I've been agonising for ages now over my next camera, which I'm going to buy in about a month. I'd like a DSLR, but there are a number of things which put me off - namely my budget! I could afford an entry level DSLR with a kit lens, but I don't really want an entry level feature set and I don't really want a kit lens. The glass is the most important part of the camera, and who knows when I'd be able to afford a decent set of lenses?! Until then I'd be left with a basic camera with basic glass and a limited DSLR experience.

So if not a DSLR, then what? I'd pretty much written of the 'Bridge' cameras - compacts with a whopping zoom lens on them, and had been looking at the best of the compacts. In fact I'd pretty much settled on the Panasonic Lumix TZ5. Just about small enough to fit in a pocket, albeit tightly! A quality 10x zoom lens, with a 28mm wide angle. Just $300.

But a new Bridge camera has come along and caught my attention. It won't of course fit in my pocket, which is a shame, but there's always a compromise that has to be made! The camera is the Fujifilm s100fs and really has me tempted. In fact it will simply come down to my available funds at time of purchase as to whether I pick up the Fuji or the Panny. A lot of people argue that Bridge cameras are a dying breed, because with DSLR prices tumbling, there is less reason to go for them. So what makes this Fuji different from other Bridge cameras?

• The Fuji s100fs is the size of a DSLR which is perhaps a black mark against it, but it has the features set of a mid range DSLR which gives greater control and more opportunities to get creative.
  
• One issue with Bridge cameras tends to be excessive noise, but the Fuji has a much larger sensor that any of its rivals which means photo quality is massively improved. Not as good as a DSLR, true, but on a screen (I don't print out photos) you'd be pushed to tell the difference.
  
• It also has a terrific lens with a 28mm wide angle starting point and a huge 14.3 zoom. And by terrific I not only refer to its range but its quality. It has a manual zoom ring and most importantly of all overcomes the laziness factor - I don't need to change lens.
  

I want this camera! Choosing a compact would mean a sacrifice in image quality and capability to take a range of shots although there is the bonus of the low price! Choosing an entry level DSLR would sacrifice the range of shooting I could do with what would be a technically limited camera in comparison to the Fuji. This beats, at $700, will do all I want except fit in my pocket! It does have a few flaws (DPReview is particularly harsh!) but it is overall a solid snapper.

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