In the world of photography, there are wide range of products/technology encountering in today’s’ date. We often get confused between what to buy to make it suit best to our work. Same occurs with “Bridge Camera.” People especially beginners want to go for “bridge camera,” but they don’t know which one and why to buy that particular one. So, here we are with a brief explanation and Buying Guide of Bridge Camera.
⇒ What is bridge camera?
Bridge cameras are the one which maintains the clink between “Single reflex lenses/Digital Single reflex lenses and points shoot camera.” Simply it is like bridging the gaps of two entirely different cameras. The particular term is marketing term like a bridge from “point and shoot to DSLR’s.” Earlier Bridge cameras were taken as film cameras as they are way too good in videography. These are mostly known as super zoomer and Ultra Zoomers as they have a long range of zoom lens. Moreover, they have some proportions of manual controls and electrical viewfinder which we only see in DSLR’s.
Bridge Cameras have small image sensors. They allow lenses to get smaller, so in the result, they carry very large zoom ranges like from wide-angle to telephoto, including Macro too and all are attainable with one lens. It is observed that a typical Bridge Cam has a telephoto zoom level of 400mm and over. Perhaps, some Cameras reached the limit of 2000mm.
⇒ How is it different from DSLR?
- DSLR’s are expensive whereas Bridge cameras are less expensive.
- Optical Sensor of DSLR is better than any camera.
- Lenses are interchangeable in DSLR whereas you cannot detach lenses in Bridge camera.
- DSLR’s have more zoom and macro capabilities than Bridge camera.
- DSLR’s are heavy and typical to carry around than Bridge camera. As in Bridge Cam, you need not carry extra lenses, etc.
- You need extra knowledge to use DSLR efficiently while Bridge camera has fantastic Auto settings to function.
- DSLR can manage pictures in any light, but Bridge cameras are worse in low light setting.
VERDICT
Bridge Cameras are the package of image options in less budget. If you don’t want to play with options, they’ve got one Auto setting which is just like point and shoot. Overall, the product is right to pick, and if you love playing with options, then it has got limitations too as not all bridge cameras give full access. If you don’t want to roam around with lots of gears and all, and even want good quality pictures, this variety is best to lug with.
Why you should buy Bridge Camera?
1. SIZE AND SHAPE
Bridge cameras are unique in themselves. Similar to DSLRs. If you’re using point and shoot, there comes a time where you find them fiddly, and DSLR are heavy and too many gears to carry with it. Here Bridge camera fits perfect, as they are not very heavy, quite comfortable to carry. You can easily cover up to the grip of the device and buttons are too decent to use.
2. THE LENSES
This is main reason people go for the Bridge camera. The big wide zooming range lenses. In reality, people don’t need many wide and huge lenses like 500mm and 1000mm up until they are not capturing any sports action or wild life. Its undetachable lenses are sufficient to capture any picture. They can be complicated a little with the motion picture, but over all, they are adequate to provide with any good picture. Withal, It is a good one for the people especially who love traveling and don’t want to play with settings.
3. THE EVF
The electronic viewfinder is pretty essential for many, especially those whose sight is failing and unable to make enough to close range and see LCD screen. The LCD screen is difficult to see in bright light conditions. The people who don’t prefer messing on with options Bridge cameras are best as the viewfinder is the norm and electronic one.
THINGS WHICH CAN TURNOUT UNSATISFACTORY IN BRIDGE CAMERAS
1. IMAGE
If we go after every type of image clicking, the bridge camera is not the one. Motion pictures require big sensors and faster lenses which low range bridge cameras don’t have in them. If the camera is shaken or the clicking object is in the motion picture, can get blur. Otherwise, image quality is excellent.
2. SPEED
Bridge cameras are not for any high-speed sporting fun or anything which in rapid motion. Despite containing the long zoom lenses, they are not ideally fast as AF is slow. The EVF possibly may not refresh quickly. The large sensors do not provide you the good scope of cropping in edits, especially with latest high-resolution models.
Best Bridge Cameras 2017
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 / FZ2500
The product is leading most in the range of bridge cameras and looks much similar to DSLRs. It has the 20x optical zoom lens with the wide aperture of f/2.8 which signifies that more light can reach the sensor, which makes the product astonishing as it can work in low lights. Usually, bridge Cam is weak in low lightings. The camera has most comfortable grip and distinctly touch-sensitive screen and big, bright view finder that you can easily see in bright light too. Total control over shooting modes is provided. The image quality is breathtaking. The product is expensive in the range of bridge camera but cheaper than DSLRs but equivalent lenses.
FEATURES
- Built in wifi for image sharing
- 1 inch 20.1 MP CMOS image sensor
- Multi-angle 3.0″ 1.04m-dot LCD touchscreen
- 2.36m-dot electronic viewfinder
- ND filter controls for the lens
- ISO 125 to 12,800-equivalent range
- Expandable to ISO 80 to 25,600-equivalents
- 4K post-focus and internal focus stacking modes
- 20X LEICA VARIO-ELMART F2.8-4.5 lens covering a covers a 24-480mm equivalent focal-length range
- 5-axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ to control the effects of camera shake
- 50fps continuous shooting with electronic shutter / 12fps with mechanical shutter
- Records MP4 and MOV at to 200Mbps
- Built-in WiFi for image sharing a remote control
Pros | Cons |
√ Prominent Image stabilisation | ⊗ Bulky in size |
√ Marvellous color rendering | ⊗ Unable to edit image in Lightroom |
√ Excellent focusing capabilities | ⊗ 20x lens doesn’t consistently |
√ Tilting touch sensitive screen | |
√ Built in wifi |
Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
It is a top-end bridge camera with 16x optical zoom which is less. Despite this, the product never fails to give fantastic image quality. The product has Lecia optic with a large f/2.8 at extreme, wide aperture angle. It is easy to capture images in low lights with FZ1000 without resorting it to high ISO. The product even renders the optical image stabilization with amazing auto focusing techniques. The product marked among best, that too from Panasonic again.
FEATURES
- 20.1 megapixel Live MOS 1inch sensor
- 16x optical zoom Leica lens
- 2,359k dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF)
- 12fps continuous shooting
- 4K video recording, 5-axis image stabilization
- 1/4000s mechanical shutter
- 1/16000s electronic shutter
- Auto focus down to -4EV
- 49 focus points
- Dual-axis electronic level
- Time-lapse video creation
- Stop motion
- Built in Wi-Fi
Pros | Cons |
√ Amazing lens performance | ⊗ Bulky in size |
√ Marvelous color rendering | ⊗ Touch screen problem |
√ Excellent focusing capabilities | ⊗ Some vignetting when shooting wide-angle |
√ Built in wifi |
Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
The product is 16.0 MP superzoom camera with 6.17 x 4.55mm sized BSI-CMOS sensor. The massive zoom range of the product will let you feel like spot very tiny and far away things with clarity. The exceptional wide angle capacity added as one of its unique features. It has got 21mm focal length on the wide end, and outstanding telephoto reaches 1365mm. The better part of the product is, it has a Contrast detection autofocusing system and 9 AF points to shoot. You can continuously shoot at the max speed of 6.4 fps and even has the shutter speed of 1/2000 sec. The product facilitates external flash mount too with built-in-flash.
FEATURES
- 16MP – 1/2.3 BSI-CMOS Sensor
- 21-1365 mm F3.4 – F6.5 Zoom Lens
- ISO 100 – 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video resolution
- 6.4 fps continuous shooting
- 922k dot Electronic Viewfinder
- Optical Image Stabilization
- External Microphone Port
- RAW Shooting
- Remote control with a smartphone
- Selfie Friendly LCD Screen
- Face Detection Focusing
- NFC Connectivity
- 3″ Fully Articulated Screen
- Built-in Wireless
- 650g. 128 x 93 x 114 mm
Pros | Cons |
√ Market leading 65x zoom range | ⊗ Heavy body |
√ Flexible zoom range | ⊗ No Touch screen |
√ Good handling | ⊗ NO SLO-MO modes |
√ Long Battery Life (340 shots) | ⊗ Lacks EVF eye sensor |
√ Amazing shooting mods facility | ⊗ Costly |
Sony RX10 III
The model is for professionals who love top quality videography and seek for high-quality pictures after zooming it whole. It is a zealous-oriented bridge camera with 25x optical like 24-600mm equivalent F2.4-4 lens and 20MP with the stacked CMOS sensor. It tenders dynamic range and high ISO performance and high-speed video capture modes. The product has been designed keeping for both video and still shooting. The forte of the product lies in its massive zoom lens. Sony has tweaked the design to threefold increase in zoom. Overall, the gear is heavy to use and costly enough for beginners.
FEATURES
- 20MP 1″-type stacked CMOS sensor
- 24-600mm equivalent F2.4-4 Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens
- Ultra slow-motion video capture
- Tilting screen and high-resolution OLED
- Electronic viewfinder with 2.35m dots
- 4K video capture
- Bionz X processor
- Wifi
Pros | Cons |
√ Market leading 65x zoom range | ⊗ Heavy body |
√ Flexible zoom range | ⊗ No Touch screen |
√ Good handling | ⊗ NO SLO-MO modes |
√ Long Battery Life (340 shots) | ⊗ Lacks EVF eye sensor |
√ Amazing shooting modes facility | ⊗ Costly |
Nikon Coolpix P900
This time Nikon got it latest with 83x optical zoom, in which current market is leading. Relatively, it offers you equivalent 24-200mm in 35mm. Adding on, it has dynamic fine zoom, which is like digital zoom and can increase this up to 166x 0r 400mm equivalent. The maximum aperture it has f/2.8 at the widest point of the lens, hiking it to f/6.5 at last reach. The P900 got 1/2.3 inch 16 million pixels back-illuminated CMOS sensor. The camera requires a decent optical image stabilization system for extreme zooms to decrease the blurring of the picture, for that Nikon added a Dual detect optical VR system which gives 5 stop advantages. Besides all this, P900 facilitates with 921k dot articulating screen, an electronic viewfinder, and built-in Wi-Fi, GPS, etc.
FEATURES
- 16MP – 1/2.3″ CMOS Sensor
- ISO 100 – 6400( expands to 12800)
- 24-2000 mm F2.8 – F6.5 Zoom Lens
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video resolution
- 3″ Fully Articulated Screen
- 921k dot Electronic Viewfinder
- 7.0 fps continuous shooting
- Built-in Wireless
Pros | Cons |
√ Great value for the price | ⊗ Mediocre battery life |
√ Decent image even at low Iso | ⊗ No Touch screen |
√ Good handling | ⊗ No External Flash shoe |
√ Decent 7fps burst mode | ⊗ Lacks Raw file support |
√ Class leading zoom range | |
√ Built in wi-fi, GPS, etc. |
Nikon Coolpix B700
B700 is bridge camera with 20.3 megapixels back-illuminated CMOS sensor with an optical zoom of 60x. The digital zoom can be upgraded to 120x. It has an incredible range of shooting modes, including manual control. Moreover, it can shoot in the Raw format which is not possible in P900. As the technology is getting developed many cameras are getting featured with SnapBridge technology, B700 is one of them. This feature allows you to maintain a link via Bluetooth between your smartphone to send quick clicks. Furthermore, comes the 3.0-inch tilting screen and inbuilt WI-FI and 4k video recordings as bridge camera got the specialty in videography.
FEATURES
- 20 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor
- ISO100 to ISO3200
- 60x optical zoom lens, f/3.3-6.5, equivalent to 24-1440mm
- Dual detect Optical Vibration Reduction (VR), 5-stops
- 3inch vari-angle screen
- 10fps continuous shooting (only five shots)
- Electronic ViewFinder (EVF), with 921k dots
- 4K (UHD), 30p video recording
- 1cm macro focus
- Raw shooting
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
Pros | Cons |
√ Great value for the price | ⊗ Heavy body |
√ Long battery life | ⊗ No Touch screen |
√ 1/4000 sec High shutter speed | ⊗ No External Flash shoe |
√ Decent 7fps burst mode | ⊗ Max sensitivity ISO 3.200 |
√ Timelapse Recording | |
√ Built in wi-fi, GPS, etc. |
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX400V
The most versatile Sony bridge camera is packed with extraordinary features. Approved best for macro photography and traveling. The lens has the minimum focusing distance of 1 cm, and for the distance, it has 50x optical zoom. The optical image stabilisation keeps the image sharp and beautiful as much as possible. It can even record upto 10 Fps. Moreover, it has two auto modes one which reduces noise and corrects the scene characteristics. It has the full range of manual control and picture effects which we can apply during shots. Adding on it does not fail to include GPS, wifi for geotags system. It even allows recording videos using PSAM modes to control the aperture and shutter-speed.
FEATURES
- 20.4 megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor
- 50x optical zoom lens
- Optical image stabilization
- 3.0 inch 921,600 dot LCD screen
- Electronic viewfinder (EVF)
- Full 1080p HD video recording
- ISO 80-12800
- 1cm minimum focusing distance
- Intelligent Sweep Panorama mode
- 10 fps continuous shooting
- Wi-Fi & GPS
Pros | Cons |
√ Great value for the price | ⊗ Heavy body |
√ 1200mm good telephoto shoot lens | ⊗ No Touch screen |
√ 1/4000 sec High shutter speed | ⊗ No External Flash shoe |
√ 10.0fps fast continuous shooting | ⊗ No face detection |
√ Panorama shooting | |
√ Built in wi-fi, GPS, etc. |
Conclusion
Bridge camera, however, offers you a lot of your money if we compare to DSLR. Above are some best bridge cameras which offer you best photography from beginer to expert whether you’re traveling or fond of potraits or street photography or wildlife or telephoto shot. Bridge camera offers you a lot more features in one gadget and gives you the quality pictures and videos in competition to DSLRs. Despite, it has the range of cameras with large sensors, but they are mirrorless, so we need to choose wisely according to our demands and requirements.