Bridge Camera Decision Angst: Hello - I am new to this forum and have found it incredibly useful in researching a camera I hope to purchase ASAP. We are going to Africa in September...

joannemci Loc: Portland, Oregon

Hello - I am new to this forum and have found it incredibly useful in researching a camera I hope to purchase ASAP. We are going to Africa in September (2014) and I need a mega zoom bridge camera for wildlife shots. I have Sony DSC HX9V, love it, and am spoiled by relying on automatic settings. That will be my back-up camera for this trip. My question: should I stick with Sony for the bridge camera (the DSC HX200 or preferably the HX400) rather than changing brands (to a Canon SX50 most likely), as I am ready to finally learn how to operate a camera manually (I'm an old Canon SLR film gal but need to start my camera education all over again!). Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom out there!!

amehta Loc: Boston

joannemci wrote:

Hello - I am new to this forum and have found it i... (show quote)

I do not think there is a strong reason to stick to the same brand, it is better to get the camera which is right for your needs.

joannemci Loc: Portland, Oregon

Thanks for your quick reply! So, when using manual settings on P&S cameras, are they generally similar enough so that brand differences won't matter? It sounds like "operator understanding" is the key -- not the layout of the camera. I can't get my lessons in fast enough!

amehta Loc: Boston

joannemci wrote:

Thanks for your quick reply! So, when using manual settings on P&S cameras, are they generally similar enough so that brand differences won't matter? It sounds like "operator understanding" is the key -- not the layout of the camera. I can't get my lessons in fast enough!

Yes, the manual settings are about photography, not the camera: ISO, f-stop, and shutter speed. How they are set on a specific camera is just "details". It can cause trouble for a few minutes, but then it just works. :-)

dandij Loc: Hoodsport, Washington

joannemci wrote:

Hello - I am new to this forum and have found it i... (show quote)

Sony HX400 is my recomendation. I am still using my old sony HX1 bridge camera none better IMHO. :thumbup:

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

dandij wrote:

Sony HX400 is my recomendation. I am still using my old sony HX1 bridge camera none better IMHO. :thumbup:

for mega zoom, wildlife, sx50 hs seems to be ideal. No fuss, only great pictures.
Don't forget to post the pictures.

Doddy Loc: Barnard Castle-England

Yes..Canon sx50, It seems the most popular..and with good reason.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

I agree with most of the comments here with 1 exception. If it doesn't have a viewfinder, as opposed to using an LCD panel , stability suffers especially at longer focal lengths. My "normal" camera is a Sony A850. I just purchased a Sony DSC-H400 (it hasn't arrived yet) because it has a viewfinder & 63X optical zoom. The control layout & price made it very attractive.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I didn't care for the feel of the Nikon P510 belonging to a friend, never thought I'd be interested in a bridge camera - then people starting showing photos taken with the Canon SX50 :)

After 14 months of awesome opportunities, and some pretty nice photos considering the distance I usually shoot, it croaked on me! 50,000+ shots. I shipped to Canon yesterday; could be LCD or something called "imaging center."

I do think ease of access to settings and how the camera feels in your hand are important issues.

Victor S Loc: SouthCoast MA

I'm a Canon guy but went with a Panasonic FZ70 for a bridge camera. Love it so far. Shoots RAW and has equivalent 1200mm zoom. Feels like a nice solid camera at a decent price (under $300).

Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

Linda From Maine wrote:

I didn't care for the feel of the Nikon P510 belon... (show quote)

I am still waiting for the SX60 but now I have a question about the SX50. I have an sx40 and it does have a view finder. Great camera and I use the lcd screen a lot but for focusing the viewfinder is needed.
Does the SX 50 have a view finder or not?

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

Jackinthebox wrote:

I am still waiting for the SX60 but now I have a question about the SX50. I have an sx40 and it does have a view finder. Great camera and I use the lcd screen a lot but for focusing the viewfinder is needed.
Does the SX 50 have a view finder or not?

Yes it has a view finder, but it is a not what I would call very good one. Some distortion and get used to it. I per the view finder over the LCD. But on the SX50 it's a toss up which to use.

joannemci Loc: Portland, Oregon

Thanks, everyone, for all this terrific feedback! I plan to "test drive" the Canon SX50, the Sony HX400, and maybe the Panasonic FZ70 to see which feels most comfortable and make the BIG DECISION. Then the classes begin pronto! Do wish the SX60 would come out now, as the buzz on that camera would probably make it a no-brainer. I will mention that I bought the Nikon P600 a couple of weeks ago and was turned off by the delayed video focusing -- took 15 seconds and counting and by then I missed the "big event" -- my son receiving his college diploma!

rp2s Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

These are all very nice cameras, but I think the new Panasonic FZ1000 has them all beat at $899. Its official release date is July 27, 2014.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ1000-Digital-Camera/dp/B00KOUIBZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404244504&sr=8-1&keywords=panasonic+fz1000

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

joannemci wrote:

Thanks, everyone, for all this terrific feedback! ... (show quote)

I have both the SX40 & SX50. The '50' moved some controls so you may have to watch that a bit at first. It also greatly improved the shutter lag and shot-to-shot times, plus allows RAW saves and has built in provision for remote release.

I would just make sure that in addition to the viewfinder, you get one with a fully articulating LCD like the SX40/SX50 and a few others.