A 'Bridge Camera' will not satisfy a person who has decided he needs a DSLR; always he will be thinking he has not made the correct choice, so even if a Bridge Camera would logically fit his lifestyle better than a DSLR, the DSLR experience must be entered into in an enthusiastic manner with a capable camera..

My needs are:Fast start and AF>>.

Yes. A DSLR will offer this provided that you do not select old and slow focusing lenses..

Sharp pictures>>.

Yes. But you may need to set the sharpening level of your choice..

Basically Point and shoot, nice pictures out of the box with automatic settings.>>.

Yes, you can do this but for difficult situations you must alter the exposure compensation. You may also need to choose color and contrast characteristrics..

Seq pictures of "action" moves, like the amuzmentpark.>>.

More difficult. To get 3fps requires medium-level-plus DSLR like D80 or 30D.DSLR does not take movies..

Minimum delay from buttonpush to picture taken>>.

Most DSLRs are good in this respect..

Lens suggestions to the DSLR?I basicly want to take pictures at vacations, birthdays and otherevents. Don't take pictures of specific macro, telezom and otherextreem things. is the standard 18-55 lens enough or should I takethe extra step and get me an 18-200 lens? Have no experiance withthis things.>>.

18mm is not wide (as would be 18mm in 35mm terms) so = 28mm200mm = 350mm in 35mm terms. 500 needed for birding etc..

18-200 can be too dark at the telephoto end and may have significant geometrical distortion and suffer from fringing (if not all colours focus exactly at the same point)..

I think 18-55 is not enough range. Nikon also offer 18-70 and 18-135..

Size is a trade of and i'm willing to sacrifice it for betterperformance.>>.

Good. You should look at Canon 30D and Nikon D200. Also Pentax K10..

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

From what i've heard the nikon d40x is the easiest to use DSLR..

That being said, it shouldn't be too hard to learn to use any DSLR..

I think you should also check out the olympus E system, as it's generally cheaper than other systems and doesn't have any major shortcomings (disclaimer though, I have an olympus).

I would suggest you find a store where you can play around with all the different cameras you're considering..

For entry level DSLRs that are pretty cheap, I woudl suggest you look at the following models at the very least:.

Nikon d40xcannon rebel xtiolympus e410olympus e510sony alpha.

These will probably be on display at your best buy or circuit city, sometimes with batteries in them..

As for lenses, I think the kit lenses would be fine for you...

Alienshards wrote:.

From what i've heard the nikon d40x is the easiest to use DSLR..

That being said, it shouldn't be too hard to learn to use any DSLR..

Learning is the easier part.. not getting ripped of or dissapointed is harder..

Is the d40X good enough? Why should I choose it instead of the D80? Except for the money?.

I think you should also check out the olympus E system, as it'sgenerally cheaper than other systems and doesn't have any majorshortcomings (disclaimer though, I have an olympus).

My girlfriend have an olympus and it have given me a litle bad taste in quality and functionality, compared to my Ixus. Than the olympys policy to use their own stuff whitout cheaper alternatives, like batteries, chargers and memory, cabels is kind of unaxeptable. Like their Live view though.. and their price.

I would suggest you find a store where you can play around with allthe different cameras you're considering..

Will try that as soon as possible. Just wasn't sure of if I should proceed my quest for a DSLR or some simpler model. John managed to convince me in the matter..

For entry level DSLRs that are pretty cheap, I woudl suggest you lookat the following models at the very least:.

Nikon d40xcannon rebel xti.

Have been glancing at this model, but whitout the battery grip, it is to small for my big hands..

Olympus e410olympus e510sony alpha.

Yes, the sony is interesting, but what can it offer for possibilities to grow with the camera? Sony usualy build greate stuff, but they have let me down from time to time with the same menatlity as olympus and IBM. difficult to upgrade, products discountinued, new product new accesorries...

John farrar wrote:.

A 'Bridge Camera' will not satisfy a person who has decided he needsa DSLR; always he will be thinking he has not made the correctchoice, so even if a Bridge Camera would logically fit his lifestylebetter than a DSLR, the DSLR experience must be entered into in anenthusiastic manner with a capable camera..

Thanks for the enlightment.. a DSLR it will be! .

Sharp pictures>>.

Yes. But you may need to set the sharpening level of your choice..

I'm not afraid of experimenting with the settings.. just that my Ixus doesn't have those kind of settings. .

I think 18-55 is not enough range. Nikon also offer 18-70 and 18-135..

At my local shop they had a lens that went from 18-200 and it said nikon.. fair price and shake reduction. not sure if it was a NIKON lens or just the cap. But as I understand from your comment. Buying an "alround" lens is a good start. I'm not sure i'm willing to carry around a extra bag of lenses.

I realise that I will have to buy some nice lenses...

Good. You should look at Canon 30D and Nikon D200. Also Pentax K10..

D200 is to expensive.. but nice though. but i'm intrested in the Canon 30D..

How is it compared to the D80. as I understand the 30D is litle older...

Pentax.. will look into that..

I read earlier in some post that stepping into DSLR is more than a camera house, it is friends, lenses and all other options around...

I think you seem content enough with the nikon series to go nikon. as for whether the d80 will work for you, check out the review on this site, and play around with it a bit..

As for your listed needs; I don't know, as I don't have a d80, but the review should answer most, if not all..

However, I will offer a bit of insight on these needs:.

Fast start and AF.

All DSLRs I know of start up very fast- even olympus's 1.4 second startup is less than the time it takes to remove the lens cap. Most are instant on- the reviews will tell you want it is..

Sharp pictures.

Sharp picture usually means pro quality glass, which means going away from kits. Long zoom ranges in a single lens, like an 18-180mm, are generally less sharp than shorter zoom ranges, like a 40-150. The sharpest glass are primes, which are limited to only one focal length, but are usually very very good for that length..

Basicly Point and shoot,.

Most entry DSLRs will offer an auto mode and some scene modes. Some have more than others- the reviews would tell you. I don't know about pro models though..

Nice pictures out of the box with automatic settings..

DSLRs are leaps and bounds above P+S digicams, so if that's your comparison then just going to DSLR will be enough for you..

Seq pictures of "action" moves, like the amuzmentpark..

Not sure what this means. If you mean the ability to take video- no DSLRs have that. If you mean the ability to take a continuous stream of pictures, then all DSLRs (that I know of), have this ability. You simply hold down the shutter and it keeps taking photographs until it runs out of memory (either incamera buffer or memory card)..

Minimum delay from buttonpush to picture taken.

All DSLRs have very little delay..

Based on these, i'd say the only one not covered by the cheaper entry level DSLRs would be sharp photos- in which case it may be more benificial for you to save on the camera body and spend the extra cash buying some pro quality glass. If you feel like you need a better camera in a few years, you'll be able to buy a better camera while keeping the pro glass...

Bader_m wrote:.

I think 18-55 is not enough range. Nikon also offer 18-70 and 18-135..

At my local shop they had a lens that went from 18-200 and it saidnikon.. fair price and shake reduction. not sure if it was a NIKONlens or just the cap. But as I understand from your comment. Buyingan "alround" lens is a good start. I'm not sure i'm willing to carryaround a extra bag of lenses.

I realise that I will have to buy some nice lenses...

SOunds like the Nikon 18-200VR. Very sought after. Quite possible the best you can get in this range..

Good. You should look at Canon 30D and Nikon D200. Also Pentax K10..

D200 is to expensive.. but nice though. but i'm intrested in theCanon 30D..

How is it compared to the D80. as I understand the 30D is litle older...

Well, it's loads better than the smaller Canons..

Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

Bader_m wrote:.

Alienshards wrote:.

From what i've heard the nikon d40x is the easiest to use DSLR..

That being said, it shouldn't be too hard to learn to use any DSLR..

Learning is the easier part.. not getting ripped of or dissapointedis harder.Is the d40X good enough? Why should I choose it instead of the D80?Except for the money?.

Because it's smaller, which appeals to some people, and it's whole interface is designed for the beginning Nikon owner..

Have a look here:http://www.nikondigitutor.com/index_eng.html.

It has animations showing how to do things on all nikon DSLRs..

I would suggest you find a store where you can play around with allthe different cameras you're considering..

Will try that as soon as possible. Just wasn't sure of if I shouldproceed my quest for a DSLR or some simpler model. John managed toconvince me in the matter..

Don't stare yourself blind at features. A camera that feels right in your hand is worth a lot more than a dozen features..

For entry level DSLRs that are pretty cheap, I woudl suggest you lookat the following models at the very least:.

Nikon d40xcannon rebel xti.

Have been glancing at this model, but whitout the battery grip, it isto small for my big hands..

Olympus e410olympus e510sony alpha.

Yes, the sony is interesting, but what can it offer for possibilitiesto grow with the camera? Sony usualy build greate stuff, but theyhave let me down from time to time with the same menatlity as olympusand IBM. difficult to upgrade, products discountinued, new productnew accesorries..

Difficult to say at this time. There's a rumor that there's more bodies in the pipeline. They have added to their lens lineup. They use the old minolta AF lenses..

Their a100 is the first Sony camera ever that felt to me like it wouldn't die of old age a week after the warranty would expire. A guy in my photography course had one. Got decent results with it..

Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

I have now come to the conclusion to go down and play around with the cameras in the store..

Liked the sony A100, and the canon 400D.. My girlfriend liked them to.. but she is holding the money.. want to by a washing machine instead...

The olympus was out of battery.. so I will go back soon and ask them to charge the batteries. I think my girlfriend will appriciate the LiveView feature since she has glases..

Are there any direct warnings against these cameras?..

Liked the sony A100, and the canon 400D.. My girlfriend liked themto.. but she is holding the money.. want to by a washing machineinstead...

The olympus was out of battery.. so I will go back soon and ask themto charge the batteries. I think my girlfriend will appriciate theLiveView feature since she has glases..

Are there any direct warnings against these cameras?.

No. All have very good reputations and many satisfied users and you cannot make a 'bad' choice from these. In the end personal preferences (like live-view if you prefer it) will swing it one way or the other, and whichever you like best will be fine..

Enjoy the washing machine...Mike..

We all have our favorite cameras. The best is always the one that we use. However you might want to check out the Olympus 410 or 510. Both are under $1,000 US with a 2 lens kit..

I have the 510 and the inclusion of image stabilizaiton is a great benefit. Also they both have live view. All the cameras you have discussed are quality cameras but the Olys are often overlooked and they are a true value in the entry and mid range DSLR..

Here is the link to the review of the E410..

Http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympuse410/.

MaddogOlympus E-500, Olympus E-510..

Bader_m wrote:.

Hello..

Hi....

My friend took some pictures with his DSLR camera and I liked thespeed and quality of the pictures. (sharp and clear)..

Something that nobody mentioned: A dSLR will normally require some post processing (PP). In contrast, fixed-lens cameras, that are aimed at simple consumers, will be adjusted to accentuate colors, conrast, and sharpness. Also, the higher you go "up" the dSLR food chain, the more correct this generalization is..

I have been looking on Nikon D80 but i'm unsure since it is a lot ofmoney. Is there any better suggestions out there? Maybe the "bridge"modells?.

There is no definition of a "bridge" that is universally agreed on. I think a "bridge" is a camera that shares features of both "P&S" and "SLR" cameras. For example, if a compact camera was avalable with a removable liens, it would be a "bridge". There are not many "bridge" cameras..

A better term to use is "prosumer", which is a high-end "P&S"..

My needs are:Fast start and AF.

"P&S" cameras have slow startup because they mostly have lenses that retract into the body for compactness..

"P&S" cameras use "Contrast AF", which is slower than "Phase AF" which is used in "dSLR" cameras. Check the reviews: There are some cameras with fast Contrast AF. The fastest Contrast AF systems overlap the range of Phase AF speeds..

You didn't mention Shutter Lag. The fastest shutters are on "P&S" cameras...about 0.005 seconds, which is about 10X faster than the best dSLR shutter lags..

However, Contrast AF falls down when the light is low and the subject has low contrast..

Sharp pictures.

Need good optics. Both kinds of cameras (if you insist there are only 2) can deliver sharp pix..

Basicly Point and shoot,nice pictures out of the box with automatic settings..

As mentioned above, a dSLR will often require some PP to give impressive pix..

Seq pictures of "action" moves, like the amuzmentpark..

Burst mode is better on dSLRs..

Minimum delay from buttonpush to picture taken.

All digital cameras have 2-stage shutter buttons. The first stage does exposure and focus. The second stage captures the image. The proper way to take a digital pic is to FIRST, point the camera at an object that is lighted properly and the proper distance away and perform a half-press (and hold it). Then frame the pic by moving the camera. Do no change the zoom setting at this juncture...it should be done before the half-press.

This proces is essentially the same regardless of the camera..

Lens suggestions to the DSLR?.

Start out with the basic 1-lens or 2-lens "kit" lens(es)..

I basicly want to take pictures at vacations, birthdays and otherevents. Don't take pictures of specific macro, telezom and otherextreem things. is the standard 18-55 lens enough or should I takethe extra step and get me an 18-200 lens? Have no experiance withthis things..

Size is a trade of and i'm willing to sacrifice it for betterperformance..

Size doesn't seem to affect "performance" as much as it does ergonomics..

Charlie DavisNikon 5700 & Sony R1CATS #25PAS Scribe @ http://www.here-ugo.com/PAS_List.htmHomePage: http://www.1derful.info'I brake for pixels...'..

Sharp pictures.

Sharp picture usually means pro quality glass, which means going awayfrom kits..

Ehrm. Nikon has some excelent kit-lenses when it comes to sharpness. The 18-70 for example..

Hans-Emil..