cntry Loc: Colorado

The Sony A77II is a great camera! The 80-400 is nice, but if it's out of your price range, try the Sony 70-300G...You will be amazed at the speed of 12fps compared to a bridge camera.

A top of the line tripod will set you back some big bucks but a $100 one will do the same job. Go to a camera store and check one out in person...play with the head and make sure you're comfortable with it. Many on here recommend the ball head...I prefer one with a pistol grip. It's all individual preferences, no right or wrong there.

While you're at the camera store...also play with the camera, make sure it feels good in your hands and is something you wouldn't mind carrying all day. Attach the lens you choose and put it on a strap around your neck...it won't do you much good if you decide it's too heavy to carry for an extended period of time.

The picture from your SX50 looked nice just needed a little umph! added IMHO...I don't know about the SX50, but in my Sony HX300 I can control the color, contrast, and saturation levels...I upped them a little and my photos (that looked a lot like yours) were much better with deeper, richer colors.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Yep.

In that case I recommend the OM D EM1 and 57-300MM II.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

With that in mind you need also consider that many do not recommend mirrorless cameras for quick action because the electronic viewfinder has a short but distinct time lag and has some judder due to the refresh rate. Some people don't care and the time lag may not be critical for birding since their movement is more predictable than that of a soccer player, but you should keep it in mind. In any case you should get a smaller sensor in order to get greater magnification. In this case full frame doesn't make sense.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Especially if a tripod isn't going to be used.

Recently Olympus had the em1 refurbished for $1050. I've also spotted a 75-300 for $549. Kit 14-42's are under a $100 used, or you could skip that and grab a 17mm or 25mm for normal use.

Robert R Loc: Indianapolis and Naples

Donnie, From the picture of the oriole your SX50 is doing a great job. I use Canon 70D with the Canon 100-400 L lens. I get some good results but am still learning. I have heard the 7D is better for birding but I am happy with the results or the 70D. the 70D combo would be a little over budget.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

I second that recommendation for the Sony A77 II as a birding lens. I find that camera focusing ability makes lenses that I was not particularly fond off, suddenly become a workable lens.

Here is a link to some photo I posted on UHH using that camera and a ridiculously expensive 300mm f/2.8 lens with a 1.4X TC.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-226825-1.html

Benttree Loc: GA.

Sugar's Daddy,
I do birds with Cannon 7D & 100-400mm, 1/4x extender if need for.
Tripod or monop. I think this is a excellent pair.
I do have 5D Mark III, but 7D is better gear on birding.
As well I would like to have something lighter and smaller on carry with me.

h1h1d4mje

The Sony A58 is on sale now and you can get a longer lens with it for $100 off.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Benttree Loc: GA.

Sugar's Daddy, sorryyy, I met title to the Donny,,

7 D & 100-400mm on hummers in good day lite and tripods do the job a pretty good.

BigWahoo Loc: Kentucky

What are you unhappy about with your SX50?

With any DSLR a lens that is anywhere close to the effective focal length of the lens you have (1200mm) is going to cost thousands.

You can shoot raw and jpeg at the same time for pp.

I think that you have a fine camera for birding and need to shoot with it until you know yourself what you need in a camera.

I have not used a SX50 but if you can shoot in manual I would practice shooting manual. Many times on auto the camera will over/under expose because of the background.

In your photo it seems you have lost some detail due to over exposure.

A better camera doesn't necessarily mean better photos.

Your skills are much more important than the camera.

xiboia

If you are just interested in posting to the web vs large prints, you already have a pretty good camera. Lilian Scopes [field guides and http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com] uses one for web posts. it is a bit slow on the trigger but has super image stabilization. I know many birders, who do not want to either invest the big buck or do not want to carry a heavy lens, who use one. I would make sure you have a good tripod and also a window mount for your car-- cars make great blinds. I use one regularly for birds.

As far as Digiscoping, the cameras that work for Digiscoping are not the kinds that work well as stand alones in the field. But you can pick up a relatively cheap mount that will allow the use of a cell phone on your scope.

I would spend the time on your field skills, learning how to find bird in a tree with your camera [not so easy] and learn some post camera photoshop type skills, i would not buy a new camera until you feel you have done all you can with your camera.

CraigFair Loc: Santa Maria, CA.

I found my Crop Sensor D5300 would not give me the crisp clear shots I want at long range.
I moved to the D600 Full Frame with the same Lenses and got much improved clarity in my shots.
Nikon D610 24.3 MP $1400.00 and the Tamaron 150-600mm F/5-6.3 VC Di USD Lens $1100.00. Just $500.00 over budget.
Craig

Sugar'sDaddy Loc: Hannibal, MO

Thanks for the suggestions. I am just learning and just started shooting in manual and RAW. I think you are totaling right that I need to spend more time learning my camera and photography in general before I make any decision on more expensive equipment. I guess my biggest complaint about the SX50 is the slow auto-focus. Sometimes it just refuses to focus at all, but I'm learning techniques to improve that.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

A good suggestion and doable for two grand if you buy the lens used.

Now add a good tripod, a gimbal head and a wireless remote. Cost, roughly another grand. Wildlife and birding can get very expensive very quickly!

Jim D