Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Excellent Choice, won't be disappointed...

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Poster appears to be looking for a non-interchangeable lens bridge or point-n-shoot with a super zoom... not a tele-zoom for their DSLR.

However...

Yes the 3rd party zooms are a little bit smaller (retracted into their storage position), but it's incorrect that the Tamron is significantly lighter weight....

Canon 400mm f/5.6L USM.... 2.75 lb. (includes tripod ring)
Canon 100-400mm "II" IS USM.... 3.5 lb. (incl. tripod ring)
Canon 100-400mm IS USM (orig. push/pull version)... 3.04 lb.
Tamron 100-400mm VC USD... 2.45 lb. (lens alone)... A035TM Tripod Ring... approx. .5 lb (estimated). Total wt.... 2.95 lb.
Sigma 100-400mm OS HSM... 2.75 lb. (no tripod ring provided , available or even possible)

So, any of these zoom options are the same weight or heavier than the Canon 400mm f/5.6L prime, assuming you want a tripod ring. At best you can save about 8 ounces over the Canon 100-400mm II.
The weight is the difference between metal (the Canon lenses, mostly) and plastic (the Sigma and Tamron)...
Or perhaps the difference between what Lensrentals.com called "the best-built zoom they'd ever seen" (the Canon 100-400 II) versus a more standard build...
Or between the Canon that's f4.5 to 135mm, f/5 to a little over 300mm and f/5.6 beyond that...
Versus a zoom that is f/5 only at it's very shortest focal length and drops to f/5.6 until 230mm, then is f/6.3 beyond that (the Sigma)...
Versus a zoom that's f/4.5 up to 135mm, f/5 to 180mm, f/5.6 to 280 and f/6.3 beyond that (the Tamron).

Of course, none of this is what the original poster is wanting.

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

Ron - the Panasonic Lumix FZ-80 has a hot shoe, so it doesn't really need remote cords. Plus, it's a pretty robust camera, has 20-1200 zoom & a touch-screen.

The Sony HX400V has a zoom range from 24 to 1200, doesn't have a touch-screen, and is about $200 more than the FZ-80 ....

If range is your prime concern, the Sony H400 runs out past 1500mm ... and is even less to buy than the FZ-80. But Sony Cybershot micro-Bridge cams don't have any hot shoes.

Spirit Hawk Loc: Michigan,Sunrise side

The V model of the Sony HX400v has a hot shoe,
Cheers Ron

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

Well, thereyago, then, Ron ...

Much lighter than either the Lumix FZ-70 or FZ-80, too ....

My FZ-70's bigger and heavier, than a couple of my DSLRs, in fact ....

My HX100V is real nice and light, in comparison ....

gordonstinson

New to this just today and love having found my hot topic. Been reviewing under the gun with kids events coming up in a few days. Reviews I just read on TechRadar have a showdown with Panasonic FZ80 and the SonyHX400v. We had the Sony HX300 for 4 years and recently lost it (had a long time E60 or E62 error message). WE LOVED IT! However, the "shutter lag" still made me grit my teeth. We got young kids (aka low budget) and in that split second we lost countless priceless expressions, damit. We want that built in 50x-60x zoom, the missus has not tolerance for techy stuff and switching lenses to match the low budget--so DSLR is out of contention. We want it faster for those quick expressions, and faster with long zoom for the kids at play--indoors and out.

ZX80 is faster but suffers from IQ loss at higher ISO, Panny is slower but better IQ. I thought the Canon SX60 was a great contender until I read a scathing review from a semipro on B&H Photos. I 'm gonna hold up a cigarette lighter for extra lite and go for the ZX80.

Spirit Hawk Loc: Michigan,Sunrise side

UP-date,,got my Sony HX400V and i really like it?? will post pics after i get used to it.
Cheers Ron

gwilliams6

sounds good, a smart choice, enjoy

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

When cameras like this were first introduced they were known as "Super Zooms", but that term seems too be reserved for lenses now, and what you want is commonly referred to as a "bridge camera".

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Hey, Spirit, did you take a look at the Nikon B700??

Also if you are used to lugging around your 7D and 400mm, what would be the problem with lugging around the P900?? Has your health changed??

Spirit Hawk Loc: Michigan,Sunrise side

NO,,just getting older !? best deal $$ wise was on the Sony?? So far i like it??NOT going to replace the 7D and big lens,,but pics i took with the Sony this am was real good,,just need some more time with it??Cheers Ron

Acat1234

The dsc hx400v cameras have a history of image stabilzation issues with error code E62.10 showing up. Repair cost around $200 plus an associated board for $100. I know - just scrapped one.

JPL

For birding, the P900 is the only Super zoom I could recommend.

gwilliams6

I have two friends that have had the Sony 400v for awhile and have ABSOLUTELY NO ISSUES whatsoever with loads of use. Sorry you had this problem. It has NOT been widespread, sorry. Sony makes excellent, reliable cameras in all their price ranges. The OP will be fine. Cheers

Spirit Hawk Loc: Michigan,Sunrise side

S**T happens ??i had a new car blow a motor at 4,400 miles,,i think this Sony will do its job??
Cheers Ron