Best bridge camera group test April 2011
Canon, Nikon, Panasonic & Samsung tested
Bridge cameras aim to offer a good compromise between compact cameras and digital SLRs. You can't change lenses on a bridge camera, but the best bridge cameras offer similar image quality and the manual controls normally missing on compact cameras. We compared the Canon PowerShot G12, the Nikon Coolpix P7000, the Panasonic Lumix LX5 and the Samsung EX1 to see which is the best bridge camera.
At Which? we rigorously test compact point-and-shoot cameras, bridge cameras and digital SLRs in real-life scenarios recreated under lab conditions. This repeatable, controlled testing means our results are comparable, and only such careful testing allows us to give definitive verdicts on which are the best bridge cameras.
For this bridge camera group test we selected a small group of the top-end compact bridge cameras and took them out for a head-to-head shoot out in Capel Manor, London, to see which was the best bridge camera.
Canon PowerShot G12 vs Nikon Coolpix P7000 vs Panasonic Lumix LX5 vs Samsung EX1
The video below highlights the key differences between the four cameras, but only logged in Which? members can see the version detailing the lab-test results and find out which of these compact bridge cameras is the best.
To get the full results, and access to hundreds of other unbiased reviews, sign up for a one month trial membership for £1.
Canon G12, Nikon P7000, Panasonic LX5 & Samsung EX1 video review
Check out the full Canon G12, Nikon P7000, Panasonic LX5 and Samsung EX1 reviews
Read the detailed test results of these cameras in our full, lab-based reviews:
- Canon PowerShot G12 review
- Nikon Coolpix P7000 review
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 review
- Samsung EX1 review
All four of the compact bridge cameras tested performed very well, but a discerning photographer will want to know the subtle differences between the models, so they can take the best pictures.
Our table below shows the key specifications of the four models on test, and brings out a sample of some of our lab-based results.
To see the full results, Which? members can log in or you can try Which? today for just £1.
Digital bridge cameras compared
| Bridge camera group test results and specification comparison | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specification/info | Canon PowerShot G12 | Nikon Coolpix P7000 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 | Samsung EX1 |
| Total Which? test score |  | | | |
| Resolution | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Sensor size | 1/1.7 | 1/1.72 | 1/1.63 | 1/1.7 |
| RAW shooting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hot shoe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Widest angle | 28mm | 28mm | 24mm | 24mm |
| Tele | 140mm | 200mm | 90mm | 72mm |
| Optical zoom | 5 | 7.1 | 3.8 | 3 |
| Maximum aperture at wide setting | f2.8 | f2.8 | f2.0 | f1.8 |
| Maximum ISO setting | 3200 | 3200 | 3200 | 3200 |
| Minimum shutter speed | 1/4000 | 1/4000 | 1/4000 | 1/5000 |
| Maximum shutter speed | 15 | 60 | 60 | 16 |
| Weight | 425g | 391g | 284g | 365g |
| LCD | 2.8 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches | 3 inches |
| Display resolution | 461k | 920k | 460k | 614k |
| Viewfinder | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Video resolution | 720p | 720p | 720p | SD |
| Scene modes | 16 | 17 | 20 | 12 |
| Manual focus | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shutter speed priority | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture priority | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Overall picture quality | | | | |
| Low-light shooting | | | | |
| Image stabilisation | | | | |
| Video quality | | | | |
| Video sound quality | | | | |
| Ease of use | | | | |
| Shutter delay | | | | |
| Features | | | | |
| Monitor quality | | | | |
Digital camera reviews
If you're after a more compact digital camera, something with a more powerful zoom, or you're an advanced photographer who wants an SLR, then you might find the following reports interesting.
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