Bridge cameras (Page 2): You don't have to switch, but a bridge camera can come in handy. I bought a used Nikon P950 with a fantastic zoom.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You don't have to switch, but a bridge camera can come in handy. I bought a used Nikon P950 with a fantastic zoom.

larryhav Loc: Charlotte, NC

I too switched from a full frame Cannon 5DIV with several heavy lenses to the Sony RX10IV and have not looked back. It looks and feels like a slightly smaller DSLR which I like. However, I can now instantly zoom in and out from 24 - 600mm without worrying about changing lenses and possibly missing a shot. Note that I no longer create large prints from my Sony RX10IV. Although it is possible in the right conditions, I think you will get better quality prints from the full frame cameras. I only use it for posting on the internet and family photo books. If that is what you will be doing, the Sony RX10IV is an excellent choice.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

[quote=Jeannie88 What about Sony? Many years ago , I did have a Sony 828, I think it was called, and the color , and macros were wonderful[/quote]

It seems that bridge cameras become larger and heavier when packed with a lot of features and zoom length. I use a smaller and simpler camera (Nikon P7800) when I want to go light. Yes small sensor, but shoots RAW. To me size and weight are important when leaving the DSLRs behind.

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

Get one with a 1" sensor and the output is really good. I have a FF, crop sensor and 1" cameras. I have taken the same shot of a scene with each and compared, there is a difference but I can print a 9x13 print and they look great and unless you pixel peek you wouldn't know.

Canisdirus

Jeannie88 wrote:

Yesterday, saw someone with a Nikon Bridge camera. As I am getting older, that seems like a good way to go, especially if I travel. Any one using a Nikon Bridge camera, or an olympus(if there is one)? I have used DSLRS for years and wonder if I would really like a one does it all camera?Right Now I am an Olympus User, although I was a nikon User for many years. What about Sony? Many years ago , I did have a Sony 828, I think it was called, and the color , and macros were wonderful

Depends on what you are looking to gain by switching.
Is it weight? If so...forget the Sony RX10 IV. Look elsewhere.
Is it best performance bridge camera? Now you get the Sony.

I don't own a bridge camera, but the attractiveness for me would be the simplicity...one body...all the lenses in one hand. Not so much about size or weight...just simplifying it all.

If that is the case...get the Sony.

photoman43

Nikon makes a lot of "bridge" cameras. Weight, size and price depend on sensor size, focal length range etc. The smaller the sensor, the lighter, unless the lens is really long. For birding, most use the Nikon Coolpix 900, 950 or 1000 which all have small sensors and "long" zooms. The 950 and 1000 take RAW and Jpeg.

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV Digital Camera has a one inch sensor and its lens is 24-600mm (35mm equivalent).

daledo Loc: Billings, MT

Jeannie88 wrote:

Yesterday, saw someone with a Nikon Bridge camera. As I am getting older, that seems like a good way to go, especially if I travel. Any one using a Nikon Bridge camera, or an olympus(if there is one)? I have used DSLRS for years and wonder if I would really like a one does it all camera?Right Now I am an Olympus User, although I was a nikon User for many years. What about Sony? Many years ago , I did have a Sony 828, I think it was called, and the color , and macros were wonderful

Got a nikon b700 a number of years ago and was quite pleased with it. Got it for a trip to England. Advantages to it at the time were it captures raw images, has significant zoom, size was manageable and cost was ok.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

If I were to get a bridge camera, having owned a couple in the past, I would take a serious look at the Sony RX-10 IV. You won’t find anyone who owns one that will give it low marks. I’ve only seen rave reviews. As for size, it’s slightly smaller than a DSLR, but is lighter, and, obviously, more convenient. It has all the controls of a DSLR or MILC, and none of the aggrevation of having to lug around several lenses. As for making prints, I’d say the 1” type sensor will produce very good prints up to at least 16x20. Sensor and processor technology has really advanced and the 1” type sensor is greatly underrated, in my opinion. No, it’s not like a full frame 35mm sensor but it does a great job, so unless one wants to produce large poster-sized prints, this would be a great choice. I have the Sony RX100VII which is the pocket sized version of the RX10IV, but with a tiny body and shorter lens, and I can’t fault it at all. It has become my go-to camera. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it a bridge camera, though.

jcolton

I have been shooting Sony full frame and needed a fairly heavy backpack for all my gear. I just switched to a Fujifilm XT-5, a much smaller camera with APSC sensor and interchangeable lenses. I don’t care what you call this camera but I love it! So many advanced features—automatic focus stacking, pixel shifting,etc. Great quality photos and all fits on a small bag.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

robertjerl wrote:

The most common definition of a "bridge camer... (show quote)

"The most common definition of a "bridge camera" I have seen is one that is a bridge between a single fixed lenses (short zoom or single length) with simplified controls and cameras with advanced controls and interchangable lenses."

When this subject comes up, the common "best" suggestion is the Sony RX10 series. (My wife has the RX10 IV). The common complaint is that it is still a little big and a little heavy.

Under the definition of "bridge" without superzoom is the Sony RX100 series. I have the RX100VII. It goes to 200 mm (equivalent) and has all the sophisticated controls. Tiny as it is, it still has a viewfinder.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

DaveyDitzer wrote:

It seems that bridge cameras become larger and heavier when packed with a lot of features and zoom length. I use a smaller and simpler camera (Nikon P7800) when I want to go light. Yes small sensor, but shoots RAW. To me size and weight are important when leaving the DSLRs behind.

Right! No one would ever call a bridge camera compact.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

bsprague wrote:

"The most common definition of a "bridge... (show quote)

I love my RX100VII. It’s a whole camera system that fits in a pocket, and without sacrificing features or controls. It has fantastic IQ, amazing focus and color management. While not a “bridge” camera in the classic sense, it does all the same things and has just a shorter lens, zooming out to just 200mm, 35mm eq.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

jerryc41 wrote:

Right! No one would ever call a bridge camera compact.

"Bridge" or "superzoom"?

"Bridge cameras are cameras that fill the niche between relatively simple point-and-shoot cameras and interchangeable-lens cameras."

By camera that bridges that gap is a Sony RX100. It has all the controls, has optical zoom to 200mm (equivalent field of view) and fits in most pockets.

genocolo Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island

Jeannie88 wrote:

Yesterday, saw someone with a Nikon Bridge camera. As I am getting older, that seems like a good way to go, especially if I travel. Any one using a Nikon Bridge camera, or an olympus(if there is one)? I have used DSLRS for years and wonder if I would really like a one does it all camera?Right Now I am an Olympus User, although I was a nikon User for many years. What about Sony? Many years ago , I did have a Sony 828, I think it was called, and the color , and macros were wonderful

My “bridge camera” is an IPhone ProMax. Other than for wildlife maybe, what else do I need?

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

Jeannie88 wrote:

Yesterday, saw someone with a Nikon Bridge camera. As I am getting older, that seems like a good way to go, especially if I travel. Any one using a Nikon Bridge camera, or an olympus(if there is one)? I have used DSLRS for years and wonder if I would really like a one does it all camera?Right Now I am an Olympus User, although I was a nikon User for many years. What about Sony? Many years ago , I did have a Sony 828, I think it was called, and the color , and macros were wonderful

I'm pretty sure you can use any camera to shoot a bridge. Oh, wait--

My vote is for Sony's RX10-iv. Even though it's getting long in tooth, it's still the best bridge out there. I keep thinking there'll be an update soon but no word yet.

And aren't we all grateful that the former darling of this blog, the Canon SX50 bridge camera, is no longer mentioned in every other post? I never understood the fascination with that mediocre thing.