John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

As you have been into photography for quite a while you have developed habits relating to button locations. Are you right or left handed; right or left eyed. Not all camera layouts will suit what you are used to, so try out the potentials your first research suggests.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Austin is in west Texas. Earlier they said east Texas. Up toward Tulsa, Oklahoma way. Or down New Orleans way. Its a tough call.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Anything over in Waco.

theoldman

I own a Lumix fz1000, which is available in the price range you suggest and has a very good reputation. With a 1” chip and Leica lens it delivers a very good image for any photo setting I am likely to encounter, the EVF works for me, with or without my glasses on, and has a very usable zoom range from 25 to 400 equivalent.

I find the controls and menu quite intuitive. While I realize it is subjective, I am never frustrated with the controls when I need to change them while shooting (I’m 78, if that matters.)

I won’t try to review the camera here as there are many reviews elsewhere, but will try to answer questions from my experience if you ask. I recommend it for your consideration.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I own and recommend the Lumix FZ80. It's $300 and has more features than any other bridge camera I have seen. Has a good EVF viewfinder with a quick rotating diopter wheel next to the viewfinder so you can set it for your eyesight without using glasses in less than a second.
https://www.amazon.com/PANASONIC-Camera-Megapixels-20-1200mm-F2-8-5-9/dp/B01MS16V42

I also own the Coolpix B700, Nikon D7000, Nikon D200, Nikon D3100, Nikon 1 J1, Pentax Q10, Zeiss and Nikon SLR's and a Mamiya Medium format film camera.

jmss1950

Thank you. I will check this out.

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

NO Austin is in Central Texas!!!!!! I should know where it is cuz I'm only 45 mins or so South and west to the Austin city limits. The Op stated eastern Texas and that mate covers a lot of ground, in a recent post he gave a general location where he is located, and he is closer to Dallas than Austin, however Austin would make a great day trip........

Beenthere

You may want to try the mirrorless offerings from Olympus and Lumix (Panasonic) I have been getting used to the Olympus OM-D cams which are smaller than most SLRs and DSLRs. The Lumix series are similar and you can share lenses between either. Both manufacturers build high quality cams and lenses with the advantage of being compact, and the option of changing lenses (there are many of them to choose from too). You could easily carry one body and 2 to 3 extra lenses in the same space as one DSLR and one extra lens. They also make some exceptional wide range zooms covering a multitude of shooting situations. That could bring you down to one body and one good zoom lens to do almost anything you want when traveling. The EVF is the highest quality in the industry and extremely close to what you are used to with glass live view, plus you are seeing exactly what the sensor is seeing. As one other person suggested, you need to see and handle anything you decide on for yourself. Good luck and happy trails.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I have and love the larger Canon SX50 HS. (Now SX60HS (60X, $449.00 new)) or newest SX70HS (65X $549.00 new)). In addition to the pocketable Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70 (30X, $347.99 new) you might consider the larger Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 (60X, $297.99 new).

If you need larger than 1/2.33" sensor I have the pocketable Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 (but only 10X, $497.99 new) or the DMC-ZS200 (15X, 24-360mm equiv) ($747.99 new). There is also the larger Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 (16X , 25-400mm equiv, $497.990 new). It is hard to get a large zoom range with a 1" sensor in a small package.

You can save $ on any of these going for a refurbished copy. I happen to like B&H. Many of their offerings are like new.