markwilliam1

It’s a no brainer in my opinion. Go with the Sony RX10 M4. It’s the Best bridge camera you can buy! Will serve all your needs from Macro to BIF. Amazing fast focus. It truly does it all. I own this camera and am speaking from experience not just someone quoting reviews.

tomad Loc: North Carolina

As others have said, the Sony RX10 M4 is the gold standard for bridge superzoom cameras. I use it for everything, but wildlife shots is where it really excels, especially with action shots like birds in flight.

ashriverguy Loc: Rural Minnesota

I have owned the Lumix FZ 1000 and returned it for the FZ 2500. I have tested the Sony next to both
above mentioned Lumix cameras and I do believe the Sony is a touch sharper at full telephoto but not
enough to outweigh the weigh and price difference. Also, there complaints the the Sony menu is very hard to learn. I like my Lumix FZ 2500 and I think you will too.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

As many of us recommend a good, but expensive camera Sony RX10 M4, I would suggest to at least consider some other possibilities.

If you look for a small photographic tool - so you don't have to change the lenses, you can check the Canon, Kodak, Sony or Panasonic line of cameras with small sensor (1/2.3)

Like Canon SX70 (21-1365mm zoom, 20MP, EVF, swivel screen, $549), Kodak PixPro AZ652 (20MP, 24-1500mm zoom, EVF, swivel screen $329), Panasonic FZ300 (24-600mm zoom, EVF, touch swivel screen $398) These are probably the top cameras of their class.

If you like to go for a larger (1") sensor, the camera is going to be larger, too.
Here are some of the better ones: Panasonic ZS 1000 (24-470mm zoom, EVF, 20 MP, touch swivel screen $700) Panasonic FZ 2500 (24-480mm zoom, EVF, 20MP, touch swivel screen, $998) Sony RX10 M4 (24-600mm zoom, EVF, 20MP and only tilting screen $1600)

For my trips in States and Europe I consider zooms over 600mm difficult to handle, so the Panasonics (under 600mm zooms) are looking more practical. Also, the larger (1") sensor allows you to enlarge the image and rather compensate for the shorter zoom. I prefer the swivel screens for tripod use.

I hope this list might help you to navigate and get the camera you will be happy with?
Good Luck!

rcarol

I second the Lumix FZ-1000. It is an incredible camera and has become my go-to camera for travel. I can choose from my Canon cameras, Nikon cameras, Oly camera and more. But the FZ-1000 is the one that goes traveling with me.

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Less than $20 at Amazon for "The Friedman Archives Guide to Sony's RX-10 IV" takes care of the menu problem with extensive presets for multiple programmable buttons for just about every situation you're apt to run into. I switched from the 1000 mm Fuji super-zoom to the Sony with only a few minor burps. I really believe you have to spend some time to find out just what this Sony is capable of, and why it has such a complicated menu system. You don't need but a minor part of this system to be able to capture your images, but if you delve deeper into it a whole new realm of possibilities opens up. I consider the $1700 well spent.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

There is no question, the Sony RX10iv Bridge camera is the best of all. There are other Bridge cameras that have a longer focal range. But, in reality, even though it may not have the focal range of a Nikon P1000, the Sony RX10iv is still above the competition.

DeeRock Loc: Nebraska

I'm new to the forum and completely new to photography. I did purchase a Sony RX10 Mark 4 and am learning to use it. I mostly take pictures of my grandson's track and cross country meets as well as family. I've been pleased with the pictures and camera but hope when I learn to use the camera properly, my pictures will improve. The pictures included are mostly on auto settings. Three have been cropped and the bird - my first bird picture ever - was lightened but needs to be lightened a little more. The first picture is a crop of #3.

Overall I am pleased with the camera. I just need to learn more about it.

Any constructive help is welcome.

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cascoly Loc: seattle

that's exactly what i do, too -- and when using the monopod set in mycamera bag i can handjhold at 1/8" or bracket of 5 for HDR - works great & becomes 2nd nature

RosiArt

My wife experienced the same issue with her FZ200 and it was going to cost several hundred $$ to have it fixed so we bought the new (at the time) FZ300 and she thinks it is even better. After back surgery I got rid of all of my Canon gear starting with the 5D III and all of the heavy glass that I was dragging around- probably around 30+ lbs. While I am impressed with her Lumix and the price, at about $400, I did want a little larger sensor and additional features, including probably the fastest focus out there on the Sony RX10-4. (24 fps).
I have to warn you however, besides the price ($1600) the menu system is more complex than the Lumix and has taken me quite a while now to feel relatively comfortable using the camera. If you do go the Sony route, I'd suggest you buy one of the books about it to help you learn the complex and extensive menu system.

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

I'll repeat: "The Friedman Archives Guide to Sony's RX-10 IV" IMO, the pain-killer for the menu system.

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

I'm not sure what you will do in the future with your camera but you do mention that carrying a camera around your neck is distasteful to you. Sony Canon Nikon and others do make long zoom cameras that you can carry in a shirt pocket. I'm typing this with a Sony HX 80 (24-720 mm ) in my pocket. It's always with me. It's images are surprisingly good. The one weak point in the whole camera system is in the 12 inches directly behind the viewfinder. The camera's capabilities exceed my capacity to full utilize them. I don't know (haven't tried yet) how the little guy will do in dim lighting situations. I'm thinking that might prove to be be a chink in the armor for this camera.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Welcome to UHH!

Great photos.

Not being one to ignore the $ and since you were happy with the Panasonic, I suggest you look into the Panasonic Lumix offerings that compete with the Sony. While the zoom is only to 400mm, the DMC-FZ1000 is less than 1/2 the price of the Sony. Then there is the DMC-FZ2500 Digital which zooms out to 480mm for less than $1,000. Both have 1" sensors.

In additiion, if you were satisfied with the 1/2.3" sensor, you might consider the Lumix DC-ZS70 which zooms 24-720mm, and has 21MP for only $347.99. This model is pocketable and has a viewfinder!

you can do a detailed comparison at:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Panasonic_DMC-FZ1000_vs_Sony_DSC-RX10_IV_vs_Panasonic_DC-ZS70_vs_Panasonic_DMC-FZ300/BHitems/1057135-REG_1361560-REG_1328549-REG_1162645-REG

RosiArt

Yes, the Friedman book is excellent, but it has about 650 pages which are needed to explain all of the features of the truly brilliant RX10-4. He makes a point early on that there are so many ways to do things on this Sony, that it's best to learn 2 ways well and begin shooting and enjoying before trying to become knowledgeable and proficient in all of the ways.

DeeRock Loc: Nebraska

Thanks, I'll try it!