The bridge camera thread

[lawrenceots]

Well, shall we have one? The current crop of bridges give the DSLTs a genuine run for their money! So let's all get involved and have a chat and post some pics!

 

[Snapsh0t]

Lawrence, as you know, we have an established thread for the RX10 III. Why not see if dibbly dobbler is amenable to having that thread renamed so we don't lose the momentum it's gained?

 

[Nod]

I have a Nikon P900 bridge camera and barely use it. In terms of IQ, handling, in fact anything other than convenience (which includes weight and portability of a huge focal length range), any DSLR or CSC I have used knocks it into a cocked hat. So much so that I don't even use it for the purpose I originally bought it - holidays, taking a Fuji kit instead.

 

[lawrenceots]

Good point snap shot, I'll post now and ask...

 

[odd jim]

Well, shall we have one? The current crop of bridges give the DSLTs a genuine run for their money! So let's all get involved and have a chat and post some pics!

Other than the RX10, I've not seen any decent bridge cameras? Most are the trailing in the IQ front by high end compacts, such as the RX100 and Canons g series.

 

[lawrenceots]

@jim - the Panasonic FZ1000 is the only one I can personally recommend; I've got a number in my collection; FZ200, Leica V lux 1 and Powershot pro 1 and this FZ1000 does give my 700D a run for its money

 

[odd jim]

@jim - the Panasonic FZ1000 is the only one I can personally recommend; I've got a number in my collection; FZ200, Leica V lux 1 and Powershot pro 1 and this FZ1000 does give my 700D a run for its money

Then you're doing something wrong with the 700d! (especially with a decent lens...)

 

[lawrenceots]

Well Jim, I’v got the 700D and 100-400. I’ve got some fanatsaci images, but after a quick pop out round the local parks, I got the below. The godlcrest image is heavily cropped and was at 1200 ISO - I’m the first to admit the low ish quality due to heavy crop - but to me , that whats I’d expect of the 700D - plus the AF of this is a lot faster for static subject - and at first glance - tentatively suggested here! - it appears ike t might be better at locking on to birds in flight and motion.. I think the detail in the pigeon is incredible... on my Retina Macbook the detail really pop out.

 

[lawrenceots]

I have a Nikon P900 bridge camera and barely use it. In terms of IQ, handling, in fact anything other than convenience (which includes weight and portability of a huge focal length range), any DSLR or CSC I have used knocks it into a cocked hat. So much so that I don't even use it for the purpose I originally bought it - holidays, taking a Fuji kit instead.

I think the main problem here is the sensor size of the P900, and the fact it is just a JPEG shooter. The Panasonic and Sony appear to receive rave reviews thanks to the large sensor and more economical zoom, a thing I second. Ive got a small sensor bridge, the FZ200. Its certainly not bada, but again, not a patch on the FZ1000 in terms of speed, and quality at all ISO ranges.

 

[odd jim]

Well Jim, I’v got the 700D and 100-400. I’ve got some fanatsaci images, but after a quick pop out round the local parks, I got the below. The godlcrest image is heavily cropped and was at 1200 ISO - I’m the first to admit the low ish quality due to heavy crop - but to me , that whats I’d expect of the 700D - plus the AF of this is a lot faster for static subject - and at first glance - tentatively suggested here! - it appears ike t might be better at locking on to birds in flight and motion.. I think the detail in the pigeon is incredible... on my Retina Macbook the detail really pop out. View attachment 71931 View attachment 71931 View attachment 71932View attachment 71933

I'm not criticising the merits of the camera, I know they punch above their weight, but I'd be surprised if any bridge could compete with the 700d and fast zoom / primes.

 

[lawrenceots]

Sure, I do have to give it a proper go versus my regular, but initially its definitely very suitable for what I need, I think.

 

[badlywornroy]

I have a Panasonic FZ1000 previously owned a Sony RX10 mk1.

Here are a couple taken with the FZ1000.

 

[lawrenceots]

Nice shots! Quick question - is there quite a loud "operating noise" hard to describe but like a constant worring hum with your FZ1000? There is with mine and it's quite peculiar!

 

[frod]

It's more about being 'good enough', I think. We've been in a cycle of near inconsequential upgrades to DSLRs for years now, with only specialist requirements really getting any significant improvement; it shouldn't be a surprise that the compacts and bridge cameras are now more than good enough.

 

[Snapsh0t]

No, it's essentially silent apart from focus lock beep and shutter click.

The first two versions of the RX10 have a slight whir (as does my Fuji X30) but the RX10 III is silent. It's either the fly-by-wire focussing mechanism or the IS.

 

[Snapsh0t]

Other than the RX10, I've not seen any decent bridge cameras? Most are the trailing in the IQ front by high end compacts, such as the RX100 and Canons g series.

As mentioned, the FX1000 which has the same sensor as the origianl RX10 plus, possibly later this year, the Nikon DL range which may or may not have the same sensor.
As there's a well-established thread for the RX10 III, I was trying to avoid thread proliferation by having that turned into the general-purpose thread.