Introduction and winner
Many predicted bridge cameras would be wiped out by the rise of affordable DSLRs and compact system cameras (especially budget models), but this hasn't happened.
It's not that hard to figure out why. Not everyone wants the relative bulk, faff and expense of an DSLR and a big bag of lenses, so it's the combination of power and portability, at an affordable price, that explains the enduring appeal of bridge compact cameras.
The best examples now offer DSLR-like levels of control and fast, wide-aperture lenses, along with raw shooting and other useful extras such as Wi-Fi and articulated screens. Bridge compact makers have been working hard to keep these cameras fresh and appealing to serious photographers, so read on to discover the best buys.
Six things to look for in a bridge camera
Sensor size: Most bridge cameras have small 1/2.3-inch sensors which limits the picture quality, but a couple now have much larger and better 1-inch sensor – though the zoom range is lower.
Zoom range: Make sure that you check the optical focal length, as well as the digital focal length. Optical is always better.
Max apertures: For low light shooting and for shooting images with a shallow depth of field, you'll want something which offers a wide maximum aperture.
Viewfinder: A viewfinder is useful, especially those that come with a sensor for detecting when the camera has been lifted to your eye.
Raw shooting: For the most flexibility, particularly when it comes to controlling noise, look for those which offer raw format shooting.
Manual control: Being able to change the aperture, shutter speed, ISO and so on gives you the same kind of control as using your DSLR.
Best bridge camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ1000
Sensor size: CMOS, 1-inch | Megapixels: 20.1 | Zoom range: 16x, 27-432mm | Screen type: 3-inch articulating, 921,000 dots | Viewfinder: Yes | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 12fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p (4k supported too)
The Panasonic FZ1000 is the brand's flagship bridge camera, packing a 16x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 25-400mm) and a large, 1-inch sensor with 20.1 megapixels. The zoom range is lower than regular bridge cameras, but the larger sensor delivers a big boost in image quality.
This is not just any old lens either, being Leica DC Vario-Elmarit glass with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 at the widest point and f/4 at the narrowest. There is also a Hybrid 5-axis Optical Image Stabilisation to reduce the risk of camera shake when the lens is zoomed out.
What's more, the FZ1000 is the first compact or bridge camera able to record 4K (3840 x 2160 pixel) video at up to 25fps (PAL) in MP4 format. So, you can enjoy 8Mp still images on 4K televisions. Up to 49 AF points are available and a Custom Multi AF mode enables you to use blocks, rows or columns of AF points.
The Panasonic FZ1000 has a 2,359,000-dot OLED electronic viewfinder, and vari-angle rear LCD – but it's not touchscreen. You can't shoot raw in HDR mode and the camera is a bit bulky, but otherwise it's a really good buy.
Other bridge cameras
Sony Cyber-shot RX10
Sensor size: CMOS, 1-inch | Megapixels: 20.2 | Zoom range: 8.3x, 24-200mm | Screen type: 3-inch tilting, 1,290,000 dots | Viewfinder: Yes | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p
Like the Panasonic FZ1000, the RX10 has a relatively large (1-inch) 20.2 megapixel sensor. The zoom range is restricted to 8.3x, which is pretty low for a bridge camera, but it does have a constant wide aperture of f/2.8. This is very useful in low light or for reducing depth of field for creative effect.
There is manual control and raw shooting too and a rear-tilting screen to aid composition. Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity comes as standard, and you also get a hotshoe for adding an external flash unit.
The RX10 is a very fine bridge compact indeed, especially now the price has dropped significantly since launch.
Canon PowerShot SX60
Sensor size: CMOS, 1/2.3-inch | Megapixels: 16.1 | Zoom range: 65x, 21-1365mm | Screen type: 3-inch articulating, 922,000 dots | Viewfinder: Yes | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 6.4fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p
With its 65x optical zoom (21-1365mm equivalent), the SX60 is the market leader in terms of zoom range. It's also got full manual control, an articulated rear screen, the ability to shoot in raw format and a viewfinder. Inbuilt Wi-Fi and NFC is also a bonus, too.
But there's no sensor on the viewfinder, so you have to switch between the screen and the viewfinder manually. Image quality is very good, with bright and punchy colours, but it does struggle a little with very dark conditions. If you're examining images at 100%, you'll see some speckling and noise.
Sony HX400V
Sensor size: CMOS, 1/2.3-inch | Megapixels: 20.4 | Zoom range: 50x, 24-1200mm | Screen type: 3-inch tilting, 922,000 dots | Viewfinder: Yes | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p
The 50x optical zoom gives you plenty of scope and with its textured, ergonomically designed grip, the HX400V is very nice to use. The screen is tilting, but not fully articulating.
On the downside, you can't shoot in raw format, which seems a big shame for a camera aimed at the enthusiast audience, though the JPEG images have great colours and plenty of detail. You will see some image smoothing if you examine at 100%, but at normal printing and web sizes this shouldn't present too much of a problem.
Fujifilm Finepix HS50 EXR
Sensor size: CMOS, 1/2-inch | Megapixels: 16 | Zoom range: 42x, 24-1000mm | Screen type: 3-inch articulating, 920,000 dots | Viewfinder: Yes | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 11fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p
The Fuji's 42x zoom is not the longest, but the HS50 does feel like an SLR. To zoom you rotate the lens barrel, just like with a "proper" lens. The hand grip is also very chunky and the overall size and weight is very similar to an entry level DSLR. Some might find it just a little too heavy.
The HS50 shoots in raw format, has an articulating screen and has a eye sensor for the excellent electronic viewfinder. The image quality is pretty good too, though there is some image smoothing when examining at 100%.
Panasonic Lumix FZ72
Sensor size: CMOS, 1/2.3-inch | Megapixels: 16.1 | Zoom range: 60x, 20-1200mm | Screen type: 3-inch fixed, 460,000 dots | Viewfinder: Yes | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 9fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p
The FZ72 has a huge zoom range with an impressively wide angle 20mm minimum focal length. Its aperture also opens up as wide as f/2.8, which is really useful for low light and for creating shallow depth of field effects.
On the plus side, image quality is good and you can shoot in raw format for extra flexibility. Of course, manual control is also available.
The screen is fixed and not touch sensitive, which is fairly disappointing, the electronic viewfinder does not have an eye sensor so you have to switch displays manually.
Nikon Coolpix P600
Sensor size: CMOS, 1/2.3-inch | Megapixels: 16.1 | Zoom range: 60x, 24-1440mm | Screen type: 3-inch articulating, 921,000 dots | Viewfinder: Yes | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 7fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p
The biggest selling point of the P600 is its long 60x zoom range. It's also shaped like a mini-DSLR and sits nicely in the hand.
But it's not all smooth sailing because there's no eye sensor for the viewfinder, and you can't shoot in raw format – both things which other cameras in this test offer.
On the plus side, you'll get images which are nice and bright directly from the camera, there's inbuilt Wi-Fi and an articulating screen, which is useful for composing shots from awkward angles.
Olympus Stylus SP-100EE
Sensor size: CMOS, 1/2.3-inch | Megapixels: 16 | Zoom range: 50x, 24-1200mm | Screen type: 3-inch fixed, 460,000 dots | Viewfinder: Yes | Maximum continuous shooting rate: 7fps | Maximum video resolution: 1080p
This is the world's only camera to feature a dot-sight to help you frame and track subjects in the distance, but the SP-100E sadly doesn't feature too many other enticing features.
The 50x zoom range is good, but there's a fixed screen, no sensor on the viewfinder and no raw format shooting.
In good light, images are bright and punchy directly from the camera - though if you examine closely, you will some image smoothing, something which many small sensor cameras are guilty of.
from TechRadar
