Bridge Cameras-Advanced Compact Cameras
What is a Bridge Camera? Bridge cameras are advanced digital compact cameras that give the user more options than
are available with a basic Digital Compact Camera. They are called Bridge cameras because they fill the gap, as far as
available features, between basic digital compact cameras and Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras. Bridge cameras are
ideal for users who want a camera that is a step up from the basic digital compact camera, but might not want, or are not
ready for a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera. (also known as Digital SLR or DSLR cameras)
Most Bridge cameras are slightly larger than the basic digital compact camera and you
probably won't be able to fit certain ones into your pocket. Some Bridge cameras, like the
Sony Cyber Shot DSC-HX200V are even shaped like a Digital SLR camera. However,
they are still smaller than Digital SLR cameras and are considered to be part of the
compact camera family.
Bridge cameras will have just about all of the features found in a basic compact camera
along with certain features that are standard in Digital SLR cameras. The main difference
between Bridge cameras and Digital SLR cameras is that the lens on a Digital SLRcamera can be changed or switched.
The Bridge Cameras' lens is a "fixed" lens and cannot be removed or changed.
The following are some of the features that Bridge cameras share with Digital SLR cameras that are not available on most
basic digital compact cameras. Please note that not every Bridge camera will have all of these features. However, every
Bridge camera will have some combination of most of these features.
Longer Zoom Range: Zoom lenses allow you to take pictures from a wide angle view to a telephoto view. The zoom lens
range on some advanced compact/bridge cameras is much greater than the range available on basic compact cameras.
For instance the camera has zoom range of 42X. That is the equivalent of a 24mm to 1,000mm lens.
Read the Camera Lens Types tutorial for more information about camera lenses.
Aperture and Shutter Priority Modes: Many bridge cameras have an aperture priority or shutter priority mode in
addition to a total automatic mode. Setting the camera to the aperture priority mode allows you to choose the aperture
setting you want to use and the camera will choose the shutter speed to obtain the proper exposure. Being able to set the
aperture gives you more control over the depth of field in an image.
When using the shutter speed priority mode, you choose the shutter speed you want to use and the camera will set the
aperture. By controlling the shutter speed, the photographer can freeze or blur action in a picture. Please read the
Exposure Basics tutorial to understand why being able to change the aperture or shutter speed might be useful to you.
Manual Mode: When using the manual mode, you choose the shutter speed as well as the aperture setting in order to
obtain the proper exposure setting for a picture. The cameras' ISO setting can also be controlled in the manual mode.
Manual Focus: Many of the Bridge cameras have a manual focus feature. This feature allows you to fine tune focus an
exact area in an image. Auto focus works fine in the vast majority of picture taking situations. However, the manual focus
feature comes in handy for those situations when the auto focus is not as precise as you might want.
Larger Sensor Size: A few of the Bridge cameras like the Canon Powershot S100
have a larger sensor that is the same size as the ones found in some Digital SLR
cameras. (1/1.7 sensor size instead of the 1/2.3 size found in most compact cameras.
See the Image Sensor tutorial for more about sensors.) The larger sensor will produce
higher quality images, even in low light picture taking situations.
Eye Level Viewfinder: Some Bridge cameras have an eye level viewfinder which makes
for better viewing when framing and composing a picture. Using the eye level viewfinder
also makes it easier to brace your arms against your body when trying to remain steady
to take a picture.
Hot Shoe: Some of the Bridge cameras have a Hotshoe feature which allows an external flash to be attached to the
camera if you choose not to use the camera's built in flash. An external flash can be more powerful and can give you
more control over the direction of the light.
Price Range: The price range for these type cameras can range from under 200.00 to 500.00 or more. Naturally, the
features and quality of the camera with vary with the price. Just remember that almost any Bridge camera you purchase
will have features that you don't find in a basic digital compact camera. The falls into the lower
price range while the is around the top of the line in pricing.
When choosing a bridge camera, you will find that every camera that is classified as "Advanced" or "Bridge" will not
always have the same major features. You will have to decide which features are most important to you.
Bridge cameras are great for photographers who want some of the Digital SLR features in a camera without having to pay
the higher Digital SLR price. They are also great cameras to learn how to use manual and semi automatic features
instead of just being a "point and shoot" photographer.
What is a Bridge Camera? Bridge cameras are advanced digital compact cameras that give the user more options than
are available with a basic Digital Compact Camera. They are called Bridge cameras because they fill the gap, as far as
available features, between basic digital compact cameras and Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras. Bridge cameras are
ideal for users who want a camera that is a step up from the basic digital compact camera, but might not want, or are not
ready for a Digital Single Lens Reflex camera. (also known as Digital SLR or DSLR cameras)
Most Bridge cameras are slightly larger than the basic digital compact camera and you
probably won't be able to fit certain ones into your pocket. Some Bridge cameras, like the
Sony Cyber Shot DSC-HX200V are even shaped like a Digital SLR camera. However,
they are still smaller than Digital SLR cameras and are considered to be part of the
compact camera family.
Bridge cameras will have just about all of the features found in a basic compact camera
along with certain features that are standard in Digital SLR cameras. The main difference
between Bridge cameras and Digital SLR cameras is that the lens on a Digital SLRcamera can be changed or switched.
The Bridge Cameras' lens is a "fixed" lens and cannot be removed or changed.
The following are some of the features that Bridge cameras share with Digital SLR cameras that are not available on most
basic digital compact cameras. Please note that not every Bridge camera will have all of these features. However, every
Bridge camera will have some combination of most of these features.
Longer Zoom Range: Zoom lenses allow you to take pictures from a wide angle view to a telephoto view. The zoom lens
range on some advanced compact/bridge cameras is much greater than the range available on basic compact cameras.
For instance the camera has zoom range of 42X. That is the equivalent of a 24mm to 1,000mm lens.
Read the Camera Lens Types tutorial for more information about camera lenses.
Aperture and Shutter Priority Modes: Many bridge cameras have an aperture priority or shutter priority mode in
addition to a total automatic mode. Setting the camera to the aperture priority mode allows you to choose the aperture
setting you want to use and the camera will choose the shutter speed to obtain the proper exposure. Being able to set the
aperture gives you more control over the depth of field in an image.
When using the shutter speed priority mode, you choose the shutter speed you want to use and the camera will set the
aperture. By controlling the shutter speed, the photographer can freeze or blur action in a picture. Please read the
Exposure Basics tutorial to understand why being able to change the aperture or shutter speed might be useful to you.
Manual Mode: When using the manual mode, you choose the shutter speed as well as the aperture setting in order to
obtain the proper exposure setting for a picture. The cameras' ISO setting can also be controlled in the manual mode.
Manual Focus: Many of the Bridge cameras have a manual focus feature. This feature allows you to fine tune focus an
exact area in an image. Auto focus works fine in the vast majority of picture taking situations. However, the manual focus
feature comes in handy for those situations when the auto focus is not as precise as you might want.
Larger Sensor Size: A few of the Bridge cameras like the Canon Powershot S100
have a larger sensor that is the same size as the ones found in some Digital SLR
cameras. (1/1.7 sensor size instead of the 1/2.3 size found in most compact cameras.
See the Image Sensor tutorial for more about sensors.) The larger sensor will produce
higher quality images, even in low light picture taking situations.
Eye Level Viewfinder: Some Bridge cameras have an eye level viewfinder which makes
for better viewing when framing and composing a picture. Using the eye level viewfinder
also makes it easier to brace your arms against your body when trying to remain steady
to take a picture.
Hot Shoe: Some of the Bridge cameras have a Hotshoe feature which allows an external flash to be attached to the
camera if you choose not to use the camera's built in flash. An external flash can be more powerful and can give you
more control over the direction of the light.
Price Range: The price range for these type cameras can range from under 200.00 to 500.00 or more. Naturally, the
features and quality of the camera with vary with the price. Just remember that almost any Bridge camera you purchase
will have features that you don't find in a basic digital compact camera. The falls into the lower
price range while the is around the top of the line in pricing.
When choosing a bridge camera, you will find that every camera that is classified as "Advanced" or "Bridge" will not
always have the same major features. You will have to decide which features are most important to you.
Bridge cameras are great for photographers who want some of the Digital SLR features in a camera without having to pay
the higher Digital SLR price. They are also great cameras to learn how to use manual and semi automatic features
instead of just being a "point and shoot" photographer.
Easy Basic Photography
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Sony Cyber Shot DSC HX200V
Canon Powershot S100
