I'd love to get myself a bridge camera -I'm setting myself a budget of £300

I used to own a Fuji S9500 which I sold because it was just to clunky as my only camera -but a great camera and I really liked the manual zoom:

I'm just starting out on my research and the short list so far:

Fuji HS30EXR

Canon SX40

Nikon P510

Panasonic FZ150

I'm biased towards the Fuji from prior experience but I have had two Panasonic super zoom compacts (TZ-7 and TZ-20) and they're great little cameras which makes me wonder about the FZ150 -however it's a bit more expensive and older than some of the others.

I'd be very interested to hear some of your opinions.

I only have experience of my Fuji HS20, which I think is great. Brimma also bought one and loves it. In theory the HS30 should be a bit better again.

I have the Nikon P510 after being recommended it from a friend.

I am a novice photographer so needed something relatively simple to operate, but gave excellent pictures.

What I can say after using it for the last 2 weeks is that it really flatters the operator as the pictures are stunning. I really like the 42x optical zoom which gets you close to just about most subject matters.

So far I havent strayed too far from the scene settings for adjusting the camera, but hopefully will explore more over the next few weeks.

The 1080p movies are also superb

The massive zoom on the Nikon is very tempting -some reviews have said that the focusing is a problem on this camera -it 'hunts' a little particularly when the zoom is used -have you found this at all?

I'm biased towards the Fuji from prior experience

Have a look here as I've previously had an HS10 but wasn't totally impressed.

I still yearn for some of it's features though.

I'll be watching to see which one you decide to plump for.

Have a look here as I've previously had an HS10 but wasn't totally impressed.

I still yearn for some of it's features though.

I'll be watching to see which one you decide to plump for.

Thanks for that -would you care to elaborate on what you did and didn't like about the HS10.

Interesting that dogs feature heavily on the thread that you have linked -I'll be handling my two lively monsters most of the time while using it and will be using it to photograph them as well:

Thanks for that -would you care to elaborate on what you did and didn't like about the HS10.

The zoom was very good as was the frame rate (apart from the lack of frames) but the writing to memory effectively stopped the camera from being used for about 15 seconds after each burst so that meant I could potentially lose out on an even better set of shots.

Also, the quality just really didn't seem to cut it compared to an SLR - as is only to be expected I suppose.

Greenstripe ,I would PM Tsi fly as he has just sold his HS30 recently,so should no what the score is.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/242446-30x-superzoom-fujifilm-hs30exr-kit/

As Mike stated above, I went for the Fuji HS20EXR, although the model actually supplied by Argos was the HS28EXR

Overall pretty pleased with it, though it will never replace an SLR for speed of focus and detail

I bought for a few reasons, but mainly the massive 30x zoom, and I liked the idea of the panoramic function

Macro capability is also fairly good

Here's a few examples

What about the Canon G12?

Thanks for the replies so far, keep them coming

kiddy1 -that range of cameras has a very good reputation but not the type of camera that I'm looking for, thanks anyway

Well I've had a play with all 4 of the cameras in my initial post.

There's not much between the Panasonic and the Fuji -the Fuji has a bigger zoom with manual operation that I prefer. There's a new Panasonic DMC-FZ200 coming out next month which holds F2.8 all the way to full zoom at 600mm -I reckon it'll be a lot of money though (I'm guessing £450 or more at launch). But cameras are like phones -there's always something better coming out in the next few months and I want to keep it real -If I got in to DSLRs or 'compact system cameras' I'd always be wanting to spend more money on accessories.

Bought myself the Fuji HS30EXR this afternoon from Jessops as they do interest free credit. The manager was desperate to sell me all sorts of add ons: cases, memory cards, extended warranty etc. He was getting particularly pushy trying to get me to buy a UV filter -for lens protection (£20). As I'd done a collect from store via the web I guess that it doesn't make them any money - I didn't buy anything.

Uv filter isn't a bad idea, I wouldn't take a lens out without one

Uv filter isn't a bad idea, I wouldn't take a lens out without one

I'm happy to take advice on this -I was thinking of getting some sort of filter to protect the lens -however the guy in the shop was starting to annoy me and most of the accessories Jessops seem to be pretty expensive -would I not be better buying something on line a bit cheaper than their own brand £20 model. From my limited research, am I correct in thinking that a UV filter doesn't really do anything for a digital camera other than protect the lens?

I'm happy to take advice on this - I was thinking of getting some sort of filter to protect the lens

I totally agree with Loz and would also suggest getting a polarising filter at the same time.

Ebay will be able to offer a selection for less than Jessops' price.

Would any of you more experienced folk care to tell me what to look out for. With regards to brands, type etc.

Would any of you more experienced folk care to tell me what to look out for. With regards to brands, type etc.

I tend to stick with Hoya filters, seem good quality and I haven't read anything bad about them. Saying that, they're not sub £20.00 (if that's what you're looking for).

I tend to stick with Hoya filters....

Agreed. Lots online, but Amazon is usually a good starting point.

A polarising filter, as mentioned earlier, is a worthwhile alternative to a 'permanent' UV if you like to get those more-contrasty shots when available. You do have to remember that it's there, though, if you're working on auto!

Looking on Amazon for Hoya Pro-1 D filters (I assume that this is the range I should be looking at) the prices are 1/2 to 1/3 of what Jessops are charging -the majority are well under £20 which I'd be happy with.

Hoya do a Protector would I be better off starting with one of these than a UV filter so that I can get used to how the camera works before I start making things complicated?

I wouldn't use a polariser as a protective filer. Both because it's more expensive and you'll lose at least a stop of light from it.

I have a UV on two of my lenses just for protection and one has a Hoya Protector. I'd recommend either - but there's still the point of view that putting anything but the best quality glass over your lens is going to degrade quality.

On a digital camera the UV and protector will both have pretty much the same impact on the image, so either is fine.

Looking on Amazon for Hoya Pro-1 D filters (I assume that this is the range I should be looking at) the prices are 1/2 to 1/3 of what Jessops are charging -the majority are well under £20 which I'd be happy with.

Hoya do a Protector would I be better off starting with one of these than a UV filter so that I can get used to how the camera works before I start making things complicated?

With the pro filter lobby seeming to predominate can I be a dissenter?

I used to use protectors or UV filters on all my lenses until I realised that I was having problems with flare. This came to the crunch with my 10-20 Sigma where I got horrendous flare whenever I didn't have my back to the sun. I wasn't using cheapos - they were Hoya UV filters or Canon protectors, and I was using lens hoods. Took the filters off - problem disappeared.

Just some food for thought...

If you're getting flare you take it off, simple! I tend not to have any problem, the only problem I've ever found is with certain filters I sometimes get weird green blobs if I'm taking shots at night and there is a lightbulb in the shot. I just unscrew it then put it back on. It's amazing how dirty the filters can get, I'd rather not have all that on my lens element, nor would I like to then rub it in with a cleaning cloth. Best filters afaik B&W - never had a problem with my B&W ones compared to Hoya.

Good example in favour of filters, my dad has loads of Zeiss lenses, which have always had skylight filters on. I now use these lenses and the filters were pretty speckled and mucky (despite lens caps) so I removed them and cleaned them and the lenses are utterly perfect. That's enough of a reason for me.

I also wouldn't vote for a polariser as a permanent filter, as it's an actual filter which affects your shots, you don't always want it there. It would also be dire for indoor/low light shooting.

I've bought myself a Hoya 58mm PRO1 Digital Protector Filter from Amazon for £16.88 instead of £39.99 at Jessops.

I've also bought a Hama Rexton 110 bag from Asda for £23

Would any of you more experienced folk care to tell me what to look out for. With regards to brands, type etc.

My favourite brand is usually whatever is the cheapest!

Don't go believing that just because they normally come from Hong Kong that they will be poor quality either!