Editing Digital camera (section)

=== Bridge cameras ===
[[File:Sony DSC-H2 01.jpg|thumb|Sony DSC-H2]]
{{Main|Bridge camera}}

Bridge cameras physically resemble DSLRs, and are sometimes called DSLR-shape or DSLR-like. They provide some similar features but, like compacts, they use a fixed lens and a small sensor. Some compact cameras have also PSAM mode.{{clarify|PSAM mode|date=September 2021}} Most use live preview to frame the image. Their usual autofocus is by the same contrast-detect mechanism as compacts, but many bridge cameras have a [[manual focus]] mode and some have a separate focus ring for greater control.

The big physical size and small sensor allow superzoom and wide aperture. Bridge cameras generally include an [[image stabilization]] system to enable longer handheld exposures, sometimes better than DSLR for low light conditions.

As of 2014, bridge cameras come in two principal classes in terms of sensor size, firstly the more traditional 1/2.3" sensor (as measured by [[image sensor format]]) which gives more flexibility in lens design and allows for handholdable zoom from 20 to 24&nbsp;mm (35&nbsp;mm equivalent) wide angle all the way up to over 1000&nbsp;mm supertele, and secondly a 1" sensor that allows better image quality particularly in low light (higher ISO) but puts greater constraints on lens design, resulting in zoom lenses that stop at 200&nbsp;mm (constant aperture, e.g. Sony RX10) or 400&nbsp;mm (variable aperture, e.g. Panasonic Lumix FZ1000) equivalent, corresponding to an optical zoom factor of roughly 10 to 15.

Some bridge cameras have a lens thread to attach accessories such as wide-angle or [[Teleconverter|telephoto converters]] as well as filters such as UV or [[Polarizing filter (photography)|Circular Polarizing]] filter and lens hoods. The scene is composed by viewing the display or the [[electronic viewfinder]] (EVF). Most have a slightly longer [[shutter lag]] than a DSLR. Many of these cameras can store images in a raw format in addition to supporting JPEG.{{efn|JPEG is a lossy compression format with less colour depth than typical of raw formats; however, most raw formats require demosaicing ("raw converter") software to be viewed properly.}} The majority have a built-in flash, but only a few have a hotshoe.

In bright sun, the quality difference between a good compact camera and a digital SLR is minimal but bridge cameras are more portable, cost less and have a greater zoom ability. Thus a bridge camera may better suit outdoor daytime activities, except when seeking professional-quality photos.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Jonny |date=2023-02-13 |title=Which type of digital camera should you choose? |url=https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/digital-cameras/article/which-type-of-digital-camera-should-you-choose-a6X9r1o3K8Nr |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Which? |language=en}}</ref>