This is not going to be an easy choice for you as none of them are particularly good when it comes to image quality in low light because noise is a fact of life from the small sensors..

What I'd urge you to do at this stage is search by camera at PBase.com and Flikr.com and see the kinds of photos people using these cameras are posting. This might help you to narrow it down..

Those with image stablisation will benefit you indoors beacuse you will not need to use such a noise-prone high ISO setting. You might need to buy an accessory flashgun however as the little pop-ups can be slow to recycle in the dark..

The Canon G7 will be the most pocketable, followed by the s3 or s5. Also look at the Fuji s6000 /s6500, no IS but a nicely balanced camera. But once you sart seriously looking at one of those and the Panasonic with flip out LCD (a good bright lens on it too) you are approaching small DSLR size..

John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..

I just bought the Panasonic FZ8. It was after much deliberation and and one return. I returned the Fuji s700. It had poor pic quality and poor features. I was also looking at the Sony DSC-H7/B. I didn't buy it because I didn't want to have to buy Memory Sticks when I already had SD cards.

I find the image quality to be quite good. I also like the burst features. I can take pics one after another non-stop ubtil my card is filled up. There is no buffer issue with this camera. It is also fairly small and not bulky like I bound the Canon S3IS to be.

I bought the FZ8 to be a family camera to take pics of the kids, vacations, etc. Hope this helps...

DSLR are going cheap now a days. e.g. Olympus E500 with twin-kit lens (giving you effectively 10.6x zoom) goes for less than $550 on amazon. K110D with kit goes for $398! K100D for $488..

GerryRcom wrote:.

Hi All.

I'm looking at getting a digital camera and am leaning more towardsa bridge/ prosumer camera as I like the idea of having control overshutter speed + 10x zoom..

I was looking at the Panasonic FZ8 although I would prob beshooting indoors just as much as outdoors so if it's low lightperformance is really bad that might rule that out?.

I'd like IS, RAW but if the camera has very good IQ I colud livewithout them..

Any pointers? Basically whats the best IQ prosumer out there?Money is an issue, hence I'm not going for a DSLR.Thanks for any pointersgerryR.

Regards, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612..

Thanks for the replies..

I'll have a look at those sites and see what pic quality I like the most..

I had actually bought an FZ8 on ebay but the deal fell through in the end (got my money back though:). Cant seem to find one again for the priuce I got it for..

I realise that DSLR's are available at a very reasonable price, unfortunatly it's more than my budget will allow at the min. I also don't think I want the hassle of changing lenses etc.

I'll do a bit more reasearch any way, thanks again for the advice.atb.

GerryR..

GerryRcom wrote:.

I'll do a bit more reasearch any way, thanks again for the advice..

Gerry......

Here's the truth:.

Every single bridge camera made is a compromise..

These cameras do an awful lot, for a very reasonable price.... but someone will always tell you that a "DSLR is better"... and they will be right..

It all depends on what you want a camera for, and how much you are willing to spend..

You can search these forums and find outstanding images taken with bridge cameras, and you can find pretty mediocre ones taken with expensive DSLRs. The bottom line is that the skill of the photographer is MUCH MORE important than the technical ability of the camera..

If you understand and and are willing to accept the limitations of a bridge camera, then you will be pleased with it. If you think you can score a perfect camera for $350 then you will be sorely disappointed..

Incidentally, I use a FZ7, and wish I had an FZ8 simply for the better EVF and the ability to shoot RAW. But, these improvements aren't enough for me to upgrade, so I will patiently wait for the FZ9, if there ever is one.MartyPanasonic FZ20,Panasonic FZ7,Olympus C7000,Leica M3..

Well from reading on (mostly here) it would seem like DSLR is what I really need. The large amound of noise present in compact cameras in low light is just too much. Alot of what I'll be shooting (low light animal enclosures etc) will be lo light so grainy pics wont do..

That pentex gets a fairly good review but unfortunatly Amazon wont ship to Ireland .

Anyone know if any good online UK sites for example as they usually ship to Irl. I think I'll have to reconsider my budget, sub 500 euro or their abouts..

Thanks again for the advice, any more is appreciated!..

Just Google for UK camera suppliers.Warehouseexpress.com for example..

I've sent things abroad from Amazon.co.uk and didn't know they couldn't send to Ireland..

John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..

Thanks, I'll have a look there..

Yeah I've bought plenty of stuff from Amazon.co.uk but sometimes they have a delivery restriction on some items. Just turns out the Pentex is one of those items..

Thanks again..

Well I just bought a Nikon D40 with the standard lense. I'll see how I get on with that (without the large zoom).

Main reasons for buying that over the Canon entry model were unlimited burst shooting, price, size-weight..

Thanks for all the info, I'm sure I'll be back with lots of questions once I get the camera.gerry..