regularguy55

The Panasonic LUMIX FZ1000 is a great bridge camera with remarkable 400mm zoom on a 1” sensor and is under $500 at B&H Camera that I use for travel all the time. The FZ300 model has a little more zoom but with a much smaller sensor but it is weather sealed and is also within your budget. The Canon G7XMKII or G9XMKII are also great smaller P&S travel cameras but not as much zoom as the LUMIXs and in your budget. Large field out there. Personally like the versatility and features Panasonic with Leica lens offer in your budget. Good luck.

JayMurter

Thank you. Your answer is very helpful.

JayMurter

Thanks a lot. I'll look into these.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Yes, any version of the RX100 would be a good choice. Only the RX100m2 has a hot shoe in this line of Sony cameras. However, each version improves on the last version. Knowing what you want the camera to do will help you making your choice.

davidb1879

Re: Jay Murter. I think you should choose a used Nikon d3300 on ebay but make sure that the seller accepts returns. The d3300 has an excellent crop sensor. As to a super zoom lens, consider the tamron 150-600mm lens. These bring you over your budget, but paypal permits monthly payments. For wildlife photography, this package will insure superior results. Davidb1879.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

WELCOME TO UHH!

If you are happy with the SX20, how about its successor, the SX60HS ($449 new) or the SX70HS ($549 new), just released? You can compare the two here:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/compare/Canon_SX70_HS_vs_Canon_SX60_HS/BHitems/1435399-REG_1080919-REG

I noticed they upped the MP, dropped the hot shoe in the 70 and made other changes.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

There's not a whole lot of choice of interchangeable lens cameras within that limited budget.

The D5300 would be a significant "step up" in many ways, from your Canon point-n-shoot "super zoom".

One problem is that the D5300 two lens kit (which is within your budget) comes with the AF-P 18-55mm DX "VR" and AF-P 70-300mm DX lenses. This is backwards... the telephoto lens would benefit from VR image stabilization much more than the shorter focal length zoom does. No doubt, Nikon does this to keep the cost down. There's a VR version of that 70-300mm lens, too... but it costs about $50 more and they don't offer it in kit with the cameras. (Buying the with only the 18-55mm and the better VR lens separately is possible, but ends up costing a great deal more... around $1000!)

Another possible problem is that the Nikon D3000-series and D5000-series cameras don't have the in-camera focusing motor, so only the AF-S and AF-P lenses will autofocus on them (some of the earlier models also are not fully compatible with AF-P lenses). You have to step up farther to the D7000-series and higher models to be able to autofocus Nikkor AF lenses, which don't have a focusing motor built into the lens itself and rely upon one that's in the camera body instead. Mostly those are older lenses, but some are still in production (such as the Nikkor 200mm f/4 micro and the Tokina 100mm f/2.8 macro lenses.) This may or may not matter to you, for your purposes.

Canon actually does something similar to Nikon with their most entry-level kits. Canon often includes an EF 75-300mm "III" lens with them, which lacks stabilization, has slower "micro motor" focus drive and simply doesn't have very good image quality at the 300mm end. I recommend avoiding the EF 75-300 III.

However some Canon DSLRs can instead be purchased in two-lens kits with the EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lens, which is much better in almost all respects. The older Rebel T6 (18MP, EOS 1300D outside N. America) is currently being offered with EF-S 18-55mm IS STM and EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lenses for $549. This is a very entry-level model, using a 1 generation older sensor and a 2 or 3 generation older image processor.... and lacking a lot of features found on the "step up" models.

The newer and much improved Canon Rebel SL2 (EOS 200D) uses the same simple AF system as the T6, but has many other features and would be a nice travel camera because it's the smallest/lightest DSLR on the market (even lighter than some mirrorless cameras). But it's over your budget in two-lens kit: $749 with EF-S 18-55 IS STM and EF-S 55-250 IS STM.

Older and not as compact, but also a much more full featured than the T6, the Canon Rebel T6i (EOS 750D) is being offered with the same lenses for $749 too. This model has a more advanced AF system than the SL2 or T6.

You also might want to consider some of the mirrorless models, which can be quite compact and nice for travel. Some two-lens kits offered among those include:

Canon M100 with EF-M 15-45mm IS STM and EF-M 55-200mm IS STM lenses... $679. This camera uses the same 24MP APS-C sensor as the SL2 and T6i mentioned above. Note that the M100 doesn't have a built-in viewfinder. You have to use the LCD screen on the rear of the camera to compose images.

Some of least expensive mirrorless with a built-in viewfinder include:

Panasonic Lumix GX85 with G Vario 12-32mm and G Vario 45-150mm lenses is under $500. This camera uses a smaller micro 4/3 format sensor and has lower 16MP resolution. It has in-camera stabilization, instead of in the lenses.

Sony a6000 with E-mount 16-50mm OSS and E-mount 55-210mm OSS lenses is selling for $748. This 24MP, APS-C camera.

Olympus E-M10 is $748 with Zuiko 14-42mm EZ and Zuiko 40-150mm R lenses. Like the Lumix above, this is a 16MP micro 4/3 camera and uses in-camera stabilization.

Canon M50 with EF-S 15-45 IS STM and EF-S 55-200 IS STM lenses currently sells for $879. This is one of Canon's newest models. I think I read that in 2018 it was the #1 selling mirrorless camera in Japan.

Fujifilm's X-T00 is their most entry-level model, 24MP APS-C format, with in-camera stabilization and offered in kit with XC 15-45mm and XC 50-235mm lenses for $998.

Have fun shopping!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Canon RP with RF 24-240mm Lens.
Does it all and has a FF sensor to boot.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Jay,

If you click "Quote Reply", we will know who you are addressing.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

What part of "$600 budget" don't you understand?

The RP doesn't even exist yet... strong rumors say it's going to be announced tomorrow. Who knows when it will actually be in stores. The same rumors say it will cost $1299 US, which is a bargain for a full frame mirrorless camera... but a whole lot more than the OP's budget.

Plus there's no such thing as an RF 24-240mm lens yet, either... It too is expected to be announced this week and will show up in stores eventually. I haven't seen any predictions of what it will cost, but it will probably be a whole lot more than the OPS's budget.

An EOS RP and RF 24-240mm are also going to be a lot larger and heavier than the OP's bridge camera, the APS-C or micro 4/3 mirrorless, or even than some of the APS-C DSLRs mentioned above.

bananadan

Check out Panasonic Lumix FZ1000. While this is not a pro camera in that it has a non-detachable zoom lens, it has pretty amazing optics with an astounding zoom range, and esxcellent sensor resolution. Obviously this is not a substitute for the range of full-frame DSLR and mirrorless cameras most favored by this forum, but you do not seem to be looking for a top-end device, but rather a machine that can versatilely cover your needs. The optics by Leica are a great plus. I am not trolling for Panasonic, but have owned a number of their cameras including a FZ-200, the precursor of the current model. Here is a link to Amazon listing, but I am not endorsing or recommending them as a source. Rather this is a way to see the specs and features of this camera: https://www.amazon.com/PANASONIC-Vario-ELMARIT-Megapixels-Sensitivity-DMC-FZ1000/dp/B00KOUIBZW/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=fz1000&qid=1550116009&s=gateway&sr=8-2

jrw_mdus Loc: Elk River Basin, Cecil County MD, USA

I use an sx60, my 4th sx series camera. sx70 more $ not much more camera
take mostly birds, sunsets and ships. Just sold a ship pic to the discovery channel.

Silverman Loc: Michigan

Are you considering a DSLR Camera ( change Lens.) or a Bridge Camera (built in Zoom Lens.)? If a DSLR, the D5600 is a good choice, with possibly 2 Prime lens ( Fixed Aperture), a 24mm 1.8 & 50mm 1.8, or possibly a Zoom lens like the 18-140mm 3.5-5.6 aperture, or the 18-200 or 18-300 lens (heavier). If A Bridge Camera, get a Quality ( more expensive) one, to have the features you will desire. Not sure your Budget of $600.00 will meet your needs, may have to increase it, unless you buy USED or REFURBISHED Gear.
I have a Nikon D3300, bought used, works great, included the Nikon 18-55 kit lens, cost was $375.00, 2-3 years ago.

Kites

I have just the camera for you. A Nikon D5500 with a 55 to 300mm lens plus a padded holster bag. It is a light weight setup that all fits into the holster which can be hung on your belt or over the shoulder. It comes with battery & charger, and shutter release. $590.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Many of the suggestions have zoom lenses with LESS range than OP now has. OP wanted MORE. I doubt he will be able to satisfy that requirement with a DSLR and stay anywhere close to his price range. Once again, the Canon SX60HS or SX70HS do meet both.