Which bridge camera is best

If you need something more for stills than video, however, you may find the FZ II above makes more sense — particularly when you see just what you get for the money. From its junior models right through to its various flagships, Panasonic has always been generous with features.

You simply don't get that anywhere else right now! On top of that there's a tilting touchscreen, a 1. At its max zoom, the Nikon P has an astonishing mm focal length which is even more impressive than the P's. Nikon's VR Vibration Reduction cuts down camera shake but at longer focal lengths there is a noticeable softness in images which it doesn't fix.

It boasts a higher-resolution electronic viewfinder, 4K video capabilities and raw format shooting. It's a lot of money for not a lot of sensor and there are other cameras on the list that are better value for money - albeit not with the same zoom range.

Read more: Nikon P review. The Nikon Coolpix B is a very popular bridge camera - due to just how much bang you get for your buck. Despite a lower price than many bridge cameras, it offers 40x zoom range and a lot of advanced controls — making it a great choice for those wanting telephoto reach for shooting birds and other distant subjects without paying a fortune.

Drawbacks include having to make do with the LCD screen - as there is no eyelevel viewfinder - and that could be hard work if trying to track a fast moving subject, or shooting in bright sunlight.

Also read Should you buy a NIkon B? On paper, the SX70 HS looks a close rival to the Panasonic FZ82 above , offering a slightly longer maximum zoom and nearly matching the Panasonic's wideangle setting. The SX70 does handle well and it's not that big for a bridge camera, but the opposition has moved on, with bigger zoom ranges, bigger sensors or lower price points. The SX70 HS offers solid enough specifications but at a price point which makes its rivals look more tempting.

The simple definition of a bridge camera is this: big lens, big body, small ish sensor. But the reality is a little more complex than that. This all changed, however, when Sony, Panasonic and Canon figured out how to make bridge cameras with 1-inch sensors, which are much closer to those of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, and the jump in quality is just as noticeable as the jump in price. The bigger sensor also means a smaller zoom range, so it's up to you where your priorities lie.

That's why we've split our bridge camera guide into two halves: the first section deals with advanced, comparatively expensive bridge cameras with 1-inch sensors though many are a few years old and can be picked up for much less than on launch. The second half of our list comprises,.

But the bigger sensors mean smaller zoom ranges and higher price tags, which has split the bridge camera market into two halves. Rod is the Group Reviews editor for Digital Camera World and across Future's entire photography portfolio, with decades of experience with cameras of all kinds. He has been writing about photography technique, photo editing and digital cameras since they first appeared, and before that began his career writing about film photography.

He has used and reviewed practically every interchangeable lens camera launched in the past 20 years, from entry-level DSLRs to medium format cameras, together with lenses, tripods, gimbals, light meters, camera bags and more. Included in this guide: 1. Image 1 of 6. Image 2 of 6. Image 3 of 6. Image 4 of 6. See our article on the types of camera sensor to learn more about why the size here is important.

The design of the RX10 IV looks similar to the previous generation; however, it packs a lot of new features. The body is shaped similar to a DSLR, but the lens is a fixed 25x zoom. Like the older generations of bridge cameras, the RX10 IV has a fully weather-sealed body that can withstand light rain, snow, and dusty environments.

The exteriors are made with metal, but a bit of rubber and polycarbonate is used for better ergonomics. However, if you prefer to not spend too much on storage, the standard speed SD cards are also supported. It comes with an ultra-sharp Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens that covers the focal range of 24mm to mm in 35mm equivalence. The lens on the RX10 IV produces a significant level of detail, sharpness, and vivid color throughout.

When shooting at low shutter speeds, even the slightest movement can introduce blur in your images. However, with the RX IV, the SteadyShot optical image stabilization enables you to retain sharpness by stabilizing up to 4. If shooting sports or fast-moving subjects is your thing, the RX10 IV is the best bridge camera for you.

You can shoot images at a fast speed of 24 frames per second, with auto-focus on. On top of that, it can lock focus on a subject in just 0. The ISO range of , expandable to , makes it possible to shoot in very low-light conditions. The video capabilities of the RX10 IV have been upgraded considerably from the previous generation.

It features support for shooting 4K videos at a maximum of 30fps. At p, it can shoot videos at a maximum of fps. It also supports the Sony log formats, which provide great flexibility during editing and color-grading. The extreme focal length coverage and the pro-grade video features make the RX10 IV one of the best travel video cameras on the market.

The 2. However, with the new image processor, display lag has been eliminated. It features a 3-inch tilt touch screen display on the rear that supports focus by touch.

The resolution has been slightly upgraded from the predecessor to 1. Thanks to plenty of connectivity options — from Bluetooth to NFC and Wi-Fi — your pictures are easily accessible on a smartphone, PC, or other devices. With these impressive specs and the ability to achieve great results, the RX10 IV is our number one pick for the best bridge camera.

The ZS is a lightweight bridge camera from Panasonic. Starting with the physical appearance of the camera, it has a slim body that can fit in any handbag or a big pocket when turned off. However, the lens protrudes when you turn the camera on. Another good thing is that this option on the best bridge camera list weighs only 0.

There are plenty of physical buttons on the camera, which lets you adjust critical settings without digging deep in the menu. The The relatively bigger sensor has considerably improved images and low light performance. The cherry on the cake is the support for RAW files, which gives you a lot of flexibility in post-processing.

The camera has a full manual mode where you can control aperture, shutter, and ISO as per your liking as well as the Program, Aperture, and Shutter priority modes. The built-in noise reduction cleans images without losing out on the details. However, it comes with a pop-up flash which has excellent illumination and range for its size. The k-dot electronic viewfinder on the Panasonic ZS is sharp and has vibrant colors. Just note that the magnification is limited to 0. The k-dot 3-inch display is sharp, and touch support makes it very quick to set up the camera.

Collectively, these make it more user-friendly and versatile than its predecessor, though it is also worth looking out for deals on the Nikon P We'd like to have seen a touchscreen added too, but the P remains a good option if zoom is your main priority. If you absolutely need a camera with a mm-equivalent lens, the fact that the P is alone in offering this makes your decision easy. With a huge body, less-than-reliable autofocus, a sub-standard LCD and operational strifes, however, its appeal for anything else is more limited.

Sony's superzoom bridge camera is closely matched with the Panasonic FZ82, and is available at a great price owing to its age. The downsides when compared to the FZ82 include JPEG-only image capture and a lesser zoom range, but if you can live with both it's a great budget option.

The HXV claws back some ground by offering Wi-Fi, while it's also pleasure to use thanks to its ergonomic design, and the tilting screen is nice touch, although it isn't fully articulating. More disappointing is the relatively low-resolution electronic viewfinder.

Although there's no raw support, JPEG images have great colors and plenty of detail. If your main concern is the state of your finances, here's a quick look at a great value option from Panasonic.

It was launched back in , so it's a fair old age now, but that just makes the FZ known as the Lumix FZ outside the US an even better bargain. 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. For those wondering where bridge cameras get their name — it's because they are said to 'bridge' the gap between simple point-and-shoot models or your phone and more advanced DSLR type models. Bridge cameras tend to have smaller sensors than DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, but the other main difference is that the lens is fixed to the body, so you can't remove it for a more specialized optic or one with a wider aperture.

It's not quite as straightforward as that anymore, as some bridge cameras are advanced and sophisticated themselves. If you're just starting out in photography, bridge cameras can be the ideal place to start. You get a lot for your money and it's the ideal way to learn about different shooting modes and settings, without necessarily spending a huge amount of money.

Mark is the Cameras Editor at TechRadar. Having worked in tech journalism for a ludicrous 17 years, Mark is now attempting to break the world record for the number of camera bags hoarded by one person. But that was before he discovered the strange joys of getting up at 4am for a photo shoot in London's Square Mile. North America. Included in this guide: 1. Are you in the market to buy the best bridge camera? The real selling point of the new P is its zoom functionality, which at full extension provides the camera with an impressive x zoom range — the equivalent of strapping a mm lens to the body.

We think this camera would be a great option for wildlife photographers, allowing you to get closer to the action at a relatively affordable price.

A large 1in sensor, 4K video at 30fps and an excellent, easy to use autofocus system we think lends this unit to be best-suited for travellers and those on the move. That said, we did like its DSLR feel and would recommend this camera to those looking for a sturdy package in a lightweight, extremely portable guise. Although on paper the f2.

The focal range of the lens is pleasingly wide at 20mm, with a 60x optical zoom, and its ability to record 4K for only a couple of hundred quid make it the perfect kind of camera for those interested in a budget option to get going and learn about more advanced shooting techniques and modes. Looking for more camera inspiration? Read our guide to the best mirrorless models that are compact and user-friendly.

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