Eagle Whisperer

Really torn on choosing the right camera. I have been a point and shoot girl with a Sony Cybershot DSC hx 300 on automatic settings for a few years now. I have learned that my zoom is not sufficient for many of the shots I take of eagles owls and ospreys. One friend (Larry) suggested the new bridge camera from Sony RX 10 IV. I watched a review that called it the Mommy camera that the whole family can use. As a woman, this turned me off even though some of the reviews are great. I am more then an amateur photographer with a huge passion for photography but I suck at all the techy aspects of figuring out the best camera for me. I use auto settings but hope to expand my abilities beyond this in baby steps. Looking for suggestions in the $3500 range. I was comparing Nikon versus Canon. Love all the Nikon reviews but may be out of my price range. I bought a friend the Canon Rebel last year and I liked the weight and feel of that camera. I am not opposed to buying a used camera body and new lenses but am unsure who would be reputable for a used purchase. I am very lucky to have great subject matter around me and want to capture and create better finished products. Any advice would be appreciated.

WarpedWeaver

As a woman, and a bridge camera user getting ready to upgrade to mirrorless, may I suggest if wildlife is your "thing" you try looking at reviews for cameras (such as DP review) that can get you in with the critters? The camera I have decided on would not work for what you enjoy - that's the beauty of this hobby - there is a camera for everyone. Research carefully - you may need better glass than a great body. But your budget is healthy so you should be able to at least get your upgrade started. I wish you much success in your photographic endeavors.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Hello Eagle Whisperer, and welcome to the Hog. Your question and price range should raise a few responses. Don't buy anything at this time. There is too much to learn to buy now. Research is what you need at this time. Have you ever heard of refurbished equipment? Usually that is new equipment that was "tried out" and returned as opened merchandise. Outright used equipment is another way to obtain gear. Some folks might tell you to concentrate on lenses and not so much on the body. Mirrorless or not? Crop or full? There is SO much to learn. Wait and learn.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

You are considering jumping from a mega-zoom to a DSLR (a Canon Rebel). You will be hard pressed to get the same tele magnification on a DSLR or mirrorless. The 35mm equivalent of your 50X Sony is 1182mm. On a Canon Rebel you would need a 700mm lens just to about equal it. If the benefit of an DSLR sensor over the Sony Cybershot DSC HX 300 sensor is not critical, you might consider something like the mega-zoom Nikon COOLPIX P900 which is like your Sony but with an 83X zoom that goes to a 35mm equivalent of 2000mm, something impractical for a DSLR or mirrorless. The COOLPIX P1000 goes to an equivalent 3000mm.

deer2ker Loc: Nashville, TN

I don't know where you are located but I would go to the nearest camera shop that sells all the different brands and pick up and try all the different styles, weights, and feel. Just about all brands will have a really great option in the price range you are looking at. Take your time because you want to "enjoy" your camera not have one that becomes a chore. Good luck!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Hi, Larry here .......If you look at interchangeable lens cameras, it is a deep rabbit hole you will be going down!

As for an APSC size camera, my first suggestion would be a Sony A6400/6500 - but there are really no good long lenses for it ! Putting a Tamron 18-400mm lens on the Sony would be a nice starter lens for you -BUT- you have to use an adapter to get that lens on a Sony and I personally know of no one who is successfully using that Tamron lens on a Sony - for WILDLIFE !! ?? The 18-400 is also a desireable lens that you could upgrade from and not loose much.

Why am I big on Sony ?? One reason is because of their Clear Image Zoom - which makes GOOD long lenses LONGER ! - and it is FREE !

Mirrorless IS the future and an investment in a mirror less camera now is a GOOD investment.

I still think you should TRY the RX10 IV - if you do not like it you can sell/trade it and NOT loose much if any $$. - it is a very DESIREABLE camera. Your money is safe.


..

Eagle Whisperer

Dear Warped Weaver,

Thanks for the response. I have looked at hours of reviews and the only thing I know so far is that it will be a big leap from my present camera to the next. Most say go mirrorless and make sure you get to hold and test the bulk (or not) of the camera to be sure it is suitable. I live in Vermont (the land of catalogue shopping) and cannot go to a local store other than Walmart to test drive cameras. Wisely most professionals are not comfortable giving a solid suggestion as it is definitely a personal choice. So is it better bridge camera and then on to the world of lens later? This is a great site. Thanks for the advice!

Eagle Whisperer

Hi David,

Yes much to learn. The word refurbished scares me a little. I have dunked a few cameras in the lake. Sony had a fair price to refurbish but their warranty for this service was only like 30 days. I thought if they were not confident in backing their repair then I wasn't that confident paying for the process. So that puts me off a little. I want the hand holding and magic wand but I see I need to work harder at this. I feel urgency as lambing season has begun and the eagles will start rebuilding their nests soon! Thanks for the support!

Eagle Whisperer

Hi Paul,

Yes I want to step up to bigger and better. I love my camera but at full zoom my end product is pixelated. I may reconsider the bridge camera so I can spend more time researching for the next big learning step and curve. Thanks

Eagle Whisperer

Hey deer2ker,

You have hit the biggest issue. I live in the country and no great options to test drive the camers which would be the best learning method of all. I may have to take a road trip! Thanks

Eagle Whisperer

Hey Larry,

I am still pondering this. You may very well be right. Thanks!

Bird Lover Loc: Central northern NY

Hi Eagle Whisperer. I've used the Sony DSCHX 300 and loved the reach of that zoom but there were things I didn't care for about it, mostly the time it took in continuous shooting to clear. If you aren't finding the Sony to have the reach you want I think you could end up disappointed with the RX 10 IV. It may rank higher on the list of bridge cameras but you'll be losing a lot of zoom and I think that's a main point you might want to consider. I've been using the P900 and am much happier with that than the Sony but it took some getting used to and working with the picture controls. The P900 to me is not as 'punchy' as the Sony but you can adjust that in your picture control settings. My recommendation on the P900 is the zoom which is quite phenomenal. That camera will allow you to capture birds quite far away. I think its forte is wildlife but it's not great for low light or low light video. I've also been using the Lumix FZ1000 which is a 1 in sensor camera and quite fast for a bridge camera but limited to 16X optical zoom. If you really want long zoom over anything I think you might want to look into the P900 or P1000. You can do better in DSLR but if you're going to be shooting at great distances you're going to have to spend to find something anywhere near the reach of these cameras. I've used a number of bridge cameras and a couple entry level DSLR camera and, for me, the P900 wins every time when it comes to wildlife distant shooting. If you are looking for RAW capability don't buy the P900 but I believe the P1000 does shoot RAW.

whatdat Loc: Del Valle, Tx.

I have had good results with refurbished equipment. Cameta Camera has a 1 year warranty on a lot of their cameras which can be as good as new warranties. Just my thoughts.

Cyber Digest

SONY DSC-RX10 IV RX10M4 4K Recording F2.4 24-600mm for 1/2 of your money.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Nikon D500 body paired with the Nikon 200-500 5.6 lens. This is a proven winner with no equals, as of this printing that is.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1214161-REG/nikon_1559_d500_dslr_camera_body.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1175034-REG/nikon_af_s_nikkor_200_500mm_f_5_6e.html?sts=pi

And the combo comes in at only $3200.00. Trust me, this is what you need. Below are some grab shots taken with this combo. Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.