Just looking for a decent zoom bridge camera. My main use will be for nature and wildlife photography. Don't think I really need a 60x. How much zoom do I need for birds. I'm leaning towards the B700 for its EVF that switches over automatically and read the SX60 EVF was poor. Is wi-fi a critical need. Are there older models suitable for a novice or would I be better off with a p+s with a zoom. I was into it when I was young, now I'm retired and want to rekindle my old hobby and take quality pics.
The Canon sx50 is better than the sx60 and used or refurbished ones are easy to come by at a good price
I have the 60, never had a 50 so I cannot make that comparison, and I am generally very satisfied with the camera. I would prefer the Viewfinder work like the one on my P900 does, and come to life automatically when I raise it to my eye, but it doesn't. There are trade-offs with any camera choices that you will look at. Have fun making your decision.
P.S. while shoot birds, you may be surprised how much zoom you wish you had.
I second the suggestion of UHH member "drbilly" regarding the Canon SX50 - a fine camera that can quickly capture great images. Welcome, votzer, to the Hedgehog forum.
BHC
Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA
votzer wrote:
Just looking for a decent zoom bridge camera. My main use will be for nature and wildlife photography. Don't think I really need a 60x. How much zoom do I need for birds. I'm leaning towards the B700 for its EVF that switches over automatically and read the SX60 EVF was poor. Is wi-fi a critical need. Are there older models suitable for a novice or would I be better off with a p+s with a zoom. I was into it when I was young, now I'm retired and want to rekindle my old hobby and take quality pics.
Just looking for a decent zoom bridge camera. My m... (
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I know nothing about either camera, however,
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Welcome to the Zone.
The Canon SX50 is not exceptionally better than the SX60. If you want such a Bridge Camera, get the SX60. It is just fine. The SX50 is a camera no longer in production, sometimes difficult to find in both refurbished and used. If you can afford $1500, purchase the very best, a Sony RX10iii will serve you well. Or buy a Panasonic Lumix Bridge Camera. They have some very good ones too. Including the FZ1000.
Retina
Loc: Near Charleston,SC
votzer wrote:
Just looking for a decent zoom bridge camera. My main use will be for nature and wildlife photography. Don't think I really need a 60x. How much zoom do I need for birds. I'm leaning towards the B700 for its EVF that switches over automatically and read the SX60 EVF was poor. Is wi-fi a critical need. Are there older models suitable for a novice or would I be better off with a p+s with a zoom. I was into it when I was young, now I'm retired and want to rekindle my old hobby and take quality pics.
Just looking for a decent zoom bridge camera. My m... (
show quote)
Since you mentioned older models as an option, you might consider the Fujifilm. I use the X-S1 and my wife the HS30EXR. The manual zooms and close focus at longer focal lengths make up for their drawbacks being bridge cameras. Had I read more I would have bought her the HS50EXR, but we really like these for all-around shooting. I can share some bird and flower shots if you want to PM me.
https://www.cnet.com/products/fujifilm-finepix-hs50exr/review/
votzer wrote:
Just looking for a decent zoom bridge camera. My main use will be for nature and wildlife photography. Don't think I really need a 60x. How much zoom do I need for birds. I'm leaning towards the B700 for its EVF that switches over automatically and read the SX60 EVF was poor. Is wi-fi a critical need. Are there older models suitable for a novice or would I be better off with a p+s with a zoom. I was into it when I was young, now I'm retired and want to rekindle my old hobby and take quality pics.
Just looking for a decent zoom bridge camera. My m... (
show quote)
Don't know about the B700 but the Sx60 is slow. Very slow.
If you don't need a lot of zoom range, the Panasonic FZ1000 is a good choice. Or you can step up to the FZ2500. If the absolute best bridge camera with a 600mm zoom range is what you want, the Sony RX10iii is the way to go. But it's very expensive. You want to shoot birds and wildlife. Then you'll never have enough zoom and will always wish you had more. In that case, the Nikon P900 with its 2000mm zoom is a no brainer. Just be aware that it doesn't have RAW capability--JPEG only. If image quality is paramount and you think you might want to print some of your images to large size, then you might want to sacrifice extreme telephoto for the larger 1" sensor in the FZ1000, FZ2500 and the RX10iii.
Wingpilot wrote:
If you don't need a lot of zoom range, the Panasonic FZ1000 is a good choice. Or you can step up to the FZ2500. If the absolute best bridge camera with a 600mm zoom range is what you want, the Sony RX10iii is the way to go. But it's very expensive. You want to shoot birds and wildlife. Then you'll never have enough zoom and will always wish you had more. In that case, the Nikon P900 with its 2000mm zoom is a no brainer. Just be aware that it doesn't have RAW capability--JPEG only. If image quality is paramount and you think you might want to print some of your images to large size, then you might want to sacrifice extreme telephoto for the larger 1" sensor in the FZ1000, FZ2500 and the RX10iii.
If you don't need a lot of zoom range, the Panason... (
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I did a separate post of shots taken with the Nikon B700, the little brother/sister to the Nikon P900 if you want a similar camera with RAW but a little less zoom and more pixels, take a look. My sense is that 400 is a bit short for wildlife, particularly birds. 600 is a bit better, but you will find times that you would like the equivalent of 900mm or more.
votzer wrote:
Just looking for a decent zoom bridge camera. My main use will be for nature and wildlife photography. Don't think I really need a 60x. How much zoom do I need for birds. I'm leaning towards the B700 for its EVF that switches over automatically and read the SX60 EVF was poor. Is wi-fi a critical need. Are there older models suitable for a novice or would I be better off with a p+s with a zoom. I was into it when I was young, now I'm retired and want to rekindle my old hobby and take quality pics.
Just looking for a decent zoom bridge camera. My m... (
show quote)
I own the B700, I like it for its ability to shoot in Raw and its optical zoom. It's easy to learn all the dials and controls, you won't be disappointed.
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