Jeannie88

Yesterday, saw someone with a Nikon Bridge camera. As I am getting older, that seems like a good way to go, especially if I travel. Any one using a Nikon Bridge camera, or an olympus(if there is one)? I have used DSLRS for years and wonder if I would really like a one does it all camera?Right Now I am an Olympus User, although I was a nikon User for many years. What about Sony? Many years ago , I did have a Sony 828, I think it was called, and the color , and macros were wonderful

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

I switched to a Sony RX10 IV in 2018 from two Canon DSLR's for a river cruise. I'm still very happy with the Sony - sold the Canon DSLR's and lenses. it's the #1 Bridge camera on the market. I began my digital experience in 2000 with a Sony F 707.
Mark

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I second the RX10 IV, I have one in addition to my EF and RF Canon's. It is my second most used camera (When I don't feel like carrying a bag full of stuff.) My R7 is my most used, it is on a Tamron 600mm mounted on a tripod for birds etc and sits by the door overlooking my backyard feeders. The R7 replaced an 80D and 7DII, both of which are now backups.

Jeannie88

Thanks to both of You. I had just read an article listing the best bridge cameras, and that Sony was on top. I am really thinking about this. I have also noticed that I have been shooting a lot less since before covid. I did like the burst speed on this camera

ricardo00

My wife used Panasonic Lumix bridge cameras for a number of years (would have to look up which ones). Many of her pics were as good as mine and of course she was carrying much less! However on a trip to Alaska a piece in the lens came loose and no longer could focus (it was about 2 years old and had hardly been used). So she started using my "old" Nikon gear and although I have offered to buy her a new mega zoom bridge camera (anyone she wanted), she decided to stick with the camera gear. I do envision at some point both of us will switch to one of these mega zoom bridge cameras but for the moment we are still using the Nikon gear.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

This is a common issue as we age. At age 75, I haven’t yet taken the plunge.

BebuLamar

Can something like the Sony R1 (any version) or the Leica Q (any version) considered as a bridge camera?

ricardo00

Personally I do not consider a full frame camera as a "bridge camera", even one which has a single lens (ie. non-interchangeable lens). To me, a bridge camera has a smaller sensor and can zoom out. But maybe others do consider those as "bridge cameras" though the Sony RX10 is much heavier than the RX1.

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

I have always been an Olympus guy but I also have a Leica V-Lux bridge camera which I love. Great build quality and extremely good results. Panasonic offers a bridge with similar capabilities.

Dave H2

Well, I'm 86 and still use my D500 and D7200 almost all of my photos. I do have a Lumix F200 bridge camera, but even tho it's lighter and has good zoom, it still can't do the job the big guys do. I'll just keep lugging until I can't anymore.
Dave

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

The most common definition of a "bridge camera" I have seen is one that is a bridge between a single fixed lenses (short zoom or single length) with simplified controls and cameras with advanced controls and interchangable lenses. No mention of sensor size.
My first digital was an early Olympus without much of a zoom. It got knocked off a desk and broken beyond reasonable repair cost. So I bough a Fuji HS10*, then I got my wife a Canon SX50* and now I have the RX10 IV. I first saw one when someone showed up at the Senior Center Photo Club with one looking for help on how to use it. Other than the exposure triangle etc. we couldn't really help him as none of us had seen one before. But I looked it up, liked what I saw and bought one.

*Back then "bridge camera" and "superzoom" were competing names for this type of camera.

My first full frame with lenses was my Sigma SD10 (also an SD14 which I traded), then in order Canon 6D, Canon 5DIV, Canon RP.
In "crop sensor" sizes I have Canon 7DII, 80D, 90D and R7. I also have an assortment of small older superzooms I picked up at Good Will (average $20 each) so each of the four family cars has a camera with batteries in it all the time. I bought a Panasonic DMC ZS5 at Costco and right at the end of warranty it got a thread(??HOW??) inside the lens and instead of fixing it Panasonc sent me a refurbished ZS6 that still lives in the pocket of my utility vest so whenever I leave the house I have a camera.

And of course I have a couple of shelves filled with Canon EF and RF lenses (20 or so total + my wife's camera and 5 lenses).

ricardo00

So does the Sony RX1 count as a bridge camera by your criteria? And what distinguishes point and shoot from bridge camera? Lots of different choices and even the "sophisticated" high end mirrorless cameras with lots of advanced controls can be used in auto just like a Sony RX10 can be made to do all kinds of sophisticated photos shoots.
The reason I said smaller sensor (typically 1 inch) is so they can give you greater "magnification", ie. super zoom versus a point and shoot. It would be impossible for a full frame sensor to give you 200mm plus focal length with their built in lens.

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

I still have my Canon SX50 and love it. 😁

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Add me in as a third vote for the Sony RX10IV. A friend recommended it to me and I honestly find it will do pretty close to 95% or higher, anything I did previously with other DSLRs. I recommended it to a friend and she also seems to like it a lot as she did not want to have to change lenses. I still use other cameras from time to time but my most used camera now is the Sony.

Dennis

sschonfeld

The Rx10 iv is still a large camera. I have used Canon DSLRs and wanted smaller camera without sacrificing range. The lumix zs80d is remarkable. 20mp , 30x leica zoom , viewfinder and screen and easily fits in a pocket. Full function options. Look and compare. Enlarge 8x20- 13x19