![\"Best](\"https:\/\/www.apogeephoto.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/The-Best-Bridge-Cameras-1.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
DSLR? Mirrorless? Compact? Ultra compact camera? Usually, when people do camera shopping, they focus their attention on these categories. While each one of these have undeniably great cameras to consider, one more category still exists and it is well worth your attention. <\/span><\/p>\n Bridge cameras are an increasingly popular group these days. As the name suggests, the style and features of these cameras act as a bridge between compact point and shoots and interchangeable lens cameras<\/strong>. Bridge cameras are relatively heavy compared to other compact cameras; many are as large as an entry level DSLR camera. <\/span><\/p>\n However, they retain the fixed, non-interchangeable lens design of a compact camera, as well as the smaller digital sensor. Depending on the style, they also include more advanced features such as manual control of the exposure triangle, image stabilization, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n Many bridge cameras today have a lens with very wide range of focal lengths, and these models are referred to as superzoom cameras. These superzoom cameras allow someone to shoot both wide-angle and telephoto images without swapping lenses<\/strong>. This unique ability makes these superzoom cameras great for travel as they can capture amazing landscape images as well as zoom in for a close up on a specific subject. However, a camera does not need to have a large focal length range to be considered a bridge camera.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a camera that doesn\u2019t fill up a bag with spare parts that will cost a fortune, like an interchangeable lens camera, then a bridge camera may be your best bet. So what sort of specifications should you be looking at while shopping?<\/span><\/p>\n One of the best thing about bridge cameras is their extremely flexible, all-purpose lenses. Because of the fixed lens, camera manufacturers try to give consumers as much flexibility as possible. The newest bridge cameras often have extremely large focal ranges that are rarely duplicated in the interchangeable lens market. <\/span><\/p>\n Even more, they usually have impressively wide apertures, down to f\/2.4 or so. The aperture or f\/stop is a rating of how wide or narrow the hole that lets light strike the sensor becomes. The smaller the aperture number, the larger the hole, which means more light for better exposure (as well as a smaller depth of field or focus plane).<\/span><\/p>\n However, due to technical constraints as well as cost-saving measures, these lenses constrict as you reach the maximum zoom range of the camera. An f\/2.4 lens at the widest setting will usually stop down to around f\/4 or more at max zoom, which is 150% less light striking the sensor and reduced overall image exposure. <\/span><\/p>\n But as long as you\u2019re not shooting in environments where the lighting is challenging, such as the interior of a dimly lit church or a forest at twilight, you\u2019ll find the maximum aperture values and flexibility offered by these lenses worth the cost.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the chunky size of these bodies, bridge cameras tend to have smaller sensors compared to the interchangeable lens cameras they mimic. Most bridge cameras pack a 1\u201d sensor (sized 12.80 x 9.60mm) or smaller. Commonly used for professional work, a 1\u201d sensor is generous for a bridge camera and sized just under that of a Micro 4\/3rds camera (sized 17.3 x 13.00mm). Many photographers even use even smaller 2\/3\u201d and 1-2\/3\u201d sensors. <\/span><\/p>\n If low-light photography is important to you, then sensor size is as big a consideration as aperture. The larger the sensor, the larger the area you have for detecting light. Image noise is also better controlled, and you get noticeable improvements in depth of field if you have an open aperture setting.<\/span><\/p>\n Camera resolution is shown in megapixel (MP) counts. While it is helpful, it is not as big a consideration as manufacturers will lead you to believe. The vast majority of cameras on the market have far more resolution than most photographers need. 12 MP is plenty for web use with room for cropping and clean display at full size on most computers and smart device screens. You can print an 8 x 12 photo at 300 ppi, which is perfectly suitable for magazines and books. <\/span><\/p>\n Most digital cameras today offer between 16 to 24 MP. Megapixel counts shouldn\u2019t be the primary concern when shopping for a bridge camera, unless you intend to create large prints, posters, wall art, or want room for aggressive cropping.<\/span><\/p>\n Do you do a lot of videography? If so, is Full HD (1920 x 2018p) high enough or will you need 4K resolution (3840 x 2160p) for maximum resolution work? While professional videographers are more likely to use an interchangeable lens camera for 4K work, a vlogger or aspiring videographer with a bridge camera may not want to stick to Full HD resolution. <\/span><\/p>\n Keep in mind that high-resolution screens are continually becoming more affordable as the years pass. Recording in 4K means that you\u2019re able to \u201cfuture-proof\u201d your work, quality-wise, even if you don\u2019t have a high-resolution display. The main downside is that video file sizes are massively bigger from Full HD to 4K, as are the processing times. <\/span><\/p>\n Bridge cameras blurred the line between interchangeable lens cameras and point and shoots thanks to their DSLR styling and features. The\u00a0<\/span>Sony Cybershot RX10 IV<\/a> goes a step further and offers image quality comparable to an intermediate level DSLR with its highly advanced lens design and focusing system. If you\u2019re looking for the best image quality in a flexible, weatherized package, the RX10 IV is the best bridge camera out there!<\/span><\/p>\n Considering the price is into DSLR and mirrorless territory, the Cybershot RX10 IV has to offer quite a bit to remain competitive. For starters, the lens provided by Sony is one of the best in the bridge camera world. F\/2.4-4 is a fantastic range that is very unusual in a point and shoot world because it\u2019s extremely wide open. <\/span><\/p>\n This combination will give great exposure and depth of field throughout the focal range. While f\/4 is somewhat constricted, it\u2019s not nearly as poor as f\/5.6 and beyond that\u2019s common to bridge cameras. <\/span><\/p>\n Combined with the 24-600mm effective focal range, you have a lens that can cover nearly any type of photography, from landscapes to portraits and wildlife photography while providing excellent exposure. It even has 1:2 magnification for macro photography lovers. While it\u2019s not a true macro (1:1 magnification), the RX10 IV absolutely has the best lens out of the five cameras we talk about in this article.<\/span><\/p>\n Sony makes some of the speediest autofocus systems on the camera market, and the RX10 IV is no exception. 325 phase detection points help ensure the generously sized 1\u201d sensor can track subjects across 65% of the frame. Using continuous drive gains you get up to 24 frames per second burst photography, thanks to Sony\u2019s famously fast BIONZ engine processing. The buffer holds up to 249 images, giving you around 10 seconds of continuous burst photography before needing to clear and save the results to a memory card.<\/span><\/p>\n The wide open aperture of the lens sometimes means that you may have too much light to work with during the brightest days. If you still want a shallow depth of field without overexposing your image, the RX10 IV\u2019s advanced sensor offers a couple of good solutions. <\/span><\/p>\n One is to pull the ISO down to 64, reducing the light sensitivity of the sensor. The other is increasing the shutter speed up to 1\/32000th of a second using the electronic shutter. Essentially the sensor turns itself on and off incredibly quickly to fire four times faster than the mechanical shutter. The electronic shutter is also silent and is perfect for discrete photography in event settings.<\/span><\/p>\n The Cybershot RX10 IV offers an incredible suite of features, far too many to recount every single one here. One big one includes Optical Steady Shot (OSS) built into the camera-lens system. This ensure handheld images remain sharp even when zoomed out to 600mm. <\/span><\/p>\n Videographers will also love the Sony RX10 IV. It offers 4K video resolution at 24 and 30 fps as well as Full HD resolution <\/span>40x slow motion video capture<\/span><\/a> (960 fps) even at maximum zoom range. S-log recording also allows you to better edit the color profile, shadows, and highlights of your video footage because a greater amount of dynamic range is captured (though the files are larger as a result). <\/span><\/p>\n Combined with the microphone, headphone, and HDMI ports, the RX10 IV is quite capable as a video camera as well. Only the LUMIX FZ2500 can compete in terms of video features.<\/span><\/p>\n \n If you create both photography and videography, or even just dabble in one but specialize in the other, a hybrid camera might be your best bet. Hybrids offer features from both styles and significantly expand your creative possibilities. The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ2500<\/a><\/span>\u00a0is not only one of the best bridge cameras for photography, but is also an excellent video camera as well.<\/span><\/p>\n In today\u2019s competitive camera market, it\u2019s hard to find features that aren\u2019t being offered by other manufacturers. But the LUMIX FZ2500 really delivers something deceptively special with its <\/span>built-in neutral density filters<\/span><\/a>. Users can control these filters via a switch on the lens barrel, with settings of 1\/4, 1\/16, and 1\/64, which corresponds to 2, 4, and 6 stops of light reduction.<\/span><\/p>\n As photographers, we typically want as much light as possible to work with. But neutral density filters offer creative possibilities of their own. One of the best known is allowing photographers to shoot as much slower shutter speeds without overexposing the final photograph. Photographs that show silky smooth running water or waterfalls use ND filters to reduce incoming light while using shutter speeds around 2-5 seconds or more.<\/span><\/p>\n Another use for this feature is keeping the aperture wide open in bright lighting. Normally you\u2019d want to stop it down, but that comes at the cost of depth of field. Adjusting shutter speed might freeze the action \u2013 but what if you\u2019re trying to capture motion blur at a wide aperture? If ISO adjustment isn\u2019t an option, then the built-in ND filters will come in handy here as well. <\/span><\/p>\n Panasonic is well known for blending photography and videography. One of the most fascinating results of this is the 4K Photo Mode of the LUMIX FZ2500. 4K Photo Mode takes a short 4K video recording that allows you to extract still images from the file. It\u2019s basically 30 fps burst rate photography. <\/span><\/p>\n Another excellent feature that is sometimes in high-end cameras is internal focus stacking. With focus stacking, you select focus points in a still scene. The camera will then take a series of images using those focus points and then blend the photos into a final image with precisely the depth of field you want. <\/span><\/p>\n The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ2500<\/a> is also the only other camera here to offer log video recording. While both the FZ2500 and Sony RX10 IV offer log video recording, the Panasonic model only offers it as a $99 upgrade while the Sony offers it natively. But given that the FZ2500 is significantly cheaper than the Sony model, it may not matter quite so much to pay for the upgrade. <\/span> Dolly Zoom<\/span><\/a> is another feature rarely seen in bridge cameras. The effect creates the illusion of the background shrinking away or zooming in while the subject remains relatively stationary. It adds a sense of emotional impact, whether it be confusion, shock, or surprise.<\/span> \n Nikon\u2019s COOLPIX line consists of affordable bridge cameras that specialize in extremely long focal lengths. The P1000 offers the most zoom out of the entire series while still being budget-friendly. While overly large and lacking other unique features, it\u2019s still a standout bridge camera. <\/span><\/p>\n Reach, reach, and more reach. If you want photographs of distant subjects, the Nikon P1000<\/a>\u00a0simply can\u2019t be beaten. The 24-3000 focal range converts to an incredible 125x optical zoom. <\/span>Anything you can see<\/span><\/a> can be put into sharp focus. The maximum aperture at 24mm is an excellent f\/2.8, but as expected it does stop down as it zooms outwards.<\/span><\/p>\n Note that while the P1000 does have Dual Detect Optical Image Stabilization at this focal length, shooting handheld is still going to create significant camera shake. It\u2019s much better to shoot with a tripod using the P1000. The maximum f\/8 aperture at 3000mm is quite narrow and means you\u2019ll struggle to get good exposure in low light, especially since you\u2019ll want a fast shutter speed if you aren\u2019t using a tripod. The autofocus capacity of the camera will also suffer as the light levels drop.<\/span><\/p>\n The P1000 doesn\u2019t stand out much, except for the incredible zoom, but it\u2019s no slouch, either. The video resolution maxes out at 4K up to 30 frames per second. Sensor resolution sits at an excellent 16 megapixels. Given the small 1-2\/3\u201d sensor, the lower resolution means noise is better controlled compared to a higher resolution sensor. <\/span> While the Nikon P1000<\/a>\u00a0is the undisputed master of zoom, it does have some downsides worth noting. The battery life is quite low for a bridge camera; at 250 shots per charge, it lags behind the other cameras listed here. The Sony leads the pack at 400 shots per charge, while each of the other models can last between 320 and 380 shots per charge (CIPA rating). <\/span><\/p>\n The huge lens also makes it quite chunky, even compared to other bridge cameras. At 1415 g (3.12 lbs), it\u2019s significantly heavier than every other model here, and over twice as heavy as the lightest camera, the Canon SX70 HS (608 g or 1.43 lbs). <\/span><\/p>\n If you plan on shooting with a tripod regularly or absolutely must have the 125x optical zoom, the P1000 won\u2019t disappoint. But it\u2019s not the sort of camera you take out for a few quick shots and then tuck away discreetly.<\/span><\/p>\n \n While the DMC-FZ2500 is a supremely capable bridge camera, Panasonic also has a budget option: the Panasonic LUMIX FZ300<\/a>. Offering a constant open aperture, a decent focal range, touchscreen controls, and a medium-resolution sensor for below $500, the FZ300 is a very competitive choice. It even offers superior close-range photography capability with a minimum focusing distance of 1 cm over the 3cm of the FZ2500. <\/span><\/p>\n Most of the time, the lens on a bridge camera stops down the more you increase the focal length. F\/2.4 or f\/3.5 eventually becomes f\/4 or even f\/6 by the time you\u2019ve reached maximum zoom. This means less light is entering the system and will affect the exposure of the final photograph. But the fixed lens of the LUMIX FZ300 has a constant f\/2.8 aperture. <\/span><\/p>\n F\/2.8 is a fairly wide open aperture that\u2019s great for portraits and close-up photography. It also allows for a noticeably shallower depth of field than the f\/3.5 or higher apertures most entry-level bridge cameras offer. While the 600mm max zoom range isn\u2019t nearly as impressive as the 2000mm offered by the Nikon P1000, the constant fast aperture is a good trade.<\/span><\/p>\n This particular bridge camera has something to offer that you may miss if you rely solely on the numbers off of the box: low light capability. With its medium resolution 12.1 MP sensor, each individual pixel is larger than those of a higher resolution camera with the same sensor size (1-2\/3\u201d sized 6.17 x 455mm). Remember that 12 megapixels is more enough for 95% of the photographers out there – don\u2019t get sucked into megapixel wars. <\/span><\/p>\n While it will be hard-pressed to compete with the likes of a Sony A7S or other large sensor digital cameras, the LUMIX FZ300 is a great choice for natural light photographers looking for the bridge camera advantages. The constant f\/2.8 aperture, even at maximum zoom, also helps its performance as a natural light camera.<\/span><\/p>\n Digital cameras are usually the first item to be packed away when the weather turns foul. But the Panasonic LUMIX FZ300<\/a>\u00a0is built using a rugged, splash and dust-proof design that incorporates rubber seals throughout the body. These seals prevent loose material from entering and ruining the camera or lens. While weatherization is common in interchangeable lens cameras, it\u2019s a rare bridge camera that offers it, especially at so affordable a price.<\/span><\/p>\n While the LUMIX SZ300 doesn\u2019t offer the incredible sensor stabilization elements of Panasonic\u2019s Micro 4\/3rds line, it does use a hybrid lens and digital-based image stabilization system. This Hybrid IS offers up to 5 stops of stabilization. <\/span><\/p>\n To better understand this, let\u2019s say you\u2019re shooting a scene where you need a shutter speed of 1\/2000th of a second to avoid motion blur due to the movement of the vehicle you\u2019re traveling in. With the Hybrid IS system of the SZ300, you could reduce your shutter speed to 1\/60th of a second and have the same chance of motion blur affecting the final image.<\/span><\/p>\n \n Canon cameras are some of the most popular in the world for a good reason. With their intuitive menu designs, solid craftsmanship, and great color reproduction and image quality, it\u2019s no secret that most photographers have shot with a Canon on at least one occasion. Canon equals quality, and the SX70 HS is no exception. <\/span><\/p>\n The Sony RX10 IV and Panasonic FZ2500 are the premium end models specializing in hybrid photography and intermediate to professional video work. The LUMIX FZ300 offers affordable hybrid photo\/videography and specialized neutral density filters. The Nikon P1000 revolves around its super zoom capability. But the Canon SX70 HS<\/a>\u00a0takes a little bit from each of these cameras and puts it all into one. <\/span> The Intelligent Image Stabilization (IS) system of the SX70 is also very impressive, offering around five stops of stabilization to help with not only shooting at longer focal lengths, but preventing blur while panning, shooting up close, and while using slower shutter speeds in low light conditions. The IS unit operates in tandem with a gyroscope to correct for unwanted movement.<\/span><\/p>\n While it\u2019s not up to the standards of Sony and Panasonic the Canon SX70 does provide some decent videography tricks. Like the other bridge cameras mentioned, it records 4K video but can also shoot 120 fps slow motion full HD video. And like the Panasonic LUMIX line, it uses 4K Frame Cropping (see 4K Photo Mode) to extract still images from 4K video files. <\/span><\/p>\n While not tiny, the SX70 is the smallest bridge camera listed here. At 127 x 91 x 117 mm (5 x 3.58 x 4.61 in), it\u2019s slightly smaller than the LUMIX FZ300 and significantly smaller than the others, especially the chunky Nikon P1000. And at 608 g (1.34 lb), it\u2019s quite a bit lighter than all of the other bridge cameras. <\/span><\/p>\n If you want great zoom and bridge camera features without feeling quite so weighed down, the Canon SX70 HS<\/a>\u00a0is the best camera to carry around your neck. Smaller bodies usually mean smaller batteries and reduced shooting time, but the CIPA rating is a respectable 325 shots per charge.<\/span><\/p>\n \n
\nWhat should I be looking for in a Bridge or Superzoom Camera?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Lens Optical Zoom<\/b><\/h3>\n
Sensor Size and Resolution<\/b><\/h3>\n
Video Quality<\/b><\/h3>\n
\nThe Best Bridge & Superzoom Cameras<\/b><\/h2>\n
\nSony Cybershot RX10 IV<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Sony](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41pqLPHjIFL.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nIncredibly Flexible Lens<\/b><\/h4>\n
Excellent Sensor & Autofocusing<\/b><\/h4>\n
Image Stabilization & Videography Features<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n\n \n \n\n\n Sale<\/span>\n \n \n ![\"Sony](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41pqLPHjIFL._SL160_.jpg\")
\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n Sony Cyber\u2011Shot RX10 IV with 0.03 Second Auto-Focus & 25x Optical Zoom (DSC-RX10M4) <\/a>\n \n \n\n \n \n from $1,598.00<\/span>\n \n <\/a> <\/div>\n\n Buy on Amazon<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nPanasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ2500<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Panasonic](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41ivsKfz-AL.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nBuilt-In Neutral Density Filters<\/b><\/h4>\n
4K Photo & Videography Features<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>While the LUMIX model does offer <\/span>slow-motion capture at 120 fps<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s not quite as impressive as the 960 fps offered by Sony. But even the Sony doesn\u2019t offer DCI 4K (4096 x 2160 at 24 fps). If you need cinematic 4K resolution, then the FZ2500 is the clear winner as a hybrid photo\/video camera.<\/span><\/p>\nAdditional Features<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Like the Sony model, the Panasonic also offers a full complement of ports, featuring micro-HDMI, headphone, microphone, and remote control ports. While it does miss out on a few of the best features of the Sony model, like weather sealing, the LUMIX FZ2500 is a fine balance between affordability and capability.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n \n \n\n\n \n \n \n ![\"PANASONIC](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41ivsKfz-AL._SL160_.jpg\")
\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n PANASONIC LUMIX FZ2500 4K Point and Shoot Camera, 20X LEICA DC Vario-ELMARIT F2.8-4.5 Lens, 21.1 Megapixels, 1 Inch High Sensitivity Sensor, 422 10-bit, HDMI Out, DMC-FZ2500 (USA BLACK) <\/a>\n \n \n\n \n \n $997.99<\/span>\n \n <\/a> <\/div>\n\n Buy on Amazon<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nNikon P1000<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Nikon](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51VJP7trRTL.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nMost Affordable Super Zoom Lens<\/b><\/h4>\n
Great Features<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Bird photography is one of the best uses of the reach the P1000 provides. Thankfully, Nikon cameras included a Bird Mode that optimizes shutter speed and focusing for quick captures. The lens is also close-focusing capable at up to 1 foot away; not as impressive as the 1 cm focusing of the LUMIX FZ300, but good for a super-zoom.<\/span><\/p>\nOther Considerations<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n\n \n \n\n\n Sale<\/span>\n \n \n ![\"Nikon](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/51VJP7trRTL._SL160_.jpg\")
\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n Nikon COOLPIX P1000 16.7 Digital Camera with 3.2\" LCD, Black <\/a>\n \n \n\n \n \n from $996.95<\/span>\n \n <\/a> <\/div>\n\n Buy on Amazon<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nPanasonic LUMIX FZ300<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"PANASONIC](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/511kDQY-kgL.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nConstant Open Aperture<\/b><\/h4>\n
Low-Light Performance<\/b><\/h4>\n
Image Stabilization in a Weatherized Body<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n\n \n \n\n\n Sale<\/span>\n \n \n ![\"PANASONIC](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/511kDQY-kgL._SL160_.jpg\")
\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n PANASONIC Lumix FZ300 Long Zoom Digital Camera Features 12.1 Megapixel, 1\/2.3-Inch Sensor, 4K Video, WiFi, Splash & Dustproof Camera Body, Leica DC 24X F2.8 Zoom Lens - DMC-FZ300K - (Black) USA <\/a>\n \n \n\n \n \n from $397.99<\/span>\n \n <\/a> <\/div>\n\n Buy on Amazon<\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nCanon SX70 HS<\/b><\/h3>\n
![\"Canon](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41X1bSmj5QL.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWell Balanced in Features<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>The 65x optical zoom is a solid second place in terms of zoom reach; the Sony and Panasonic models don\u2019t go beyond 25x optical zoom. That\u2019s equivalent to a 21-1365mm lens on a 35mm camera. The maximum aperture is a somewhat constricted f\/3.4 at 21mm, stopping down to f\/6.5 at maximum zoom. <\/span><\/p>\nGood Video Options<\/b><\/h4>\n
Fairly Compact Bridge Camera<\/b><\/h4>\n
\n\n \n \n\n\n Sale<\/span>\n
![\"Canon](\"https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41X1bSmj5QL._SL160_.jpg\")
\n <\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n\n