What is considered a bridge camera? I thought it was a camera the bridge gap between P&S and cameras with fully interchangeable lenses like DSLR and MLIC but it seems that to qualify...

BebuLamar

I thought it was a camera the bridge gap between P&S and cameras with fully interchangeable lenses like DSLR and MLIC but it seems that to qualify as a bridge camera one must have relative long zoom. 10X or more and often a lot more. I think they don't classify something like the Sony RX-1, Panasonic LX-100 as bridge.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

BebuLamar wrote:

I thought it was a camera the bridge gap between P&S and cameras with fully interchangeable lenses like DSLR and MLIC but it seems that to qualify as a bridge camera one must have relative long zoom. 10X or more and often a lot more. I think they don't classify something like the Sony RX-1, Panasonic LX-100 as bridge.

Google is your friend this will answer your question quite well good luck.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

What a not helpful response! If you know, it only takes a moment to respond. If you don't (like me) wait a bit for someone more helpful to come along so that both the OP and I can learn.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

BebuLamar wrote:

I thought it was a camera the bridge gap between P&S and cameras with fully interchangeable lenses like DSLR and MLIC but it seems that to qualify as a bridge camera one must have relative long zoom. 10X or more and often a lot more. I think they don't classify something like the Sony RX-1, Panasonic LX-100 as bridge.

Ha! One of those things we all know instinctively but never went so far as to actually look for a definition. I have always felt it was more than a pocket point and shoot but less than a DSLR.
Here is one discussion: https://digital-photography-school.com/bridge-camera-what-is-it-and-is-it-for-me/

Brokenland

IMO a bridge camera is a camera that looks like a standard size camera body and with a stock sort of lens. However, the lens appears in length to that of a 85mm but can extend beyond that point in other words.. a camera with a built in lens smaller sensor and not very reliable. I've gotten better images from my pocket camera and now my M6. I would avoid these types of cameras as they are trying to "bridge" the gap between the pocket camera and the full size DSLR

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

BebuLamar wrote:

I thought it was a camera the bridge gap between P&S and cameras with fully interchangeable lenses like DSLR and MLIC but it seems that to qualify as a bridge camera one must have relative long zoom. 10X or more and often a lot more. I think they don't classify something like the Sony RX-1, Panasonic LX-100 as bridge.

It can be a short-ish zoom as well. I think to qualify as a bridge camera, it should have a viewfinder - either optical or EVF, have lots of manual control options, and a decent zoom - the RX10m2 was considered a bridge even though it has a 24-200mm lens. It can also be a pocketable camera like the RX100 series, which has a decent EVF and a 24-200 zoom as well. Also, more bridge cameras are able to record raw images.

I think the comment about a bridge camera somehow being a less reliable camera has no merit or basis in reality.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

The very first Sony DSC-R1 with non interchangeable 24-120 zoom which I have is a Bridge camera with a Zeiss lens. This camera lens combo has prob. the best micro contrast of anything I own and has recorded some of the best images I have taken. I have always said this is one of the best buys in the used market as the lens alone is worth the price.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Bokehen wrote:

IMO a bridge camera is a camera that looks like a standard size camera body and with a stock sort of lens. However, the lens appears in length to that of a 85mm but can extend beyond that point in other words.. a camera with a built in lens smaller sensor and not very reliable. I've gotten better images from my pocket camera and now my M6. I would avoid these types of cameras as they are trying to "bridge" the gap between the pocket camera and the full size DSLR

I don't know where you got all that negativity from about bridge cameras but it certainly hasn't been my experience or the experience of friends. Personally I've had a Nikon P100,4.6-120mm (26-678 eq), for about 9 years as a "Look where I've been" camera for trips etc when I don't feel like carrying my full kit. It does a great job and can produce files that can stand printing to 16X20. My son also uses it and neither of us have ever had a problem

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Rich1939 wrote:

Ha! One of those things we all know instinctively but never went so far as to actually look for a definition. I have always felt it was more than a pocket point and shoot but less than a DSLR.
Here is one discussion: https://digital-photography-school.com/bridge-camera-what-is-it-and-is-it-for-me/

While the article says the camera should have the general shape of a small DSLR like my SX50HS, I consider my DMC-ZS100 which is pocketable a bridge camera. It has a larger (1") sensor, an EVF, and a 10X lens. I guess it hasn't been firmly pinned down, or if it has, I haven't been convinced.

Linda S.

Rich1939 wrote:

I don't know where you got all that negativity from about bridge cameras but it certainly hasn't been my experience or the experience of friends. Personally I've had a Nikon P100,4.6-120mm (26-678 eq), for about 9 years as a "Look where I've been" camera for trips etc when I don't feel like carrying my full kit. It does a great job and can produce files that can stand printing to 16X20. My son also uses it and neither of us have ever had a problem

My Canon bridge (GSX or G3X?...It is packed away right now...) is a bridge...24-600 equivalent). I, like Rich 1939, used it for traveling, when I went to Sicily rather than bringing my 5DM4. Amazing camera! Any shortcomings in quality could be fixed in PSE. The only downside was when I pressed on the shutter button, a square area of the photo would pop up so that, I am assuming) I could see if everything was in focus. That I did find strange. Recent trip to Alaska, I did take both cameras. Definitely has a place in my camera bag.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

A Bridge camera is a lookalike DSLR that has a zoom fixed lens. I don't know the minimum focal range. But, I would say at least a 200mm zoom focal range. Some Bridge cameras have a viewfinder, and some do not. Such as my Nikon L840, a 16 megapixels camera,
,with a maximum focal range to 855mm, which does not have a viewfinder. It could very well qualify as a point and shoot Bridge camera. And they can have the tiny 1/2.3" sensor. Or a 1" sensor. The 1" sensors are the better Bridge cameras. A Sony RX10iv is an advanced Bridge camera. IMO.

insman1132 Loc: Southwest Florida

Actually, Bebu, a Bridge camera is, in my opinion, very close to a DSLR in it operation and flexibility, but has a fixed lens. I don't believe you can change the lens on any camera known and sold as a Bridge camera. And, it does not need to have a long reach lens to be a Bridge Camera. Here is a definition and explanation for your convenience : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_camera

Hope this helps.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Gene51 wrote:

It can be a short-ish zoom as well. I think to qua... (show quote)

Amen! While it's on the high price end of the bridge family , the Sony rx10(It's up to version IV), with a zeis 24-600MM lens is outstanding. Much better than the entry level DSLRs. Lens is good front to back.

BebuLamar

insman1132 wrote:

Actually, Bebu, a Bridge camera is, in my opinion, very close to a DSLR in it operation and flexibility, but has a fixed lens. I don't believe you can change the lens on any camera known and sold as a Bridge camera. And, it does not need to have a long reach lens to be a Bridge Camera. Here is a definition and explanation for your convenience : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_camera

Hope this helps.

I read the article and it seems to me that the higher end fixed lens, short or no zoom camera are not bridge camera.
For example the Sony RX1, the Leica Q (typ 116). Those have fixed lens. Have all the controls needed. Just no zoom lens.

BebuLamar

pithydoug wrote:

Amen! While it's on the high price end of the bridge family , the Sony rx10(It's up to version IV), with a zeis 24-600MM lens is outstanding. Much better than the entry level DSLRs. Lens is good front to back.

But is the more expensive RX1 a bridge camera? It has no zoom.