What Is A Bridge Camera

Are you in the marketplace to purchase the all-time bridge camera? Look no further, as we’ve got all the latest models with the best prices right here. For those unsure of what a bridge camera really is – call back of DSLR style treatment, with the advantage of extra long zoom lenses and without the expense or hassle of having to buy, pack and carry multiple optics in your handbag.

Since the best bridge cameras normally pack an array of manual shooting modes, they’re a fantastic culling to DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, especially to those watching the budget. They’re also ideal for those new to photography, those looking for something lite and travel friendly, or those looking to downsize from their bulkier kit. Although we’ve mentioned manual modes, beginners needn’t worry, there’s enough of straightforward automatic options on offer from almost besides.

Having a long zoom lens is a big depict for many, thanks to the versatility such an optic provides. With one, you lot can photo everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant subjects similar wildlife – and of grade everything in between. Because of that, bridge cameras are oftentimes pop for those heading off on a vacation when you need everything to mitt.

Naturally, at that place is a compromise to be made. The nigh important distinction between bridge cameras and DSLRs or mirrorless options is sensor size. Bridge cameras volition have a much smaller sensor, which volition typically take an impact on image quality – particularly in certain situations, such equally low lite. However, the upside is having the equivalent of a bag total of lenses in simply ane small and lite package. Once you’re aware of the differences – and the compromises – then you tin make an informed conclusion nigh what is the right camera for you.

Although bridge cameras are often already excellent value, for those who don’t mind waiting a picayune while, information technology might exist worth property on for Amazon Prime number Day 2021. We’re expecting lots of groovy camera deals, and with some of these bridge camera models at present being a lilliputian older in the market, it could be those which encounter the biggest discounts.

If you’re keen to know more than about what exactly makes a bridge camera, we’ve included lots of detail in the commodity below. However, for at present, let’south accept a look at the best bridge cameras available to buy in 2022.

Best bridge cameras in 2022:

For those looking for a powerful all-in-one solution, you won’t find amend than the  RX10 IV. Featuring a hugely flexible 24-600mm f/two.4-4 zoom lens, the RX10 Iv builds on the RX10 Iii with an overhauled AF system that now does justice to the rest of the camera, while the 1-inch, 20.1MP sensor is capable of achieving splendid levels of detail. It’due south quite bulky for a span camera, and there’s no getting away from the hefty price, but the RX10 IV is about in a league of its own and is perhaps even deserving of a better name than ‘span’.

• Read our in-depth
  Sony Cyber-shot RX10 Iv review

If your upkeep doesn’t quite stretch to RX10 Four levels only yous still desire something top-quality, flexible and with great image quality, the Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 (known as the FZ2500 in the US) is an excellent choice. It uses a 1-inch sensor, and while the zoom tops out at 480mm equivalent, which is relatively brusk for a bridge camera, that’s all the same plenty for all but the most extreme everyday apply. We’d certainly sacrifice a little zoom range for better and faster eyes, and we love the FZ2000 considering it delivers both image quality and zoom range. If yous’re looking for something a bit cheaper, the older FZ1000 (beneath) is also worth a wait, as is its successor, the FZ1000 Ii.

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  Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / FZ2500 review

The Lumix FZ1000’s 16x optical zoom is less than that of typical bridge cameras, merely that’s due to its sizeable ane-inch sensor, which delivers a big boost in paradigm quality. This isn’t merely any old lens, either, but rather a Leica optic with a large f/ii.8 maximum aperture at the wide-bending end, which narrows to a still-respectable f/4 at full zoom. This helps you capture shots in low light without resorting to loftier ISO sensitivities, while the Hybrid v-axis Optical Image Stabilisation minimises photographic camera shake. 4K (Ultra Hard disk, strictly) 3840 ten 2160 video recording, advanced autofocusing, a superb ii,359,000-dot electronic viewfinder and raw shooting all help to brand the FZ1000 one of our top picks. Note that Panasonic replaced the FZ1000 with the FZ1000 Ii this year – but as more of a gentle refresh than consummate rebrand, making the older model the best value right now.

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  Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 review

As is often the instance with Sony, you can make decent savings if you look towards its all-encompassing back-catalogue. In this case, if you can alive without the advanced AF system and other performance advantages offered past the RX10 IV, the RX10 III is still worth a look. The design is pretty much identical to the RX10 IV, and you’ve got the same 24-600mm f/2.four-four lens. What’s the compromise? Well, the AF is a bit pedestrian compared to the latest model, while there’s no touchscreen control or the ability to shoot at an impressive 24fps.

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  Sony Cyber-shot RX10 III review

Canon’s PowerShot SX70 HS is what nosotros’d consider a more conventional span photographic camera than those found in the summit four. That’s because it uses a smaller ane/2.3-inch sensor which gives you the advantage of a ginormous 65x optical zoom range. You yet get full transmission control, along with other cracking features such equally an fully articulated screen (it lacks impact sensitivity though), a decent electronic viewfinder and the ability to shoot in raw format. In-built Wi-Fi and NFC is another bonus. This is a archetype all-rounder which would suit those looking for something relatively small and light for trips such as safaris, where that big zoom comes into its ain. A bugbear is having to actuate the viewfinder manually since at that place’south no sensor, but otherwise it’s a solid performer. Image quality is very good, with the image stabilization system doing a good job of keeping captures even at the farthermost end of the telephoto lens abrupt. Shooting at the wide-angle and low-light are not this photographic camera’s forte, but in that location’due south skillful autofocus performance and speedy operation to compensate.

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  Canon PowerShot SX70 HS review

The Lumix FZ80 (known equally the Lumix FZ82 exterior the United states) might be one of the most affordable span cameras here, but it still packs quite a punch. The zoom range is very impressive, going from an ultra-broad 20mm through to a staggering 1200mm, and benefits from an effective epitome stabilization system. There’s also 4K recording with Panasonic’s 4K Photo, which can shoot 8MP images at 30fps, meaning you should never miss that separate-second moment. It’s also very easy to use, with an intuitive touchscreen. The viewfinder could be better (and in that location’s no centre sensor to automatically switch between the viewfinder and rear screen), while high-ISO functioning can’t match that of larger-sensor (and more than expensive) rivals. That said, this is ane of the best budget span cameras around.

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  Panasonic Lumix FZ80 / FZ82 review

Information technology doesn’t quite accept the Nikon P1000’due south ludicrous 125x optical zoom range, but the P950’s 83x zoom is more than than enough for virtually people in nigh situations. If yous like to mainly shoot landscapes or wildlife on your travels, information technology remains a good contender, particularly if you’re coming from some other Nikon camera. The 3 big improvements over the P900 are back up for Raw shooting (for greater flexibility when editing images), 4K video resolution, and a much-improved electronic viewfinder. Collectively, these arrive more convenient and versatile than its predecessor, though it is also worth looking out for deals on the Nikon P900. Nosotros’d like to have seen a touchscreen added besides, but the P950 remains a good option if zoom is your chief priority.

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  Nikon Coolpix P950 review

The Coolpix P1000 is the follow-upwards to the P900 and stretches what nosotros’ve come to await from superzoom cameras that bit further. The reason is the lens, with the P1000 packing in a massive 125x optical zoom range equivalent to 24-3000mm in 35mm terms, it has the potential to abode in on the most afar subjects you’d realistically want to capture, exist information technology wild fauna or the Moon. If yous absolutely need a camera with a 3000mm-equivalent lens, the fact that the P1000 is alone in offering this makes your conclusion easy. With a huge body, less-than-reliable autofocus, a sub-standard LCD and operational strifes, however, its entreatment for anything else is more than limited.

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  Nikon Coolpix P1000 review

Sony’s superzoom span photographic camera is closely matched with the Panasonic FZ82, and is available at a peachy price attributable to its age. The downsides when compared to the FZ82 include JPEG-only image capture and a bottom zoom range, but if you can live with both information technology’due south a cracking budget option. The HX400V claws dorsum some ground by offering Wi-Fi, while it’south also pleasure to use thanks to its ergonomic design, and the tilting screen is dainty touch, although information technology isn’t fully articulating. More disappointing is the relatively depression-resolution electronic viewfinder. Although in that location’south no raw support, JPEG images take groovy colors and enough of item. Some image smoothing is visible when images are viewed at 100%, but that’due south a common trait amid small-sensor span cameras.

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  Sony Cyber-shot HX400V review

If your principal concern is the state of your finances, here’s a quick await at a great value selection from Panasonic. It was launched dorsum in 2015, then it’s a fair former age now, but that just makes the FZ300 (known as the Lumix FZ330) exterior the US an even better deal. With a 25-600mm zoom lens, what’south really impressive is an f/2.eight constant aperture throughout the range, which is specially useful at the longer end of the zoom range. Top that off with a splash-resistant body, a vari-angle touchscreen and a decent electronic viewfinder and you’ve got all the makings of a great all-rounder. Impressively for an older model, it even shoots 4K, too.

• Read our in-depth
  Panasonic Lumix FZ300 / FZ330 review

What is a bridge camera?

For those wondering where span cameras become their name – information technology’southward considering they are said to ‘bridge’ the gap between unproblematic point-and-shoot models (or your phone) and more than advanced DSLR blazon models.

Bridge cameras tend to take smaller sensors than DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, but the other main difference is that the lens is stock-still to the body, so yous can’t remove information technology for a more than specialized optic or ane with a wider aperture. While the lenses on a bridge camera are extremely flexible, you can’t adhere something similar a macro lens for extreme close-ups or an f/1.four lens for shooting in low-light.

Information technology’due south not quite as straightforward every bit that anymore, equally some bridge cameras are advanced and sophisticated themselves. Sensor sizes – although all the same smaller than a DSLR / mirrorless, accept increased in size over the years too, with many at present sporting a i-inch sensor which is much larger than that in an average smartphone.

If you’re just starting out in photography, span cameras can exist the ideal place to start. You get a lot for your money and information technology’s the ideal way to learn near different shooting modes and settings, without necessarily spending a huge corporeality of money.

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