Downgrade from an SLR to a Bridge Camera....Which one???

Sal&Syl2020

Sal&Syl2020

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Sally Parker
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Hi, :)

Just need some advice please.

I started taking photos in 2004 with a Panasonic Lumix bridge camera, then upgraded over the years to many different SLRS. But I have now decided to go back to a bridge camera, as I don't really use my camera much anymore and also, I find myself leaving my DSLR at home a lot due to it being pretty heavy and cumbersome to carry about! Also, we could really do with some cash at the moment, so I can't really justify having this kit just sitting around doing nothing.

I do love my current kit (Which consists of a Nikon D7200, Nikon 16-80 and Nikon 70-300 lenses) because of the image quality, low light capabilities etc.. so really would like a bridge camera that takes decent images and also one that obviously has manual settings and a decent optical zoom. Yesterday I just walked by a camera shop and saw in the window, a Panasonic Lumix FZ82, but even after looking at some decent reviews, I'm still not sure if I would be happy with it or not. I'm not expecting to be taking professional looking photos, but want them to still be nice and clear and I really like the idea of a really good zoom without having to change lenses!

My budget is up to around £300, after selling my current kit and wanting to leave some money over for over things.

Also, just wanted to add....I will be wanting to take photos of my dog, who is black and white, so will need something that has pretty good exposure capabilities too and I would also like to be able to take pretty decent videos of her, as well.
 
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Sal&Syl2020 said:
Hi, :)

Just need some advice please.

I started taking photos in 2004 with a Panasonic Lumix bridge camera, then upgraded over the years to many different SLRS. But I have now decided to go back to a bridge camera, as I don't really use my camera much anymore and also, I find myself leaving my DSLR at home a lot due to it being pretty heavy and cumbersome to carry about! Also, we could really do with some cash at the moment, so I can't really justify having this kit just sitting around doing nothing.

I do love my current kit (Which consists of a Nikon D7200, Nikon 16-80 and Nikon 70-300 lenses) because of the image quality, low light capabilities etc.. so really would like a bridge camera that takes decent images and also one that obviously has manual settings and a decent optical zoom. Yesterday I just walked by a camera shop and saw in the window, a Panasonic Lumix FZ82, but even after looking at some decent reviews, I'm still not sure if I would be happy with it or not. I'm not expecting to be taking professional looking photos, but want them to still be nice and clear and I really like the idea of a really good zoom without having to change lenses!

My budget is up to around £300, after selling my current kit and wanting to leave some money over for over things.

Also, just wanted to add....I will be wanting to take photos of my dog, who is black and white, so will need something that has pretty good exposure capabilities too and I would also like to be able to take pretty decent videos of her, as well.
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Would definitely advise looking at the Panasonic FZ1000. While it may be a few years old, it's got a great 1-inch sensor, 4k video etc. I've got the Leica versions and am very happy with it. Also consider the Sony RX10 mark 2
 
Is a 1" bridge or compact a possibility?

Some of these bridge cameras have teeny tiny sensors which I suppose could help the zoom range but a larger sensor could well lead to better image quality but possibly at the cost of a reduced zoom range.

Ah, covered above by the well informed stickytape :D

I think that if going this way I'd at least take a serious look at the 1" options.
 
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I've made my own bridge cameras. :naughty:

First was a Canon 5D with the Sigma 28-300mm, which is just a bit heavier than a real bridge camera. Then a Sony A65 with a Tamron 16-300mm (equivalent to a 24-450mm) and now a Nikon D600 with another Sigma 28-300mm.

I've used a few real bridge cameras and adding a superzoom to large sensor body is definitely more fun!
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
I've made my own bridge cameras. :naughty:

First was a Canon 5D with the Sigma 28-300mm, which is just a bit heavier than a real bridge camera. Then a Sony A65 with a Tamron 16-300mm (equivalent to a 24-450mm) and now a Nikon D600 with another Sigma 28-300mm.

I've used a few real bridge cameras and adding a superzoom to large sensor body is definitely more fun!
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Sounds like fun, indeed! :giggle:
 
stickytape said:
Would definitely advise looking at the Panasonic FZ1000. While it may be a few years old, it's got a great 1-inch sensor, 4k video etc. I've got the Leica versions and am very happy with it. Also consider the Sony RX10 mark 2
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I don't want to get too complicated otherwise I will be spending ALL of my time looking and comparing different cameras! But I have looked into those two you suggested and both sound good, though I will still find it hard to decide between the two! :cautious: I think though, that at the end of the day, it's really a case of trying one out and seeing if I like it and then if I'm not really happy, re-selling it and trying the other/another.

I suppose I will be disappointed though, unless I go for a higher priced camera, after having such a good DSLR and 16-80 lens all this time. But I really do just need something lighter, with no lenses, to carry around, so I'm going to just have to do it! :confused:
 
I am suffering from the same dilemma, having just sold my Sony A7rii through lack of use for similar reasons.
Sony rx10iii or Panasonic FZ2000...
I currently have a Panasonic TZ-100, which has a sensor termed as a 1" sensor. Do I just stick with that and see how I go.
(edit) I also have a DJI pocket 2, and tend to take that out with me, small light, and allows great flexibility in remote shooting options and god video with object tracking and stabilisation.
 
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SFTPhotography said:
I'm wondering if keeping your current body - selling the two lenses and getting one superzoom like a 18-200 thing might be a solution. It won't be that much bulkier than a superzoom and really a lot nicer than a bridge camera
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No, that's not an option as it would still be heavy and cumbersome and I don't really like that all in one lens too much.

Thanks anyway.
 
Just wanted to say, I'm not just interested in Panasonic, I would really like to stick with Nikon, if there is a decent bridge camera made by them, that fits my requirements?

I'm looking into this now, but would appreciate any input.

Thanks.
 
Sal&Syl2020 said:
Just wanted to say, I'm not just interested in Panasonic, I would really like to stick with Nikon, if there is a decent bridge camera made by them, that fits my requirements?

I'm looking into this now, but would appreciate any input.

Thanks.
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IIRC Nikon bridge cameras have been notable for extreme reach lenses, but not image quality, and I think you'll find results from a 1/2.3" sensor 'disappointing'. FWIW I used Nikon for several years, and I'm not at all biased against them. I did have a Fuji bridge camera myself at one point in 2013, but couldn't get shot of it fast enough once I actually saw the image quality.

Now, I'd like to make a different suggestion. Have a look at an Olympus E-M series camera, paired with a 14-140 (28-280mm equivalent) lens. This really won't be much bigger or heavier than a true bridge camera, but will be decent for image quality. A couple of years back we swapped my wife's Pansonic TZ70 for an Olympus E-M10 & pancake 14-42 because it was barely any larger than a compact camera, but the image quality was streets ahead. Prices for Oly kit are sensible too, especially used.


Just seen this thread: https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/aberdare-park-road-races-2021.728714/
 
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If you've come from a DSLR don't waste your money on any of the bridge cameras other than the sony RX10IV, you won't be happy with any of them , I wasn't , hopeless at anything moving
 
Sal&Syl2020 said:
No, that's not an option as it would still be heavy and cumbersome and I don't really like that all in one lens too much.

Thanks anyway.
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Don't BRIDGE camera's usually come with a fixed ALL IN ONE lens :thinking: also as a lighter option to DSLR why not consider a Mirrorless ????

That said your budget would not cover that !

:Les
 
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Lez325 said:
Don't BRIDGE camera's usually come with a fixed ALL IN ONE lens :thinking: also as a lighter option to DSLR why not consider a Mirrorless ????

That said your budget would not cover that !

:Les
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Yes, I just meant I didn't really like that all in one zoom lens, not saying that any lens on a bridge camera would be any better...

No, couldn't afford a mirrorless at this moment.
 
wack61 said:
If you've come from a DSLR don't waste your money on any of the bridge cameras other than the sony RX10IV, you won't be happy with any of them , I wasn't , hopeless at anything moving
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Apart from the Panasonic FZ1000/2000 series… and Leica equivalents...
 
Lez325 said:
Don't BRIDGE camera's usually come with a fixed ALL IN ONE lens :thinking: also as a lighter option to DSLR why not consider a Mirrorless ????

That said your budget would not cover that !

:Les
Click to expand...

If you do not take it out and take photos tge quality does not matter anymore.
 
ancient_mariner said:
IIRC Nikon bridge cameras have been notable for extreme reach lenses, but not image quality, and I think you'll find results from a 1/2.3" sensor 'disappointing'. FWIW I used Nikon for several years, and I'm not at all biased against them. I did have a Fuji bridge camera myself at one point in 2013, but couldn't get shot of it fast enough once I actually saw the image quality.

Now, I'd like to make a different suggestion. Have a look at an Olympus E-M series camera, paired with a 14-140 (28-280mm equivalent) lens. This really won't be much bigger or heavier than a true bridge camera, but will be decent for image quality. A couple of years back we swapped my wife's Pansonic TZ70 for an Olympus E-M10 & pancake 14-42 because it was barely any larger than a compact camera, but the image quality was streets ahead. Prices for Oly kit are sensible too, especially used.


Just seen this thread: https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/aberdare-park-road-races-2021.728714/
Click to expand...

I shoot m4/3 only and my EM-5iii and the 14-42ez is very liberating to carry.
 
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stickytape said:
Apart from the Panasonic FZ1000/2000 series… and Leica equivalents...
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Had the panasonic FZ, awful at anything moving , I've also had a Nikon P900 and a RX10 iii & IV hoping for the holy grail camera, the IV was easily the best, there's a reason it's 3X the price of most bridge cameras
 
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