I do not say them as new breed of cameras, but yes they are high powered zoom BRIDGE cameras. U can enjoy the SLR design with bigger zooms. So this dream-come-true LUMIX DMC FZ 150 from PANASONIC is worth a buy. I remember its long time old FZ50 with 10.1 MP and 12x zoom with 35-420 focal length. But now technology has enhanced the zooming power with good image quality. And I think you will feel proud to own one, if you have DSLRs or even compacts in your gear.
2) This high end camera comes with 12.1 MP resolution, with the advancement of technology bringing the zoom more wide to cover large area and great telephoto range---24x zoom with 25-600 focal length. CMOS sensor for better quality pictures....It has to its credit the 'nano surface coating' to reduce the effects of internal reflections in its long zoom lens....The camera shoots in RAW as well as JPEG formats. It captures 1080p60 HD movies and has optical image stabilisation, a boon for the shaky hands. Besides 24x optical zoom, it has built in 4x Digital zoom too, to extend focal length further, though with some loss in quality, which, in my opinion, can be rectified in photoshop, if u wish. It also has electronic viewfinder for shooting in broad daylight, if LCD panel is too bright to view. Macro facility comes near to 1 cm and the number of focus points are 23, which is the latest trend, with other cameras too. The lens has f2.8-5.2. A 3'' LCD screen with 460,000 dots and Shutter speeds range from 30 sec to 1/2000. Yea, it has pop-up flash with an hot-shoe for external flash, (it is a bonus for me). The built in flash has a range of 9.5 m coverage....this too is good for pro-photography. U will have Aperture, Shutter priority and Manual modes to control the light reaching the sensor to give optimum quality exposure....70 MB internal memory, with facility of now much in vogue the SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards. It is powered by Lithiom-ion rechargeable battery and weighs 528gms....a good support in hand to handle big zoom for sharp pictures.
3) It comes with 16GB memory card, camera case, table-top tripod and spare li-ion battery. So just try at a nearby Cam shop. The cost is approx.$500.
