Canisdirus

Sony is in another league.
Bigger and better sensor.
Faster and more accurate AF system (borrowed from the A9 series).
Frankly, the long reach claim to fame with other bridge cameras is more of a gimmick.
How many moon shots do you actually want?
Other than that...super long lenses are handicapped with cutting through A LOT of land-atmosphere.
Do I shoot past 600mm? Yes, I do...but with a lens with a 95mm filter size...onto a FF sensor.
It's not the same thing with a smaller lens diameter with a very small sensor (Nikon).
Get the Sony. Pay once ...and be satisfied.

nikonbrain Loc: Crystal River Florida

I myself do not own a mirrorless camera , I did for a brief 4 months . Let me explain , I print for a handful of photographers .One particular client bought a new Sony RX10 m3 and spent 5 months trying to use it and missing focus on a lot of images and he got to where he didn't trust it and would always use his Nikon p700 instead . He then handed it to me said I could have it for $500.00 . Myself owning a D810 gave it a try . I was able to get the center focus point to lock on and track and used for awhile but I was not that impressed with the convoluted Menu . I also didn't like the preview of the past image popping up in the viewfinder blocking the bird I was tracking , it took me awhile to stop it from doing that . Another client told Me he wanted to try it as street walk around camera to add to his camera bag with his d850 ..so he now owns it but wants to sell it to get his $500.00 back or at least part of it . He has the same complaint the Menu is not straight forward so is presently trying to sell it . The original owner went out and bought the Nikon P950 and loves it . I print all his work and large canvases up to 4 feet wide and larger . In the past 2 1/2 months he has sold over $8,000.00 in canvases granted some of the images are from his older cameras but a good percentage are from the P950 .It's ISO limit is not the greatest . Have you considered The new Nikon Z50 mirrorless for $856.00 or with a 16-50 and a 50-250 for $1,195.00 I know nothing about the camera perhaps others do .

Tina 2 Loc: New Hampshire

nikonbrain,

I shoot for shear pleasure, and I'm not really interested in a super zoom. Sharp, clear pictures is my goal. I'd be happy with a 600 - 800mm zoom. The only thing holding me back from buying the RX10 iv is that the grip is just a little too wide for my hand, and therefore not as
comfortable as the 950 grip. What I am going to do is buy the RX10 from my camera store that has a 30 day return policy, carry it around and use it. If I can get comfortable with the grip, great. If not, I'll return it and buy the P950.

When I travel I am holding my camera for the better part of a day, so having a comfortable hand grip is important.

Thank you for your input. I greatly appreciate it.

Tina

Tina 2 Loc: New Hampshire

Thanks, you have very valid points.

Tina

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

That’s what I’d do. I use the long focal lengths on my P900 much less than I thought I would, so that’s just a bonus for when I want to play around. I think you’ll find that the RX10IV isn’t that much heavier than the P950 and is a far better camera. The Nikon’s a good camera, but as bridge cameras go, the RX10IV can’t be beat. As a bonus, assuming you are shooting in JPEG, the Sony has a feature called Clear Image Zoom, or CIZ. It’s a different kind of digital zoom that lets you effectively double the focal length of your lens to further zoom in on a subject without appreciable loss of image quality. That gives you a 35mm equivalent of 1200mm. But again, it only works in JPEG mode. If you can afford it, the RX is the way to go.

paige1209

Tina, I just sold my Sony RX10. It is a wonderful camera and just light enough to be able to use a wrist strap on it. I sold it because I have more need for wide angle and portrait lenses. I can't give you any feedback on the Nikon but it is heavier.

If you want a really good price, go to MPB.com. They sell pre-owned cameras and you can get one from them in like-new condition. I have had several transactions with them and can vouch for their dependability and honesty.
You might want to check the availability of the P950 as well. If you have any questions, they are reachable by phone. Ask other members what they think of MPB and 99% will rate it highly. Good Luck.

Lila Rubin

Tina 2 Loc: New Hampshire

Thank you for the information Lila.

Tina 2 Loc: New Hampshire

Thank you for the information Lila.

Tina 2 Loc: New Hampshire

I shoot in JPEG. Thanks for the info!

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

My solution for longer reach was to purchase a used Nikon 1 J1 for about $100 on ebay and the Nikon FT1 autofocus adapter for $225 new, and use my 55-300 nikkor lens, which gave me a 1" sensor and an equivalent focal length of 810mm for birding. It was the best and cheapest and lightest solution I could find for birding. The 1" sensor lets me crop to 100% which is not possible with a smaller sensor. Here is a bird on a one inch wire at about 75 ft.

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Harold Stetson Loc: Marquam 97038

I have a P1000 and an RX10 both 1st edition and IV. I am evaluating all of them, like I know what I am doing but what the hell. The P1000 is an amazing novelty. The RX10 IV should be the real deal but the straight RX10 works really great for me and is not limited to 200 mm. It has a digital zoom also and gives me 400. It takes great pictures. It does not me. The IV should be better but only has a little more zoom and a way different menu. IV is quite a bit larger also. Not as large as the P1000 but quite a bit larger than the RX10. All have good and bad points but the RX 10 seems to end up in my hand more than the other cameras. From what you describe I would like to see you try a straight RX10. Smaller, almost as much zoom as IV. Way cheaper. You can get a straight RX for 5 to 6 hundred bucks and they work great. Not to say the others don't. I am going to send the IV to ORpilot and let him evaluate it as he is way better than me. He may figure out why it's much more expensive.

niteman3d Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA

So... whatever happened? Are you still here and did you buy the P950?

Harold Stetson Loc: Marquam 97038

I am here and it's a P1000 and an RX10. Both great cameras. I got rid of the RX10 one and bought a 4. I have both. Love both. I actually took better pictures with the RX 10 I than I do with the new one but what the hell. I have taken some great sunset shots with the P1000 thou that should be RX territory. I have taken some great moon shots with the RX and that should be P1000. I am thinking of going back to my D3500 cuz I understand the menu and can do some amazing things with it. It's better in low light than either of the 2 more expensive cameras.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Guys .... the thread is 2-years old, who cares?

BTW - insider tip: click the user name and review their posting history. You can see the OP hasn't participated on the site since Feb 2023.

Harold Stetson Loc: Marquam 97038

The RX10 is an amazing camera. My first was a 2 and I had to have the 4. The 1 and 2 are smaller and great cameras. My P1000 is huge. Not sure about the 950 but I am pretty sure it's smaller. My guess is if you try the RX 10 II you will love it. I bought the 4 because of the extra zoom but the I and II have digiat a zoom and are smaller. I am guessing you might like it. I actually took better pictures with my II.