Beenthere

Actually, both are mirrorless.., and there are a bunch of them out there from Point 'n' Shoot to MILC. As for TTL, they all derive an image "through-the-lens," it's how it gets to your eye that's different. It's either sent to an LCD, EVF, or both. All mirrorless cameras provide an image from the sensor, and surprise, so do "bridge" cameras. Essentially MILCs (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras) have an available lens system.., bridge cameras don't.

So, you're right there is no difference, you just have a choice as to what type of mirrorless you want. For the record, you need to decide whether you want to fumble around with lenses, or get a camera with a permanently attached, variable focal length, lens.

Bottom line; We COULD come up with all kinds of differences, which would be true with all types of cameras.., but who has the time? Buy something you like and get out there snappin' pics

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Yes - we would consider the SX70 HS a bridge camera, and the only difference between that type camera and most MILCs is the size of the camera and its sensor. However, if you want a camera with no need to change lenses and a great zoom range, a bridge camera is the answer. It is hard, if not impossible, to match the zoom range with anything else.

I have an earlier model, the SX50 HS and love it. One of my favorite photos was taken with it. But I find that for those "just in case" situations, I prefer a pocketable camera. I have Lumix DC-ZS80 I often carry and I'm quite pleased with it although it needs a big pocket to be "pocketable". Sony makes a comparable model, the DSC-HX99 which is a little smaller. Both have EVFs and are mirrorless. Compare then here:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Panasonic_DC-ZS80_vs_Sony_DSC-HX99/BHitems/1481457-REG_1437917-REG

Abo

I havn't read the other posts, so excuse me if I'm repeating
what someone else has posted.

A bridge camera has no mirror, so, it is a mirrorless camera.

JohnR Loc: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Give the Canon a big miss - I did just this and lost money when I had to resell the Canon. Later model Nikon Coolpix P950 or P1000 have better EVF's, IS and heaps more zoom.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

"Other than the lenses?" Well, the problem is, that's the primary difference between "mirrorless" and "bridge" cameras!

Mirrorless cameras have interchangeable lenses, same as DSLRs. There are "systems" of lenses made to work with them. (Note: What we often call "mirrorless" are more formally known as "mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras" or "MILC". This is a subset of "ILC" or "Interchangeable lens cameras" which include both mirrorless and DSLRs.)

Bridge cameras have a non-interchangeable lens.... usually, but not always a zoom.

All these camera types often have a viewfinder and provide "through the lens" (TTL) viewing.

Mirrorless cameras typically have an electronic viewfinder (EVF). A very small number of them also have an optical viewfinder (OVF).

However, some mirrorless have no viewfinder at all, but instead the user relies upon the LCD screen on the rear of the camera to compose their image. Some mirrorless without a built-in viewfinder can be fitted with an auxiliary EVF.

It is also typical for bridge cameras to have an EVF, though some instead have an OVF.

EVFs are essentially just LCD screens that display what the image sensor itself is "seeing" through the lens... i.e., TTL. Most mirrorless also have an LCD screen on the back of the camera and can send a Live View signal to that, instead, also TTL. DSLRs instead use a mirror that reflects what the lens is seeing into their OVF. DSLRs today also often have a Live View mode, where the mirror is lifted out of the way, the shutter is opened and the image sensor sends what it's "seeing" through the lens to the LCD display on the back of the camera.

In some cases both mirrorless and bridge cameras also... or bridge cameras instead... provide an OVF. However in most cases when either of them have an OVF it's unlike what is used in DSLRs. It's not TTL, but more like the viewfinders used in rangefinder cameras. Simply a "viewing window".

profbowman Loc: Harrisonburg, VA, USA

Back in 2010 when we bought my PowerShot SX30 IS camera, it was called a superzoom camera. A bridge between the point-and-shoot cameras and DSLRs. Even then it had an electronic viewfinder that was through-the-lens. Today, I found PC Magazine's latest review article on bridge cameras, and the cheapest (at $350 on Amazon) is the Panasonic LUMIX FZ80, a digital camera with 4K video support, 18.1 MP, O.I.S. stabilization, and 60X Zoom.

I am not advocating for this camera; in fact, I would want more MPs, at least 25 or more. I am illustrating that what some others here have used to define a bridge camera may not be accurate in today's market. And even the manufacturers do not even agree on what type to use with a given camera. While PC Magazine calls this a bridge camera, on Amazon it is called a "Point and Shoot Long Zoom Camera," and down the page further in a quote from Panasonic, it is the "perfect point-and-shoot camera for travelers."

So, look at many cameras, choose your price range and features, and then buy it regardless of what it is called. --Richard

jonsailhob

Thank you all for the excellent discussion!

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I should have mentioned the obvious, the non interchangeable lens.
..the only OTHER difference.. would have been more correct.

lreisner Loc: Union,NJ

In the last post I just wrote about the Sony RX 10 IV. I know I'll set off a hornets nest of comment by saying that it is currently one of the best Bridge cameras in its class with a 24-600mm zeiss lens optical. It can be doubled. If size is an issue, then the Sony RX 100 series cameras are worth looking at. The big advantage of bridge cameras is their weight and size. Picture quality wise, there is no difference between the Rx 10 and the 100 series cameras. Yes Nikon, Canon and a few others make good bridge cameras as well.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you can't feel that an image came from a mirrorless camera, it probably didn't.

jonsailhob

I have a Sony RX 100 iv. Wonderful camera. Just wish I’d gotten a vi or vii for the increased zoom. The 1 inch sensor makes a huge difference, but not enough for the lesser zoom. RX 10 IV has a large price barrier, although maybe could cover enough distance for the birds we do. Thanks for the comments.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Worthless advice? Sure enough is...!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Should we reserve a small or extra-small sizing for your Chg Canon Fan Boyz hat, when we get some back in-stock?

jmunny Loc: Buena Park, CA

Thank you for your thorough answer.

profbowman Loc: Harrisonburg, VA, USA

Jmunnm, just a quick heads up, but you might know this already. If you select the "Quote Reply" button rather than the "Reply" button, we all can see what response you are referring to. For example, here are you thanking me or most likely someone else? --Richard