Bridge camera
Dec 21, 2017 09:15:19 #
P&S cameras with long zoom ranges have very slow lenses. This means slower shutter speeds. Birds rarely pose long enough to avoid blurred images when using these cameras. If you really want P&S read the reviews to get one that loses the least at high ISO settings.
Dec 21, 2017 09:17:49 #
You might even look at the Lumix ZS50, the 60's predecessor. It is well under $300 at this time. She will love it!
Dec 21, 2017 11:18:12 #
I just bought a Lumix ZS60 from Costco for $279.00. It's small, compact, and zooms out to 720mm, and with the intelligent zoom feature, it doubles the zoom to 1440 with little to no loss of image quality. While the lens certainly isn't the fastest out there, it's not bad at f/3.3-6.4, it's no bad, considering a lot of DSLR lenses aren't much faster at full zoom. I recently used it at an event and was pleased at the low light results.
For casual use and as a backup camera, the ZS60 is a good one. It's affordable, compact, as in it fits in a large pocket or a purse, and takes good images, so long as you accept and work within it's working parameters. Don't expect results like a high end DSLR, but it's not a slug, either. If a flip out or articulating rear screen is important, consider the ZS70, but you will pay at least $100.00 more, or even a bit more.
For casual use and as a backup camera, the ZS60 is a good one. It's affordable, compact, as in it fits in a large pocket or a purse, and takes good images, so long as you accept and work within it's working parameters. Don't expect results like a high end DSLR, but it's not a slug, either. If a flip out or articulating rear screen is important, consider the ZS70, but you will pay at least $100.00 more, or even a bit more.
Dec 21, 2017 11:19:38 #
Technique matters a lot more than the f stop. Superzoom bridge cameras (equivalent focal length above 1000mm) might be one half stop slower than most kit lenses (eg. f6.5 vs. f5.6) at the long end for a superzoom bridge camera vs. a nikkor 55-300mm lens. If you shoot birds you might get one good shot out of a dozen, because the bird has chosen to be still for about a second while you took the shot. You are generally shooting at about 1/500 second. The critical factor is your reaction time. If you look on flickr in various bridge camera groups you will see lots of bird pics. If you are shooting small birds at a distance the most critical factor is the focal length. The greater the focal length, the more details you can capture. Bear in mind we are talking about cameras costing a few hundred dollars. You won't compete with a top of the line dslr and 15 lb. lens sitting on a tripod that costs more than your bridge camera.
RolandDieter wrote:
P&S cameras with long zoom ranges have very slow lenses. This means slower shutter speeds. Birds rarely pose long enough to avoid blurred images when using these cameras. If you really want P&S read the reviews to get one that loses the least at high ISO settings.
Dec 21, 2017 11:40:43 #
I have an sx50 and really like it. the 530, if i am not mistaken, does not have a viewfinder, which makes it difficult to view your subject. You might check online for refurbs. The sx60 is the later model--not much difference, and more expensive.
Dec 21, 2017 11:47:47 #
Nikon P500 or P510... both good solid bridges, costing now from $125 to $300 from companies like KEH; or you can check the manufacturers' refurb sites. If you have some extra money, you can get a Nikon P900 for around $600. My personal favorite is the good 'ole Canon SX50, slightly larger than the 500 series Nikons, but superior in just about every way. Bear in mind, these are personal opinions. Good luck, and best regards to the Mrs., Mercer.
Dec 21, 2017 12:50:52 #
I have a Fujifilm Finepix S1. I bought it about 2 years ago for a trip to Alaska. I was looking for the long zoom without the extra weight. I considered Canon and Nikon, but bought the Fujifilm for its water resistance, knowing there is a lot of rain in Alaska and we were going on one raft trip. I love its 50x zoom and was able to capture a grizzly as if it were in my back yard. I also have a Nikon coolpix with a 10x lense as my backup camera and like it really well. At that time, all the bridge cameras were about $500. I still find the camera to be a little heavy around the neck after carrying it for an extended period of time. That has been corrected with a halter instead of a neck strap. I also like the versatility of a view finder as well as a flip out screen. Without the viewfinder it is almost impossible to get a good picture in bright sunlight.
Dec 21, 2017 13:52:29 #
paul j svetlik
Loc: Colorado
For the sake of convenience, it is good to be realistic and not to get excited with some market claims about 40x zooms etc.
A very convenient camera you or she can carry in the pocket should have an electronic viewfinder (EVF) RAW filing system and a zoom - let us say from 24 mm to
700 mm. These cameras usually have retractable lenses so you don't need to handle a lenscap.
This should be your lead when you start looking. Cameras with longer zooms are very hard to hold anyway - unless you or she carries a tripod.
Have a good luck shopping!
A very convenient camera you or she can carry in the pocket should have an electronic viewfinder (EVF) RAW filing system and a zoom - let us say from 24 mm to
700 mm. These cameras usually have retractable lenses so you don't need to handle a lenscap.
This should be your lead when you start looking. Cameras with longer zooms are very hard to hold anyway - unless you or she carries a tripod.
Have a good luck shopping!
Dec 21, 2017 15:53:59 #
sirlensalot
Loc: Arizona
For your budget, would consider the Canon Sx 720 HS. I researched one for a niece for the $300 budget her parents had. 40x zoom and came in a kit with extras for about $20 under budget. It has since been replaced by a newer version at a much higher cost. Niece will receive it as a Xmas gift so no shots to show yet.
Dec 21, 2017 18:08:18 #
izzT5obi wrote:
Looking for inexpensive easy to use bridge camera for my wife, just for travel and bird shots she wants it for fun not for serious photography looking along the lines of canonsx 530 or lumix zs60, can find both for under $300.Appreciate any suggestions. She is using her smart phone now and I am use to Rebel t5. Thank you.
I have the SX50HS, a friend has the SX530. She laments the fact that the LCD display is very hard to see in bright daylight, she would have loved a viewfinder, which the SX50 & 60 (the. current model) both have.
The least expensive I have found is the Sony DSC-H400 which seems comparable to the 530, but I haven't used it.
Dec 21, 2017 19:13:30 #
izzT5obi wrote:
Looking for inexpensive easy to use bridge camera for my wife, just for travel and bird shots she wants it for fun not for serious photography looking along the lines of canonsx 530 or lumix zs60, can find both for under $300.Appreciate any suggestions. She is using her smart phone now and I am use to Rebel t5. Thank you.
Just sent you a PM.
Dec 21, 2017 19:16:35 #
No one has mentioned the Sony line. HX400 with the Zeiss lens beats my Canon SX50. There are other ones much smaller in the Sony line with excellent Zeiss lenses. You may with to compare them too.
Dec 22, 2017 11:00:37 #
PHRubin wrote:
...
The least expensive I have found is the Sony DSC-H400 which seems comparable to the 530, but I haven't used it.
The least expensive I have found is the Sony DSC-H400 which seems comparable to the 530, but I haven't used it.
I should have said the Sony DSC-400 is the least expensive megazoom WITH A VIEWFINDER!
Dec 22, 2017 11:45:56 #
Dec 22, 2017 11:47:55 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.