rmalarz wrote:
The only reason to stick with your current camera's manufacturer is if you have a good number of lenses that would work on the new camera....
Actually, there are similarities between the fixed lens/bridge cameras, such as the OP is using and the DSLR models.... And being familiar with the controls, naming conventions, menu navigation might encourage sticking with the same brand.
OTOH, if you've ever considered changing brands, it's certainly best to do so before you get invested in a lot of lenses and accessories. Switching brands after you've got a lot invested can be much more expensive.
Go to a store and check out some of your options in BOTH systems. Also study the systems beyond the camera itself, to be sure the manufacturer offers lenses, accessories etc. that you might want now or sometime in the future.
rmalarz wrote:
Since you are upgrading to an FX format... chances are your current lenses wouldn't cover the full frame.
The OP mentions "wanting a larger sensor"... but that doesn't necessarily mean full frame/FX. $1000 won't go very far, either, a full frame camera & full frame-compatible lenses.
An APS-C/DX crop camera is much more affordable... and still provides a substantial increase in sensor size (for overall better image quality, much higher usable ISOs than possible with the tiny sensors in many bridge cameras).
Personally I use Canon cameras and lenses, so that's the system I know best. To get a little more bang for your buck, you might consider buying refurbished. Those are often little different from new and nicely discounted, recent or current models. Canon USA sells their refurbished cameras directly from their website and they are warranted the same as new. For
just over $1000 there you can get a
Canon EOS 80D with EF-S 18-135mm IS USM lens. Or for
well under $1000 there's
EOS 70D with EF-S 18-135mm IS STM... or
Rebel T6s with EF-S 18-135mm IS STM and EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lenses... or
Rebel T6i with EF-S 18-55mm IS STM and EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lenses.
Any of the above would be pretty darned good.... the 80D, T6s and T6i are all 24MP models (basically the same sensor that's being used in current models like 77D and T7i). 70D is a generation older, 20MP model (but basically the same sensor is still being used in 7D Mark II model). These are among the most full-featured models... high-end Rebel and the next step up models from that. T6s and T6i are very similar... the "s" has slightly different controls and display, while the "i" uses more traditional top-of-the-Rebel-line layout and design.
You can find cheaper Canon models and bundles... but I'd be a bit careful. T6, T5 etc. (no "i" or "s") are more entry-level models with lower performance AF, older sensor designs, etc. The SL1 (100D outside N. America) is designed to be one of the smallest and lightest DSLRs, but also has very entry-level specifications. When bundled in kit, these cameras are often fitted with more entry-level models of lenses, too... slower & noisier micro-motor focus drive (not faster/quietest STM or fastest/quiet USM), and sometimes even lack image stabilization. Examples of those are the EF-S 18-55 "II" IS, EF-S 55-250mm "II" IS, or the EF 70-300mm "III". If at all possible, I'd recommend stepping up to the 70D/80D, T6i/T6s, as well as the STM or USM lenses they are usually bundled with. Here's a link:
https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras#facet:-810369798332554868,-810369798332564868,-8103697983328210198101108328454115,-8103697983328210198101108328454105,-8103697983328210198101108328453105&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:11&pageView:grid&pageSize:72&Before buying refurbished... be sure to check pricing of the same items new at the major retailers (Adorama, B&H Photo, Amazon.com direct/Prime, Costco, Walmart, etc.) Sometimes sales prices of new or retailer-bundled "bonus" items make buying new a better deal! That happened to me a couple years ago when I was shopping for a pair of 7D Mark II. I was all set to buy a couple refurbished, but when I checked the retailers I found I could actually get a better deal buying new, between some sale prices ("instant rebates") and major items the retailer was including with the cameras, as well as free shipping and other things. In general, refurbished can be a good deal. But sometimes there are even better deals on new, too. Just beware of "fly by night" and "bait and switch" online sellers. There are always a lot of those around. Frankly, be very suspicious of any deal you see that's significantly lower price than what you see at well-established, reputable dealers such as B&H, Adorama, etc. Before you type in your credit card info, search online and ask here or elsewhere for info about any "unknown" online retailers. There are a lot of shysters out there! But there are also some excellent, reputable and reliable retailers.
There are some excellent Nikon cameras and lenses of similar quality and cost. I am less familiar with the specifics of those, but saw that they've also recently begun offering refurbished directly from the Nikon USA website, (though Nikon offers a somewhat reduced warranty, not the the same warranty as new the way Canon does). Check it out... you might find some good deals.
Canon and Nikon have by far the largest systems of lenses and accessories behind their cameras. Canon cameras such as those above can use any of the 125 million + Canon EF or EF-S lens manufactured the last 30 years without any issues. Nikon D3000-series (most entry-level) and D5000-series (more advanced, step up models) are a bit limited in that they require AF-S or AF-P lenses to be able to autofocus (granted, there are now quite a few of those to choose among). Older AF Nikkors and some still being manufactured require at least a D7000-series or higher camera model to be able to autofocus (there also may be some metering limitations). Some of the older Nikon cameras cannot autofocus some of the newer AF-P Nikkors. You won't have any trouble with "kits", but for any additional Nikon lenses be sure to consult a lens compatibility chart first. Nikon USA and some of the Nikon fan sites have compatibility charts online.
In general, seems to me that Nikon cameras and kit lenses can be ever so slightly less expensive than similar specification Canon. But, in general Nikkor lenses and Nikon accessories tend to be more expensive than comparable Canon items. Nikon has greater "backward compatibility" to utilize their own vintage, manual focus lenses from the 1970s through 1990. Vintage Canon FD/FL manual focus lenses are difficult or impossible to adapt for use on modern EOS/EF mount Canon DSLRs. However, those same Canon DSLRs have much great adaptability to utilize other manufacturers' vintage, manual focus lenses (including Nikkors, Pentax, Olympus and more), while Nikon cannot accommodate most other brands. (Note: Sony has the greatest adaptability of all to accommodate other-brand, vintage lenses... especially their "mirrorless" DSLR-like cameras.)
Sony, Pentax and Olympus are all making some great cameras and lenses, too. They all offer somewhat less selection of lenses and accessories than Canon & Nikon. Sony and Pentax offer models with APS-C sensors approx. the same dimensions as Canon and Nikon (in fact, Sony makes many or most sensors used in Nikon and Pentax... Canon makes their own). Olympus are all using somewhat smaller "micro Four/Thirds" size sensors (I don't know the source)... although those are still bigger than and would be a step up from the sensors in most non-interchangeable lens digital cameras, such as your bridge camera. (SX50/SX60 use 1/2.3" sensor, I believe.... which is MUCH smaller than m4/3 or APS-C). I haven't really compared them closely, but in the past it appeared to me that comparable Sony and Pentax lenses tended to be a bit more expensive than either Nikon or Canon. Olympus... I haven't really shopped and don't know.
Canon and Nikon put image stabilization in their lenses. Sony does with a few, too. Sony, Pentax and Olympus put stabilization in their cameras, which can be nice because it will work with virtually any lens, old or new, used on the camera. OTOH, in-lens stabilization can be nice in that it works to stabilize the image in the camera's optical viewfinder, too... sort of like stabilization on binoculars. That can be helpful when trying to track moving subjects with a long telephoto lens.
Third party manufacturers (Sigma, Tokina, Tamron and others) make a variety of lenses and accessories for all the major camera brands, but the emphasis is on things to fit and work with Canon and Nikon. Those can be a lower cost alternative and sometimes are an excellent option. But there can be issues with 3rd party items, such as when trying to use one of their older lenses on a more modern DSLR. There's just no guarantee of compatibility, the way there is more likely to be with the camera manufacturer's own OEM lenses and accessories. (Canon does guarantee full compatibility of their EF L-series lenses on all EOS cameras past, present and future... but they don't officially guarantee it with their non-L-series EF lenses. Even so, they've still managed full compatibility of all EF lenses.)
Hope this helps with your shopping.