Camera recommendations: Looking to buy a new camera, can't decide between bridge or compact. Looking for a good zoom lens, not too complicated to use, not fussed about wifi or...

welshgypsy Loc: North Wales UK

Looking to buy a new camera, can't decide between bridge or compact. Looking for a good zoom lens, not too complicated to use, not fussed about wifi or touchscreen just one that takes great shots. Budget is up to £800.
Already have a Canon 4000D DSLR and a Panasonic Lumix TZ70 that I have had for ages and loved the picture quality and zoom but is now starting to have problems so wanting one to upgrade from this that I don't have to faff about changing lenses but gives me all theup to date features of a great camera. Most of the time my DSLR is gathering dust as it's too bulky to carry everything around.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

welshgypsy wrote:

Looking to buy a new camera, can't decide between ... (show quote)

Hard to beat the Sony RX10iv, but it might be a bit above your price limit. Perhaps a used one.

JonathanChemE

welshgypsy wrote:

Looking to buy a new camera, can't decide between ... (show quote)

If you don’t need a viewfinder how about the Sony RX100 current model?

welshgypsy Loc: North Wales UK

JonathanChemE wrote:

If you don’t need a viewfinder how about the Sony RX100 current model?

I do like to have a viewfinder

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

JonathanChemE wrote:

If you don’t need a viewfinder how about the Sony RX100 current model?

That does have a pop-up viewfinder!

radiojohn

welshgypsy wrote:

Looking to buy a new camera, can't decide between bridge or compact. Looking for a good zoom lens, not too complicated to use, not fussed about wifi or touchscreen just one that takes great shots.

I was going through some shots and was surprised that some very sharp photos were taken with my Pentax X-5. A 16MP bridge camera with 26x zoom and EVF finder that is OK, but not like current models.

Not much to offer for full manual exposure, but lots of auto and semi-auto options Very easy to use and handles well. 4 AA batteries.

USD $50-$90 used on eBay. A great camera for casual use.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

To reiterate..... Both the Sony RX-10 series, and the RX100 series have viewfinders and a "1"" sensor, and Zeiss lenses. The difference is that the RX-10 series is a large camera and the RX100 series is a pocket sized camera. If you want the highest optical product, the RX-10 with larger glass will probably be best for you. If you want portability, the RX100 series with the pop-up viewfinder is a fantastic product. I have owned both.

radiojohn

azted wrote:

To reiterate..... Both the Sony RX-10 series, and the RX100 series have viewfinders and a "1"" sensor, and Zeiss lenses. The difference is that the RX-10 series is a large camera and the RX100 series is a pocket sized camera. If you want the highest optical product, the RX-10 with larger glass will probably be best for you. If you want portability, the RX100 series with the pop-up viewfinder is a fantastic product. I have owned both.

Sound like great cameras!

How are they for simplicity of use?

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

The Olympus T-6 is a pretty nice compact camera and waterproof as well.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

radiojohn wrote:

Sound like great cameras!

How are they for simplicity of use?

It depends upon your level of expertise. They can be fully automatic (including pop up flash) or you can use manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, or program. They both shoot Raw or Jpg.

timbuktutraveler

I have the latest SONY RX100 M7

It DEFINITELY has a viewfinder

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

azted wrote:

To reiterate..... Both the Sony RX-10 series, and the RX100 series have viewfinders and a "1"" sensor, and Zeiss lenses. The difference is that the RX-10 series is a large camera and the RX100 series is a pocket sized camera. If you want the highest optical product, the RX-10 with larger glass will probably be best for you. If you want portability, the RX100 series with the pop-up viewfinder is a fantastic product. I have owned both.

And if these are not in your budget, the Panasonic comparable models, Lumix DC-ZS200D and Lumix DMC-FZ2500 may be for you. Both have 1" sensors and non-interchangeable, wide range zoom lenses.

jack schade Loc: La Pine Oregon

It might be worth your while to rent the camera that you decide on to see if all the ergonomics are to your liking.

jack

radiojohn

There are days when I tire of big gear....

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

While the Sony RX100 M7 is a great camera with a viewfinder and a 24-200mm (eq.) zoom, it’s also above your stated budget at $1300.00 USD, although you may find one used for a bit less than that. You stated you like your Panasonic Lumix TZ70. Why not consider the newer TZ-80? For a good bridge camera with a moderate zoom range, the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 II is a good choice. It zooms out to 400mm eq. range. It also has a 1” type sensor. Going back to Sony, the first RX100 models only zoom to 70mm eq., and have no viewfinder. Versions 3, 4 and 5 do, but only zoom to 70mm. Versions 6 and 7 zoom to 200mm and have a pop up viewfinder.