brands as well.

hello,

I received the canon 50d as a Christmas present. However I am in the very beginning stages of photography and this will be an upgrade from a point and shoot camera that i’ve owned for 2 years. I am wondering if I should exchange this 50d for a lower model such as the canon rebel ti or perhaps a nikon. any suggestion about the camera and if its something I should hold on to and just learn how to use it or step down several grades and start from an entry level dslr?
thank you so much!