Looking to buy a bridge camera for beginning photographer. Do not think an slr would be good for a first camera. Thanks for your thoughts.
Mileagemaker wrote:
Looking to buy a bridge camera for beginning photographer. Do not think an slr would be good for a first camera. Thanks for your thoughts.
A few more details may get you better advice, such as the age of the recipient, their level of knowledge of photography and your price range.
I bought my son an Olympus TG-6 for a first camera. Almost indestructible. Good in water, sand, dust...And a very good suite of built in capabilities. Macro, Micro, focus stacking...pretty good zoom, and a fixed telephoto available.
I like mine, he likes his!
Sony RX10M4 best bridge camera on the market. It is a great starter camera and will last a long time. No need to update everything you need is in your hands.
lreisner wrote:
A few more details may get you better advice, such as the age of the recipient, their level of knowledge of photography and your price range.
I second this comment. In order to get sound advice a rifle approach would be better than a shotgun approach. I have a Canon SX50 an oldie but goodie. I also have a Sony RX 100 VII (not a true bridge camera, but my go to camera for casual shooting.
As good as it is, at $1700.00 the RX-10IV is probably at bit high for a beginner. There are some very good choices at some attractive and affordable prices, used or refurbished that are available, such as the Canon SX60 or 70, and if you can find one, even though it’s an older camera, the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 is a good choice. So is the Sony HX400. Bridge cameras such as the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 and the Sony RX10 serieswith the 1” type sensor are going to be a lot more expensive. The original RX10 might be affordable. I’m not saying this to be cheap, but someone who is a rank beginner may or may not develop a love for photography, and spending a lot of money on something that might not get used would be a waste in my opinion.
revhen
Loc: By the beautiful Hudson
Does the recipient have a cell phone that takes pictures? That may be enough. Tempted to say LOL.
... Canon SX60HS (or 50 or 70) ... check out their site or the Stoke's birding site ... you don't hear too much about here ... not a high dollar item ...
Bob S
bnsf wrote:
Sony RX10M4 best bridge camera on the market. It is a great starter camera and will last a long time. No need to update everything you need is in your hands.
Yes, it's a good camera, but it also costs $1,700, and it is somewhat heavy for a beginner. If weight is not a problem, maybe try to find a used one for a beginning photographer?
I am extremely happy with my old Canon SX50 HS. I am also happy with my Lumix pocketables. So as a blend of the 2, I recommend the Lumix DC-FZ80 ($397.99). The only limitation for me is that the touchscreen is fixed.
Then again the Canon SX70 HS ($599) should be good, although the articulated monitor isn't a touchscreen which, to me, is a worse limitation than not being articulated.
Going up further in price is the Nikon P950 ($796.95) with also a non-articulated touchscreen.
All those have 1/2.3" sensors allowing a tremendous zoom range.
A handy pocketable 1/2.3" camera is my Lumix DC-ZS80 ($447.99) or the Sony DSC-HX99 ($473.00)
Does the Sony RX1 qualify as a bridge or it's just a P&S?
bnsf wrote:
Sony RX10M4 best bridge camera on the market. It is a great starter camera and will last a long time. No need to update everything you need is in your hands.
But pricey! I have one and got it a few months ago after having a man who bought one drop by the Senior Center Camera Club meeting asking for help learning how to use his early last year.
It is a great camera of its type!
niteman3d
Loc: South Central Pennsylvania, USA
I use my old Nikon P610 now and then and it still stands up well. The B500 is more recent and very similar. It comes in at well under $400 new and can be found in used but like new condition for $250 or less. If you're willing to accept less than pristine, then even less than that. I saw one at B&H with their warranty only for $280 new (gray market?). An upside to me with that camera is 4 AA batteries, (I think) and 40x zoom.
BebuLamar wrote:
Does the Sony RX1 qualify as a bridge or it's just a P&S?
I don’t know if it qualifies as a bridge camera, but it does qualify as the priciest “point and shoot” camera.
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