Jack B Loc: Mount Pleasant, SC

Fellow UHHers:
My main camera combination is a Canon R7 with R 24-105mm L lens. There is also a Canon flash with the system. All work beautifully together. Used it extensively at a family Thanksgivig gathering yesterday. By the end of the day, the camera system was feeling very heavy but the photos were great (for the most part!). On the way home thought about how a "bridge" camera would have been easier to work with since the photos do not need to be "world" class. In addition to the R lens listed above, I have four other R lens, not L-types but good glass. The two cameras listed in the intro are current considerations. Of course, the R10 is not a "bridge" camera but with a zoom lens it could be used as one with the built in flash. It would be mucn lighter than the R7 combo and would take excellent photos. The Lumix listed is a true bridge camera and gets good reviews. The photos would probably not equal those from the R10 (my guess). Cost is not a factor as the two are roughly the same price. Know this has been wordy and thank you for reading this far. Please share your thoughts with me on this concernig a possible purchase. Again, thank you.
Jack B

rangel28

I have a Panasonic FZ2500 that I use on occasion and overall I am pleased with it. These bridge cameras have 1-inch sensors, so crop frame and fill frame cameras will definitely give you better results, however you can get very good results with these cameras. I have found that it helps with Panasonic bridge cameras to tweak the "Photo Styles" (for jpegs, Nikon calls them Picture Controls, not sure what Canon calls them) to increase sharpness, contrast and decrease noise reduction. This generally gives me better results for jpegs right out of the camera. The FZ2500 is very similar than the FZ1000 II, but it built more for video (it has a built in ND filter).

Jack B Loc: Mount Pleasant, SC

Thank you for your comments especially on FZ2500.
Jack B

Pentax21

I have a Sony RX10iv, which is quite a bit more expensive. But if you don't need 600mm, there are RX10's available in both the first and second iteration. They both max out at 200mm. They are both availible both new and used on the internet. The RX10iii is also 600mm. My camera is noticeably heavier than my friend's RX10ii. You can't beat the Zeiss lens on these cameras, and Sony offers some interesting software you can download that makes these cameras fun to use. I bought mine used from KEH. If they grade it excellent, you can't go wrong. This picture was taken with the illustrated option that is part of the download.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

If I'm not mistaken, the R10 lacks a feature I consider important, In-Body-Image-Stabilization (IBIS).
Furthermore, for light weight you might consider the pocketable (if you have large pockets) ZS100 or ZS200. I got the ZS100 before the 200 came out and am very happy with it. Be advised that the flash on pocketables is weak and there is no hot-shoe.

Jack B Loc: Mount Pleasant, SC

Thank you for your comments.
Jack B

greenwork Loc: Southwest Florida

I came to the same conclusion, that my Nikon 850 was overkill and picked up the Canon
R10. For its intended purpose it has been great and brings back some of the fun factor. The good news is with a little extra effort in post and a couple magic plug-ins you’ll be surprised with the results. Good luck!

Jack B Loc: Mount Pleasant, SC

Thank you for your comments'
JackB

JoeBiker Loc: homebase: Houston, TX

I have a Lumix FZ1000 II that I use mainly for wildlife photography. It does a great job (so long as I can get close enough to the wildlife), but sometimes I wish that it had more than a 400 mm lens. I considered replacing it (or augmenting it) with an FZ80 or FZ300 to get more zoom, and they get good reviews, but then I realized that they are 5 and 7 years old, and (even thought they are fairly inexpensive) I didn't want invest in technology that old. One of the advantage of the mid-priced bridge cameras is that I can afford to replace them as newer technology comes out. Note that the FZ1000 II is now over 3 years old; so right now, I am watching and waiting for something new to come out.

WRT to the 400mm lens: anything over 400mm starts to get "flat", so it is always better to get closer if you can... but that is sometimes easier said than done when you are dealing with lions, etc.

Also, note that these are much lighter than a DSLR; but they are, by no means, a pocket camera. They take up quite a bit of room in a backpack.

Jack B Loc: Mount Pleasant, SC

Thank you for your comments,
Jack B

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Jack, I haven't owned the Canon but did have the Lumix FZ1000 a few years ago and loved it - great little camera that took excellent photographs. One other thing you *might* want to consider. I recently purchased a Nikon Z50 with Nikon's 18-140mm lens took it to Iceland. The Z50 is an extremely lightweight cropped sensor and the 18-140 lens wasn't heavy to handle. I was very, very happy with the photos it took and the weight. Even carrying it all day, including some pretty strenuous hiking, it never bothered me. As a side note, I'm 66 and have had 10 surgeries on my hands, fingers, and wrists due to arthritis. This setup was never too heavy for me. I know it wasn't one of the cameras you mentioned, but just wanted to throw that out there for consideration.

Jack B Loc: Mount Pleasant, SC

JC
Thank you for your comments. How was Iceland? Probably will not get there since I am 85.
Jack B

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Iceland was a "bucket list" trip for me and it was just stunning. I'll try to post a few pics here....all taken with the Z50 and the 18-140mm lens....

Jack B Loc: Mount Pleasant, SC

Thanks for the photos.
Jack

mvetrano2 Loc: Commack, NY

Over the years (76 now) I have been trying to go lighter and lighter because holding large, heavey SLR and DSLR cameras and heavy pro lenses has taken its toll. A couple of years ago I traded all DSLRs for an all mirrorless set to lighten the load, and now even these are getting harder and harder to use, so I am even going lighter because I am exercising my hobby lesser ans lesser.

I currently have the canon R6 and R10 with a myriad of RF and EF lenses which have been used less and less frequently nodding to my G7XIII for travel and my (purched used) Panasonic ZS20 for everything else. The ZS20 stays in the car to be available whenever I need to take a photo. These may not take the wonderful photos of the larger (and heavier) equipment, but they are easier on the arms and I can always correct the photos in post processing.

If I were you, in your current situation, (similar to mine) I would opt for the lighter FX1000.