Spirit Hawk Loc: Michigan,Sunrise side

Do we give up the heavy gear ??and go with a bridge camera ,,all in one like the Canon SX60 ??
In my case i like Birding & Wildlife photos,,,Canon 50D and 400mm L ??is what i use now.
I have asked similar ??s before but still can,t decide,,,,I had a SX50 it did a good job but at about 1 1/2 years i wore it out? or i had a bad camera,,with about 10,000 clicks it would NOT focus or meter right??
I am 75 and have health problems,,,,some one give me your thoughts and what you did !!??
Thanks Ron

djtravels Loc: Georgia boy now

I think your love for life, tempered by external feelings, (health for one) will help you make that decision. At 82 I'd like to acquire a 150-600mm lens for some birding/wildlife shooting, but I don't think I will. I bought a surf fishing rig instead. Go figure. djt

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Unless I'm traveling, I shoot with my DSLRs. I bring a compact with me on trips, depending on the trip. I prefer the big cameras. They're real "chick magnets."

ELNikkor

The Nikon P900 has an awesome zoom range, something like the equivalent of 24-2000mm, and goes for around $600. Check it out and read customer reviews.

AFPhoto Loc: Jamestown, RI, USA

I use the big rigs for every day shooting. Canon 5DIII, 50D and 70-200mmL IS F2.8 but when I travel I have a micro 4/3 Olympus system that is much lighter and easier to travel with. Ive come to believe in the adage that the best camera is the one that you have available.

MtnMan Loc: ID

But a tiny sensor and does not shoot RAW. Tiny sensor means poor high ISO performance.

The new DL24-500 has one inch sensor and shoots RAW.

But I recently got a Lumix GM5 which has a Micro 4/3 sensor, shoots RAW, and interchangable lens. There are a number of Panasonic Micro 4/3 choices. I only consider ones with viewfinders.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I'm 66 and still lug around a pair of D800s, 600mm F4 and a 150-600 Sigma Sport (for flying birds or when I am feeling lazy) - and other "stuff" when I go birding and shooting wildlife. I tried using a friend's superzoom P900, but was only really able to get slow moving and stationary birds. The image quality was not there, nor was the handling.

SteveTog Loc: Philly

A lot of people seem to think you have to go mirrorless to get a quality compact camera system, but you can go compact, light weight, high quality and less expensive with a DX (APS-C) system, too.

My typical travel kit is a Nikon D5500 with Tokina 11-16, Nikkor 18-55, Nikkor 55-200. If I'm feeling lazy I'll just take along a 18-200 and leave the others. If my back is hurting, I'll just take the 18-55. The D5500 body is actually lighter than either the OLYMPUS OMD E-M1 II and the Fuji XT-2, both of which are excellent, excellent cameras.
The Nikkor lenses are very light. The Tokina is heavier than the Nikkors, but still pretty light - especially for the f/2.8 aperture. If you add a fast 35mm 1.8dx or a 50mm 1.8 prime, you've even got low light and street covered. Most of the mirrorless lenses are heavier and more expensive than the DX equivalent from Nikon.

The IQ and effective low light ISO with the D5500 might be a bit less than the mirrorless bodies, but there is always a trade off. All three options are excellent solutions. You can find an equivalent system with Canon, too, but I'm not familiar with their line.

Hope this helps.

BebuLamar

Please get rid of your heavy gear. That's about the only way I may be able to afford them.

SteveTog Loc: Philly

Another benefit of shooting FX Wildlife is that you can drop the cost of a health club because you get all your cardio and weightlifting done in the field.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I had an SX50 shutter crash right after my sister-in law brought the same camera after seeing mine. Hers did the same. So I won't buy another. In my limited experience, they are poorly made. FWIW, Both of us babied those cameras.

When I retire my DSLRs, I'll seriously look at an Olympus OMD or the Fuji XT-series. The former is a 4/3 sensor and the latter is cropped ASPC. Both shoot raw & allow lens swapping. Both are capable of stellar results and are well-designed.

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

There comes a point in time for many people when we are not as strong or healthy as we once were. Carrying the heavy gear is simply not an option. I found myself in that situation. I loved my sx50, but had 2 that failed shortly after one year. Then bought a Sony a6000. It was light and did well for landscapes, but never felt right and was not great for wildlife plus it has a limited number of long lenses.

The Nikon P610 and P900 are good bridge cameras, but not so good for moving subjects.

I bought the Nikon D5500 that an earlier poster recommended. This has worked very well for me so far. It is very light, good feel and grip and good IQ. There are also many lightweight lens options. It is one you might want to consider.

Spirit Hawk Loc: Michigan,Sunrise side

Thanks a bunch for your thoughts !? well i am going to try and lug my heavy gear for a while longer ??as i like the pics i get from it,,I also have a Canon SL1 and several STM lenes,that i find myself useing more often,,because of size and weight, and don,t see much difference in IQ the SL1 and 55-250 STM does a good job if i can get close enough ?? any one else got ideads ?? Ron

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

It's not a bridge camera, but I have used a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless Olympus OM-D EM-1 camera with a 75-300mm (150-600mm equivalent) lens. It is small and light, the pictures were sharp and clear and it will shoot in RAW. My objections to it were the EVF, slow autofocus, and shutter lag. The newer version (MkII) supposedly has corrected those problems. Since I have not used the new version I can not give it a recommendation, but it might be worth your while to look in to the new version.
Good luck in your hunt.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Jerry, could you snap a pic of some of the Chicks that your magnet brings in.
I get some now, but maybe only a few a month.
How much bigger do you suggest I go...., I'm using a Canon 1Dx with 500mm prime now and am thinking of going to a bigger magnet.
What do you suggest?!?!
SS