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Bridge Camera
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Oct 10, 2018 09:44:06   #
James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee
 
Another recommendation for the Sony RX10. To see some samples, click on the blue link below in my signature line.

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Oct 10, 2018 09:47:57   #
rcarol
 
I recently purchased the Panasonic Lumix FZ-1000 bridge camera for traveling and took it to Canada. It did not disappoint.

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Oct 10, 2018 10:09:32   #
tomad Loc: North Carolina
 
Go with the Sony RX10 IV, best bridge camera out there.

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Oct 10, 2018 10:15:58   #
Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL
 
James56 wrote:
Another recommendation for the Sony RX10. To see some samples, click on the blue link below in my signature line.


Those are some great photos!

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Oct 10, 2018 10:25:24   #
olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
 
Before you buy: Is it the weight, or is it the ergonomics of the camera body, exercise issues? My story;

I have many Bridge and DSLR cameras and over time I noticed that for me, problems with steadiness and focal length appeared to have more to do with the size and shape of the camera body. On the smaller bridge and smaller DSLR bodies, my fingers and hand will cramp (especially during longer shooting sessions). Yes the camera may be smaller in physical size, and may weigh less, but since it is smaller and maybe the ergonomics aren't exactly spaced right for my hand shape & size, long sessions can require interruption to rest and exercise my hand and fingers. And, smaller seems to be the wrong answer for me - YMMV - we all have different issues, but these are things to consider.

I have the grip and the strength still (only 67 at this juncture), but the positioning and having to hold same position for long periods starts to kick in and becomes uncomfortable. DSRL example: D3200 versus my older D90, holding and shooting with the 3200 (esp. with a longer/heavier lens) puts more "strain" on my hand and fingers than the D90 with same lens. After looking at my problem for some time I determined it has a lot more to do with position and tight confines. The D90 is larger and heavier, but the ergonomics fit my hand nearly perfectly, I don't have to grip it as tight, and when working with the longer/heavier lens, it is just more comfortable. When I go for my next body, it won't be smaller, it will be at least as big as the D90, and with same "ergo". If it is as big, and lighter, all the better. I prefer larger Bridge cameras for the same reason, I shoot steadier with them.

It is kind of like having a shoe that is a bit to narrow, or has the wrong pronation for the shape of my arch and angle that my foot takes during normal stride. A top-o-the-line athletic shoe might feel fine for a little while, but then those ergonomic factors start to come into play, result - discomfort. If I have same shoe that is wider, and has the proper pronation for my higher arch and stride style, big difference, especially as the day, or the walk drags on.

I also noticed that lighter can be just as difficult to steady as something a little heavier, it has more to do with shape and size for me. If you have arm or hand weakness that is not a neurological disorder, or severe arthritis (RA) perhaps some arm and hand exercises would also help.... I like the old spring style grip squeezers for working my hands, and lifting even a small hand barbell, even 2-3 lbs. will help arm strength.

Prior to another purchase, my suggestion would be to handle as many small/medium/larger cameras as you can, and see if the ergonomic factor affects you. It has made a huge difference in cameras of any type that I would even consider buying, and it wasn't the outcome I originally thought I would see - I thought smaller lighter was required, turns out in my case there is more to the story. Even if I were to go mirrorless, it would have to be larger, not smaller than most of what I see now.

Hopefully this will give food for thought.
Good luck in your quest.
mike

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Oct 10, 2018 10:47:58   #
Low Budget Dave
 
All cameras are compromises. You pick out the weight, quality, durability, and price that you want. To get better in any dimension, you have to give up somewhere else. Picture quality has improved for every camera in the last few years, and durability has improved for most models. Weight has pretty much reached a stopping point: Even for double the price, you can't cut the weight much more.

Personally, my favorite compromise is a small APSC camera like the Sony A6000 or A6500. You can put a very small lens on it and take pretty good pics all day, or you can put a massive hunk of glass on it and rest it on a tripod. The picture quality isn't much better than a bridge camera, but it isn't much worse than a full-frame. And any lenses that you don't plan to use that day, you can leave at home.

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Oct 10, 2018 10:59:12   #
Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.
 
If your looking for weight and size reduction, don't look at the Nikon P1000. Those cameras are as big and heavy as a DSLR. A good choice for a bridge camera is Sony RX series. Your right though, mirrorless cameras are smaller and lighter but when you attach a good size lens, they become big in a hurry and you have to change lens from time to time, which to me is becoming a hassle. I find myself using my advanced point & shoot more often.

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Oct 10, 2018 11:03:58   #
bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY
 
drdcs0025 wrote:
We are all getting older whether we like it or not. I find that my hands don't work as well as they used to and I am not using my DSLR. I need to decrease weight and decrease the need to make lens changes. I have looked at the mirrorless options and they either don't fit in my hand or when paired with a zoom lens with my most often used focal lengths, they are to heavy. I am thinking about going to a bridge camera. Although it is a move backwards in flexibility, sensor size and available megapixels, it is much better than a phone camera which is what I find myself using now. I am considering the Nikon P1000, the Canon SX70 and the Sony RX10 IV. I would appreciate your advise and any other options that I should consider. Money is not a consideration; being able to enjoy photography again is.

Thanks
We are all getting older whether we like it or not... (show quote)


What brand of DSLR are you using, the same brand of bridge might that might make it easier to transition, Bob.

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Oct 10, 2018 11:07:00   #
K7DJJ Loc: Spring Hill, FL
 
Sony RX10-IV
I came down with myasthenia gravis last year, and had trouble getting clear photos with my Canon 7D and L lenses. I bought the Sony RX10 and have not got a bad photo with it. The stabilization rated at 4½ stops improvement helps a lot.

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Oct 10, 2018 11:14:01   #
sandiegokim1
 
I saved up for the Sony RX 10 IV, and its all I hoped it would be. Took some amazing pics from within helicopter on a cloudy day, of the Kauai Na Pali coastline and Waimea Canyon. The Zeiss lens IS the real deal. Image stabilization is excellent. Will take practice to learn the menu system, but I am excited to do so.

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Oct 10, 2018 11:34:26   #
Rashid Abdu Loc: Ohio
 
The Sony Rx10 1V, is an amazing camera, but if you decide to get it, I highly recommend that you buy Gary Friedman's guide book. You will need it! Good luck.
Rashid

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Oct 10, 2018 11:42:05   #
joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois
 
drdcs0025 wrote:
We are all getting older whether we like it or not. I find that my hands don't work as well as they used to and I am not using my DSLR. I need to decrease weight and decrease the need to make lens changes. I have looked at the mirrorless options and they either don't fit in my hand or when paired with a zoom lens with my most often used focal lengths, they are to heavy. I am thinking about going to a bridge camera. Although it is a move backwards in flexibility, sensor size and available megapixels, it is much better than a phone camera which is what I find myself using now. I am considering the Nikon P1000, the Canon SX70 and the Sony RX10 IV. I would appreciate your advise and any other options that I should consider. Money is not a consideration; being able to enjoy photography again is.

Thanks
We are all getting older whether we like it or not... (show quote)


The P1000 is the heaviest and has the greatest zoom range. The Sony RX10 IV is the most expensive and has the best image quality, The Canon is the least expensive and best compromise of the three.

Cost not a consideration the Sony has the largest sensor (1") compared to the others. That would be my choice.

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Oct 10, 2018 11:44:13   #
joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois
 
Rashid Abdu wrote:
if you decide to get it, I highly recommend that you buy Gary Friedman's guide book.
Rashid


Agreed.

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Oct 10, 2018 11:56:35   #
stevefrankel
 
I cover this in my book, "Choosing Great Cameras for Cruises & Tours." (Frankel, Amazon, 2017). I think the best is the Sony RX100-M6 that moves into bridge country with its 24-200mm lens and its 1" sensor ($1100). Yet it fits in your pocket. My second choice is the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 ($400), with its f2.8 24-600mm lens. I shot the earlier model, the FZ200 all over the world and its weatherproof body proved invaluable in Patagonia.. The other choice has been discontinued but is still available, new and used, if you search hard enough. It's the Olympus Stylus 1s (about $600, 14 ounces, f2.8 28-300mm lens with great handling and reliability. I wrote a book about this camera that's still available on Amazon, "The Compleat Olympus 1s" (Frankel, Amazon, 2017. I've shot book and magazine covers with all of these cameras. I also review these cameras in my blog, www.CruisesAndCameras-Blog.com.

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Oct 10, 2018 12:00:05   #
speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho
 
drdcs0025 wrote:
We are all getting older whether we like it or not. I find that my hands don't work as well as they used to and I am not using my DSLR. I need to decrease weight and decrease the need to make lens changes. I have looked at the mirrorless options and they either don't fit in my hand or when paired with a zoom lens with my most often used focal lengths, they are to heavy. I am thinking about going to a bridge camera. Although it is a move backwards in flexibility, sensor size and available megapixels, it is much better than a phone camera which is what I find myself using now. I am considering the Nikon P1000, the Canon SX70 and the Sony RX10 IV. I would appreciate your advise and any other options that I should consider. Money is not a consideration; being able to enjoy photography again is.

Thanks
We are all getting older whether we like it or not... (show quote)
There's a good chance, that the P1000 is quite a bit heavier, than your current DSLR, its over three pounds!

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