Bridge Cameras (Page 6): Zoom is relative term because you need to ask is it optical or digital zoom. I don't know how much difference there is and what do you want to do with the...

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Zoom is relative term because you need to ask is it optical or digital zoom. I don't know how much difference there is and what do you want to do with the photos is a factor.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Sidwalkastronomy wrote:

Zoom is relative term because you need to ask is it optical or digital zoom. I don't know how much difference there is and what do you want to do with the photos is a factor.

Yes, and how much cropping you need to do. I'm only considering optical zoom. And percent zoom is only the highest focal length divided by the lowest. It doesn't give you the equivalent focal length in mm. I know the pics of the moon with the 1440mm optical zoom on the Coolpix B700 with the 1/2.3" sensor were better than those taken with the 300mm lens used on full frame (300mm focal length) or an APS-C sensor (450mm equivalent) or the 1" sensor (810mm equivalent). But for birds cropped 100% the 1" sensor was best.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

I have several bridge cameras, two are Lumix and both produce exceptional pictures considering the sensor size. My FZ70 is used for most of my closeups of insects, birds, and flowers. It has an optical zoom from 20 to 1200mm. My other Lumix is the FZ100 which only reaches to 400mm optical but has a slightly larger sensor.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

In photography, size does matter!!

pjalper Loc: San Pedro Ca.

I have the "required" Nikon kit with D750 and several Nikon prime glass. BUT I also have a FZ200 which serves me well when out and about. The FZ with a 2.8 app all across the spectrum
is worth it. Buy used and smart....Peter

fredfinke Loc: Denver

RAW photos are about the only REAL advantage. I used (and only recently up graded) an FZ35 LUMIX camera (18x) and it’s simplicity and amazing optics are quite impressive! If you’re looking for light weight and great results you can’t do better.

fredfinke Loc: Denver

RAW photos are about the only REAL advantage. I used (and only recently up graded) an FZ35 LUMIX camera (18x) and it’s simplicity and amazing optics are quite impressive! If you’re looking for light weight and great results you can’t do better.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

lesdmd wrote:

When your paycheck depends on producing consistent... (show quote)

Wrong! You can see a surgeon using a kitchen knife in a kitchen - just no kitchen knife in surgery!

All kidding aside, you are right that each tool has its proper place and use. There are professionals that own bridge cameras and know how to use them to help them to make a living. They prefer cameras with more quality and versatility. But if they need to use a bridge camera to get the shot to make their paycheck, I seriously doubt they would even consider hesitating.

fredfinke Loc: Denver

wdross wrote:

Wrong! You can see a surgeon using a kitchen knife... (show quote)

I know there are many advantages to bells and whistles like controlling DOF and such but the build quality of a LUMIX, while not tank like aka Nikon, is far above a Brownie. The lens glass is made by Leica and the full frame FZ200 (25-600mm) is very respectable as a bridge, even at 12MP.

So in model railroad terms “you don’t have to be a rivet counter” to run a railroad and have fun!

fredfinke Loc: Denver

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumix

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

fredfinke wrote:

I know there are many advantages to bells and whistles like controlling DOF and such but the build quality of a LUMIX, while not tank like aka Nikon, is far above a Brownie. The lens glass is made by Leica and the full frame FZ200 (25-600mm) is very respectable as a bridge, even at 12MP.

So in model railroad terms “you don’t have to be a rivet counter” to run a railroad and have fun!

adedeluca Loc: holbrook ny

Agree

dpfoto Loc: Cape Coral, FL

It all depends on how you use them. I use Nikon DSLR cameras for my professional work. They have become too heavy to carry around on our vacation trips though. I recently purchased a (slightly used) Leica V-LUX 114, and used it last week at Disney World. I was amazed at the sharpness I was able to get with it. It weighs only about 24 ounces, which a lot lighter than the 3.5 pounds I had been carrying.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

fredfinke wrote:

... and the full frame FZ200 (25-600mm) is very respectable ...

We use the term "full frame" to indicate a camera with a sensor the size of a 35mm slide or negative. The FZ200 (or current FZ300) sensor is MUCH smaller than that.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Gene51 wrote:

Tri-X is right on the money! br br Your friend is... (show quote)

I always admire you posts. They are very helpful and intelligent. I had the Sony RX10 III the first bridge with the 600mm lens. As you have said I believe some critics were wrong. The visuals are very good. The camera good for everything. And shooting only had a problem with a long zoom focus shot in dim light like a soccer game late in the day. And the big time pro camera's. I - bought 2 of the first D800 had problems. I bought them for video. We shift our kit's according to our work and lives. I have been selling my Sony cameras and lens. At my age now find work gone this year Fuji a joy to work with. Just learning what they can do. Bought into asp-c as good for my work at this point. Still kept a Sony a7s II. Thanks for your thoughts.