Daughter Needs Advice (Page 2): While the P900 is definitely the king of reach, it is extremely big and heavy, more like a large DSLR than a point and shoot. Also, maddeningly, unlike...

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

While the P900 is definitely the king of reach, it is extremely big and heavy, more like a large DSLR than a point and shoot. Also, maddeningly, unlike the various Panasonics, it has no hot shoe. Why Nikon, why?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

EdJ0307 wrote:

Nikon P900. There have been quite a few photos taken with it posted here on UHH. Very long reach. One of the things I like about it is it has an eye level viewfinder. Most point and shoots don't that I have seen.

A lot of people swear by (not at) the Canon SX50 and SX60. The SX50 is no longer available but you can find them used here and on Ebay. Also eye level viewfinders.

You can probably tell I favor eye level viewfinders over the viewing screens.

I second the eye level finder concept.
Promotes a steadier hold as well as far more convenient in bright sun situations especially with the sun to the back.

achesley Loc: SW Louisiana

I picked up an XS50 refurb pretty cheap a few years back and love it. I , at times do quicky shots in direct sunlight so a view finder is a must. I have a Nikon Coolpix and my cell phone which are both near total useless in direct sunlight.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

letmedance wrote:

I just love the FZ 70 and use t more often than my other DSLRS.

Yes, well, John ... the FZ-70 is NOT a DSLR ... you cannot change lenses - it has a fixed lens - which makes it a Bridge camera. However, the FZ-70 is fairly large for a bridge, and might even be larger than SOME DSLRs. It also has a host of pretty nice features, that DSLR manufacturers WISH they could match!!!!

But, when all is said and done - the images you create with a micro-sensor as small as the one contained in the FZ-70 - look terrific when they first come up on the screen - but as soon as you enlarge a small portion - you will immediately see what you're dealing with. Overall, the DSLR IS the better route ....

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

achesley wrote:

I picked up an XS50 refurb pretty cheap a few years back and love it. I , at times do quicky shots in direct sunlight so a view finder is a must. I have a Nikon Coolpix and my cell phone which are both near total useless in direct sunlight.

The Canon Powershot SX-50 HS ... is a pretty nice bridge cam, A .... I have the previous model - the SX 40 HS. I love the infinite macro feature they have.

The follow-up to yours - the Canon Powershot SX 60 HS - is a nice one, too. The range is improved - from 21 to 1365 !!! ... Plus - they went from 12MP to 16MP!

There'll be a new version out, soon ... I wonder what Canon has in store for us - next ....

hj Loc: Florida

AND, from what I've read multiple timers "The King of Shake & Blur" due to it's excessive reach and weight. I just edited this post when I discovered others beat me to the punch in this observation.

jerryc41 wrote:

I think the Nikon P900 is the king of reach.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

jerryc41 wrote:

I think the Nikon P900 is the king of reach.

Yes but is bigger than some DSLR cameras.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

finalimage wrote:

My adult daughter wants a new camera and has $1000 to spend. Wants a point and shoot with some reach, she is tired of changing lenses on the Canon camera she has and does not use it. Wants to photograph birds but not birds in flight. I know there are Canon cameras with 50X lenses but are there other brands with similar reach? Many thanks!

The Panasonic FZ-80. This is the successor to the FZ-70, and is a better Bridge Camera. If you have $1000, you'll have some change left over to buy an extra battery and SD card. And still have some money leftover. This camera shoots RAW, and has a viewfinder. Something you always should have in a quality camera. The Panasonic FZ-70 is no longer in production, but still available as a used camera.

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

finalimage wrote:

My adult daughter wants a new camera and has $1000 to spend. Wants a point and shoot with some reach, she is tired of changing lenses on the Canon camera she has and does not use it. Wants to photograph birds but not birds in flight. I know there are Canon cameras with 50X lenses but are there other brands with similar reach? Many thanks!

I only have great things to say about the Sony RX10M4. It is 70% over budget but it is as close to DSLR quality as a bridge can get. My other cameras are a D800/D810 and I am still satisfied with the image quality of the Sony.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Gene51 wrote:

I only have great things to say about the Sony RX10M4. It is 70% over budget but it is as close to DSLR quality as a bridge can get. My other cameras are a D800/D810 and I am still satisfied with the image quality of the Sony.

And so you should be, Gene ... that RX10 Mk. IV cost you near two grand!!!! ... for a 1" Bridge!!!!!

aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM

finalimage wrote:

... she is tired of changing lenses on the Canon camera she has and does not use it. Wants to photograph birds but not birds in flight...

If changing lenses is her only beef, why not spend the money instead on a wide-range zoom lens?

Orson Burleigh Loc: Annapolis, Maryland, USA

Bought a Panasonic DC-ZS70S for my wife last October. The camera has 30X zoom capability and provides good image quality for a small sensor. The price on Amazon of the Panasonic DC-ZS70S is about $95.00 less now than it was in October.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Lots of good fixed lens zooms out there. Be sure to gets decent tripod too.

56HotRod Loc: Littleton CO

jerryc41 wrote:

I think the Nikon P900 is the king of reach.

The P900 made my mouth water and seems very affordable.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

56HotRod wrote:

The P900 made my mouth water and seems very affordable.

Gone UP a hundred bucks, in the past year, Rod ... orig. MSRP was $595!!!

Just shows ya how many want it!