To Bridge or not to bridge ... that is the question!

[magpieant]

Okay, let me give a little bit of background first. I currently own two DSLR’s .... a Canon 5dMk2 and a 7D. I’m aware both are older cameras, but both continue to serve me well (the 5dMk2 for general use and the 7D fo wildlife and aviation as it allows me a slight extra reach and better Fps).

So, my question is this, I’m off on a big road trip around the USA this year and am contemplating a bridge camera - solely for size and convenience when carrying.

Budget wise ... it’s tight. I’m thinking second hand and could probably stretch to £150 as an absolute max!

Is there anything out there that would be able to compete (or beat) the quality of image I’m going to get from the 5dMk2? I’m tempted by the ‘super zooms’ in that it certainly beats carrying the 2 lenses I usually travel with (24-105 f/4L and 70-200 f/4L).

My dilemma is would I be better off keeping my current kit (and even spending my budget on buying extra luggage on the plane (keep camera in hand luggage obviously!!) or buying a cheaper type bridge?

For the record, I’ll be spending a bit of time exploring canyons, so low light capability is quite important too.

Any help gratefully received.

Many thanks.

Anth.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

It all depends on how obsessed you are with "technical quality", doesn't it? I use a Panasonic TZ70 and a Sony HX90 as pocket cameras. They both run an equivalent range of 24 to 720mm and are very pocketable. For my needs they're just fine and you should be able to find either within your budget (Cameraworld have at least 2 Pannies at less than £130 at the moment)

Here's some samples from the TZ70 as a guide...

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

Also: some shots from the Sony HX90...

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

There are also lots of the larger bridge cameras out there secondhand. Some are at ridiculous prices like the Fuji SL300 I bought from a charity shop for £5! (OK I had to add a battery and charger which brought the price up to £15). Here are some shots from that...

 

[Dave Canon]

A few years ago, I also used a 5D2 but decided to add a Bridge Camera (Lumix FZ200) to use when the weight was an issue. One of the first occasions I took the bridge camera, I was in my car so had all the Canon kit as well. I started to photograph some distance birds and initially was pleased with the fact that I was able to almost fill the screen when the Bridge camera was zoomed to 600mm. I also captured some identical shots with my 5D2 and a 70-200mm f2.8 IS. On return I was staggered to find how much better the images were from the Canon. Despite having to crop the canon shots, the quality was much better. This has resulted in me only occasionally using the Lumix now but given the sensor area is 30 times smaller, the difference is not surprising. I will replace it some time with a mirrorless system but I await further developments. My 5D2 is now a 5D4 so the difference is now even greater. I am planning to use my Lumix on a trip to London next weekend as it will not be feasible for me to take the Canon kit. I had to familiarise my self again as it is 2 years since I last used it. The Lumix does have some good points as I think the 25mm-600mm f2.8 lens is excellent, it also records in Raw and it is easy to capture bracketed exposures which can compensate for the low dynamic range. However, my advice is that you at least choose a bridge camera with a larger sensor than the FZ200 as it is not good at low light either. I can see your dilemma but if I had to take one of the DSLR's only, I would take the 5D2 particularly for the canyons. Not much help I realise but the 5D4 is like the 5D2 and 7D combined and improved.

Dave

 

[Nod]

I very much doubt that you'll get anything close to the quality of an interchangeable lens system for the stated budget (£150). The only thing superzoom compacts and bridge cameras offer is relative compactness.

I'd spend the money on extra baggage allowance and maybe excursions at the destination rather than on kit that will probably disappoint.

 

[AndrewFlannigan]

I very much doubt that you'll get anything close to the quality of an interchangeable lens system for the stated budget (£150). The only thing superzoom compacts and bridge cameras offer is relative compactness.

That's why I provided several shots to give him an idea of what the real world performance of these cameras is like. While it may not meet your requirements it might be sufficient for his needs. At least he has some facts on which to base his decision.

 

[Nod]

able to compete (or beat) the quality of image I’m going to get from the 5dMk2

low light capability is quite important too.

My requirements are relatively modest - all I took for our last trip was an RX-100/3. Doesn't come close to the Fuji kit I usually use despite having a similar size sensor.