Just a hypothetical: if you were to buy a bridge camera solely based on stills image quality (not concerned with video), which would you choose?
Back in 2006 I purchased a Sony H-1, still have it.
Love the fact that it focuses down to 2cm. 36-432mm equivalent (12x optical)
The pixel count is only 5.1Mp (Good for the time of release though.).
Nice little camera before my Canon T1i.
47greyfox
Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range
If money was no object, I’d have to go with a Sony RX10 iv. Else, a Canon SX70 or LUMIX FZ1000 ii
As a rule of thumb, 'better' is always $100 more than you can afford.
Probably the Sony RX10 III or IV, if money were no object.
My personal experience of zoom lenses is that once the range becomes greater than 4/5 x zoom, some level of image softness will be evident, which becomes greater as the zoom range increases. The pull of most bridge cameras is for the zoom, especially superzooms - at what might be a bargain price. It may be that the latest lens technology partly overcomes the problem, but it comes down to what you see as acceptable IQ performance. A fixed lens camera is always going to cost less than interchangeable lens types.
Try before you buy.
Sony RX10 M3 & M4, I've owned them both. I love to shoot live performances and this camera has never let me down. In tough low light situations and at great distances, I got images that made me smile. The example below was taken during a Christmas Concert. I was probably 75 feet from the subject. The camera had enough zoom to frame the subject to my liking and I was able to capture the emotion of the moment.
Soloist Stephanie Moore. DSC04058-01-2048 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
James56 wrote:
Sony RX10 M3 & M4, I've owned them both. I love to shoot live performances and this camera has never let me down. In tough low light situations and at great distances, I got images that made me smile. The example below was taken during a Christmas Concert. I was probably 75 feet from the subject. The camera had enough zoom to frame the subject to my liking and I was able to capture the emotion of the moment.
Soloist Stephanie Moore. DSC04058-01-2048 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
Sony RX10 M3 & M4, I've owned them both. I lov... (
show quote)
That is a marvellous picture - the 24-600 lens is absolute magic - seeing is believing. I am convinced of the superior image quality. I must withdraw the comments made in my earlier post. Technology is moving on - at break-neck speed.
frjeff wrote:
Just a hypothetical: if you were to buy a bridge camera solely based on stills image quality (not concerned with video), which would you choose?
I can not answer that question, as I do not know the difference between any of these cameras. I only know that the IQ of the Canon SX50 is actually quite good, as i gave one to my girlfriend many years ago for her birthday. I would think that the Nikon 1000 is a least as good with a much larger zoom range, but that does come with a price. It is essentially a D5 in disguise, at least in size and weight, so it is not pocketable as the SX50. I myself never used the SX, as it is waaaayyyyy to small for me!
Buy the best, if budget is not a factor. Sony RX10iv. Panasonic FZ2500, FZ1000, Canon's SX70 and SX60 are less expensive. If you like very long focal ranges, up to 3000mm, go with Nikon's P1000. For image IQ, your best bet is the Sony RX10iv. Website images from that camera are amazing. Good luck.
Hands down Sony Rx10 IV if money is no object.
MikeMck
Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay
No question, the Sony RX10 MIII or IV. Expensive, but well worth it. I would try KEH or Roberts Camera for used models. I have used both vendors and they are both class acts. The model III can be purchased for under $1,000. Considering you don't have to buy any lenses, it's not so bad. I ended up selling all my Canon equipment to fund the purchase of my RX10 MIV. Good luck!
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