Compact vs. Bridge vs. dSLR

[nikosis]

Hello,
I asked similar question as others many times and noticed that in the end there are different opinions what is good for what with end result that dSLR gives the best pictures. Thats great. We all know that... But it's discusion never ends... I'm looking for the good camera for myself at the moment by myself... Top level compacts and bridge cameras are sometimes even more expensive then entry level dSLR's (in set with 1 or 2 lenses...)
So I have an idea for a group test... Just to show to people (like myslef) where are differences.... Regarding tests... It would be cool test to compare top level copact with bridge and entry level dSLR. Standard lens for dSLR (as sold...yes we all know that we can then fit on it great lens that cost as much as the car...). I think that budget of £400-£500 should be OK as some compacts can cost that much (G11...).
Compare them in auto modes and with "the best manual settings" so people can see side by side what is the difference in quality beetween them. To compare pictures... Same places, views, zooms (again, max zoom would be the worst from the group... Higher eventually just to show that it can but as additional pictures) and time... One indoors, one lansdscape (good light and other low light condition, sunset...), one macro and one city...
That would show what people can expect from the camera that they are choosing...
You can mention about things like size, easy use and etc. So some people can make their mind...
Regards,
D.

[Chris Humphreys]

Interesting idea, but isn't is a bit like comparing apples, oranges and bananas? I'm not sure what it would show other than saying good results can be achieved with any camera in the right hands....

Just my tuppence....

[nikosis]

You are right... It's just this never ending qestions of people (I've been one of them ) of which camera to buy? Thanks to that they can see exactly how they perform and decide is which compromise is OK for them... We know that P&S fro that money will make good pictures in auto, is small etc... dSLR in auto will suck but in manual (so they will have to learn and etc.) will be the BEST... But is big, takes time to learn how to use it (and probably you know that many people buy dSLR and keep it on auto because they think that it is camera that is making great pictures...), needs different lenses for different perp... Etc.
So example... If newbie will have pointed out all + and - points and then see the results (pictures) one next to each other, then can decide what he want to do without asking again (every forum that I've seen about photography have few of those question a day! <well... maybe some few a week >
Maybe calling it test is wrong but... Proffesional advise from pros?

[Nattydee]

I think it is not exactly like compare apples, oranges and bananas. Because end user will get the pictures that they wanted and for the professional user still be able to do things that they wanted to do but some kind of techniques are limited with some type of camera. So every type have a good point for different group of user. So my idea is you also cannot compare the different between them.

[footloose1949]

If you bolted all of the cameras onto a concrete wall, then fired the shutters all at the same time, changing the modes to P,A and S you might get some meaningful comparisons. The cameras will be subject to the internal processors used for metering, colour bias and what the designers consider to be the 'correct' levels of R,G and B at different light levels, because of the traits of each particular sensor.

However, as soon as any human intervenes on any of these things, even as basic as just holding the camera, (because some people hold cameras steadier than others) the results get corrupted. Finally, another issue needs to be addressed which is that of the Nikon/Canon fanboys who invariably refuse to accept that another manufacturer's product is 'better'