10 best bridge cameras 2016

Best bridge camera

Bridge cameras are a versatile and affordable alternative to DSLRs which offer the same kind of manual controls and a huge zoom lens that covers everything from wide-angle to super-telephoto photography.

But there are two important differences to be aware of. The first is that bridge cameras have much smaller sensors than DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, so they can’t match them for picture quality. The second is that the lens is non-removable, so although it can handle a wide range of subjects, you can’t swap to a macro lens for close-ups, for example, or super-wideangle lens or a fast prime lens for low light photography.

If you’re not quite sure what kind of camera you need, read our simple step by step guide: What camera should I buy?

With bridge cameras you do get a lot of camera for your money, and they’re a great stepping stone for photographers who want to move on from simple point-and-shoot cameras. There are also a few now which have larger sensors and better picture quality and do get a lot closer to the performance of a DSLR.

These are our favorites right now:

1. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000

A 1-inch sensor and 4K video recording gives this bridge camera the edge

Sensor: 1-inch CMOS, 20.1MP | Lens: 25-400mm, f/2.8-4 | Monitor: 3-inch articulating, 921,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 12fps | Movies: Ultra HD 2160p | User level: Intermediate/Expert

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1-inch sensor Large maximum aperture Screen not touch-sensitive Comparatively large

The FZ1000’s 16x optical zoom is lower than typical bridge cameras, but that’s due to its sizeable 1-inch sensor that delivers a big boost in image quality. This isn’t just any old lens, either, but rather a Leica optic with a large f/2.8 maximum wide-angle aperture that narrows to a still-respectable f/4 at full zoom. This helps you capture shots in low light without resorting to high ISO sensitivities, whilst the Hybrid 5-axis Optical Image Stabilisation minimises camera shake. 4K (Ultra HD, strictly) 3840 x 2160 video recording, advanced autofocusing, a superb 2,359,000-dot electronic viewfinder and raw shooting all help make the FZ1000 our top pick.

2. Sony RX10 III

Expensive, but highly capable and offering huge focal range

Sensor: 1-inch CMOS, 20.2MP | Lens: 24-600mm, f/2.4-4 | Monitor: 3-inch tilting, 1.23m dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Continuous shooting: 14fps | Movies: 4K | User level: Intermediate/Expert

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Superb sensor High quality zoom lens Expensive Menu system could be better

Sony’s taken the 24-200mm zoom lens found in the RX10 II and put it on steroids, with the lens now covering a huge zoom range from 24-600mm. The constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 though is replaced with a variable range from f/2.4-4, but for the extra range, it’s worth the sacrifice. The 1-inch, 20.1MP sensor is capable of achieving excellent levels of detail, while the high ISO performance is also strong. The increased zoom range means the RX10 III is even bulkier than its predecessors though, but handling is very polished (we’d like to see the menu system refined a little though), feeling like a DSLR in the hand and complemented by a large and bright electronic viewfinder. That’s not forgetting the ability to capture video in 4K. The only real stumbling block is the price, costing even more than some very desirable DSLR and mirrorless options.

3. Canon PowerShot G3 X

Canon introduces its big zoom, large sensor bridge camera

Sensor: 1-inch CMOS, 20.2MP | Lens: 24-600mm, f/2.8-5.6 | Monitor: 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen, 1,62m dots | Viewfinder: No | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 5.9fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Intermediate/Expert

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1-inch sensor Impressive focal range No viewfinder No 4k video or panorama mode

With its relatively large 1-inch sensor, this is Canon’s answer to the Panasonic FZ1000. The G3 X adds more zoom versatility though, thanks to its 25x optic that gives a 24-600mm-equivalent focal range. On the downside, the maximum aperture drops to f/5.6 at full zoom and the G3 X doesn’t have an electronic viewfinder. Canon has also fitted its premium Digic 6 image processor, though, and the 3.2-inch tilting touch-sensitive screen is top notch too, with a huge 1,620,000-dot resolution. The G3 X can shoot full HD but not 4K – you do get raw capture and image quality with plenty of detail, though noise can be intrusive above ISO 3200.

4. Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

This feature-packed bridge camera has a lot to offer to enthusiasts

Sensor: 1/2.3-inch CMOS, 16.1MP | Lens: 21-1365mm-equivalent, f/3.4-6.5 | Monitor: 3-inch articulating, 922,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 6.4fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner/enthusiast

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65x zoom range Full manual control and raw capability No eye sensor on the viewfinder Lacks touch-screen control

The SX60 HS is a more conventional bridge camera than our top trio, as it uses a smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor, enabling a huge 65x optical zoom range. It’s still got full manual control, though, plus an articulated screen, a good quality electronic viewfinder and the ability to shoot in raw. Inbuilt Wi-Fi with NFC is another bonus. Annoyingly there’s no eye sensor on the viewfinder, so you have to activate it manually. Image quality is very good, with bright and punchy colours, but it does struggle a little with very dark conditions and if you examine images at 100%, you’ll see some speckling and noise.

5. Nikon Coolpix P610

It may lack raw capability, but otherwise the P610 is a solidly-specced contender

Sensor: 1/2.3-inch CMOS, 16.1MP | Lens: 24-1440mm, f/3.3-6.5 | Monitor: 3-inch articulating, 921,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 7fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner/enthusiast

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60x optical zoom Articulating screen & Wi-Fi No raw format shooting Screen not touch sensitive

Choosing between this and the Canon SX60 HS is tough, as both cameras perform similarly and the difference in zoom range is slight. The P610 just loses out on a place in our top three as it can’t shoot raw images, but it does undercut the Canon on price. Image quality is high up to ISO 800, with great colour reproduction and reasonable detail, whilst low light shots look good up to ISO 1600. It’s a pity there’s no eye sensor for the viewfinder, but you do get Wi-Fi with NFC pairing, plus an articulating screen which is useful for composing shots from awkward angles.

6. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ72

The FZ72 may be showing its age, but falling prices keep it in the game

Sensor: 1/2.3-inch CMOS, 16.1MP | Lens: 20-1200mm, f/2.8-5.9 | Monitor: 3-inch fixed, 460,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 9fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner/enthusiast

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60x zoom Raw format shooting No Wi-Fi or touch sensitivity Small, low resolution EVF

The FZ72 is one of the cheapest bridge cameras in our selection, yet it still sports a great zoom range with an impressive 20mm-equivalent wide angle focal length. Its lens aperture also opens up as wide as f/2.8, though it does narrow to f/5.9 at full zoom. Raw format recording and full manual control give the FZ72 enthusiast appeal, as does the attractive image quality. We would rank the FZ72 higher, but there?s no Wi-Fi and the relatively low screen and electronic viewfinder resolutions are a let-down. You?ll also have to do without an eye sensor to automatically switch between the two displays.

7. Sony Cyber-shot HX400V

A great all-rounder that’s just starting to be outclassed by newer rivals

Sensor: 1/2.3-inch CMOS, 20.4MP | Lens: 24-1200mm, f/2.8-6.3 | Monitor: 3-inch tilting, 922,000 dots | Viewfinder: Yes | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner/enthusiast

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High build quality Wi-Fi, tilting screen Can’t shoot in raw Low-resolution EVF

Sony’s premium superzoom bridge camera is closely matched with the Panasonic FZ72, but it loses out due to its higher price, JPEG-only image capture and lesser zoom range. Still, the HX400V claws back some ground by offering Wi-Fi. It’s also pleasure to use thanks to its ergonomic design and the tilting screen is another nice touch, though it won’t fully articulate. But more disappointing is the relatively low resolution electronic viewfinder. Although there’s no raw support, JPEG images have great colours and plenty of detail. Some image smoothing is visible at 100% image size, but it’s a common trait amongst small sensor bridge cameras.

8. Sony Cyber-shot HX300

It may be a poor man’s HX400V, but is that such a bad thing?

Sensor: 1/2.3-inch CMOS, 20.4MP | Lens: 24-1200mm, f/2.8-6.3 | Monitor: 3-inch tilting, 922,000 dots | Viewfinder: EVF | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner/enthusiast

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Excellent image stabilisation Lens barrel zoom ring No Wi-Fi or GPS No raw shooting

Can’t stretch to Sony’s HX400V? Stepping down to the HX300 still gets you the same 50x optical zoom and 20.4-megapixel Exmor R sensor with its respectable image quality and Full HD video recording. It’s also just as robust as its sibling, and you’re treated to manual controls which include a DSLR-like zoom ring around the lens barrel. You’ll have to do without the HX400V’s Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS location tagging and hotshoe mount, plus a few other minor features. But if you’re just after a bridge camera that nails the basics and are happy to shoot in JPEG only, the HX300 ticks the right boxes.

9. Fujifilm FinePix HS50 EXR

Fancy a bridge camera with the controls and quality feel of a DSLR?

Sensor: 1/2-inch CMOS, 16MP | Lens:24-1000mm, f/2.8-5.6 | Monitor: 3-inch articulating, 920,000 dots | Viewfinder: Yes | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 11fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner/enthusiast

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Good OIS performance Shoots in raw format Image smoothing No Wi-Fi

With ‘only’ a 42x zoom range, the HS50 is beaten by many other small-sensor rivals, but it feels more like an SLR thanks to its chunky size and traditional zoom ring around the lens barrel. The HS50 shoots in raw as well, which is somewhat rare at this level. It also boasts an articulating screen and an eye sensor for the excellent electronic viewfinder, however there’s no Wi-Fi. Autofocusing is first class and image quality is pretty good, but detail smoothing is visible when viewing photos at full size and the HS50 scores much lower than the Sony HX400V and Panasonic FZ72 in our lab tests.

10. Nikon Coolpix P900

Unleash your inner paparazzo with the P900’s class-leading 83x optical zoom

Sensor: 1/2.3-inch CMOS, 16MP | Lens:24-2000mm, f/2.8-6.5 | Monitor: 3-inch articulating, 921,000 dots | Viewfinder: Yes | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 7fps | Movies: 1080p | User level: Enthusiast

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Class-leading zoom range Inbuilt Wi-Fi and NFC No raw shooting Big and expensive

Thought Canon’s 65x SX60 HS was the limit for optical zoom range? Well Nikon has rewritten the rule book, as the P900’s incredible 83x lens currently gives it the accolade of world’s longest-zoom bridge camera. Such a massive lens does make this one hefty snapper, however. It’s considerably larger than Nikon’s P610 and 60% heavier, yet it shares many of the same features, like Wi-Fi with NFC pairing and an articulating screen. Image quality is also very similar to that of the P610, but the price certainly isn’t. The P900 will cost you around 80% more, which is hard to justify.

Source: techradar.com

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