Bridge cameras or super zooms or any other name this category is known by includes cameras with a large range lens, meaning it covers from Wide to Telefocal lengths and a lot of settings. Most of them have shooting modes similar to DSLR cameras, this includes modes like aperture priority,ISO priority , fully manual and so on.

The main features that distinguish then from DSLR’s are: they have fixed lens and you cannot change it, they have electronic view finders, they have small sensors, they generally have older processors. These are just few of the features that distinguish between the two categories. Reading those might make you feel as though bridges have all negatives.

The first thing to understand is that Bridge category came into being so as to make professional like (not professional but professional like) photography previously addressed by entry level DSLR’s more affordable. This lead to the opening of this realm to a larger crowed which means more money to the companies. The design of bridges does make sacrifices to bring the cost down. The major cost of DSLR’s involve the Lenses but bridges don’t need any they have a versatile but lower quality lens that addresses all ranges from wide angle to super telephoto. They have smaller sensors but these are much larger compared to normal point and shoot cameras. Most allow some kind of manual focusing system and so on lets now see the advantages in going for a bridge in comparison to P&S and SLR.

Advantages over Point and Shoot cameras :

1. More Zoom: most bridge cameras offer more than 10x zoom which is way more than what point and shoots usually have. This is a major advantage in comparison to normal point and shoot cameras. The increase in zoom is for a relatively smaller price difference than the one between p&s and DSLRS with a range of lens that would enable the kind of range given by the bridge segment.
2. Generally more ISO: Due to the fact that they have better processors than normal p&s and also the fact they generally they have larger sensors they give much better ISO performance than p&s. Their larger sensor also give better ISO performance than the spec like sensors found on Point and shoot cameras.
3. Large sensors: They have large sensors this amounts to a lot of advantages including better noise performance etc. A major advantage a larger sensor gives is that they give smaller DOF and thus better bokeh. So they give much better pictures in terms of focus etc than point and shoots.
4. Larger flash: Most bridges have larger and more power full flash than p&s and some even allow use of external flash. This allows the use of these cameras on a lot more occasions. There are people using bridges for even wedding and such photographic applications where flashes play a very important role.
5. More control: They give control over the different settings like aperture, ISO, shutter speed etc. They also allow things like bracketing and so on. They generally have controls equivalent to DSLR but at a smaller range.
6. Optical Stabilization: Most p&s have digital image stabilization where as bridges usually employ optical stabilization due to the fact that they offer larger focal lengths. They also some times have a combination of the two to give better stability. With large focal lengths its always important to have OS otherwise shooting at lower light settings will become next to impossible.

Advantages over an DSLR, these are mostly in terms of economics than quality:

1. No cost of lens: The single lens or non interchangeable lens address a wide range of focal lengths, that a hobbyist would most likely use. This call for a large reduction in investment than a DSLR kit with lens to address the same range of focal lengths which would easily cost 5-10 times the amount.
2. Smaller to carry: They give better result than p&s and address a larger focal range and have better Low light performance than a p&s. They are much smaller than a DSLR kit, thus are handy and much more versatile to carry around during holidays, parties etc than a full DSLR kit.
3. Live view Mode: only the higher end DSLR’s have live view mode which is handy in many situations. This feature is usually a standard on bridges as they use electronic shutters rather than real shutters.
4. In Camera Editing: Again only higher end DSLR units have many in camera editing options which can be found on most bridges. These range from cropping to color fixing and special effects. The range of in camera functions found on bridges are vast and some time more than what is found on DSLR’s
5. Swivel LCD: Many bridges have swivel LCD or LCD’s that can be moved around to give various angles. This allows shooting at angle that is not possible when looking through the view finder. Only higher end or actually very few DSLR’s have this capability. This is a very hand feature allowing one to take stunning pictures and unimaginable angles. This might affect the build quality though.
6. In Camera OS: Most bridges have in camera optical stabilization, this feature is either built into costly lens or are found only on a few bodies in the DSLR realm. OS is a very important feature when it comes to tele to super telephotos. This feature is a very important when we consider the price range we are getting this at.

There are many disadvantages a bridge has over a DSLR but there are some distinct advantages including cost that makes then a positive addition to even photographers having high end equipment. To p&s cameras these are bulkier and some times costlier but bridges definitely have more under thier sleeve than p&s cameras.

Do consider a bridge in you kit if you already have a high end kit, as they will allow you some flexibility. If you currently have a p&s and is serious about photography, then it might be time to consider an upgrade.

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