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Best bridge camera 2019: 10 cameras that pack huge zoom lenses

By on March 28, 2019 in Reviews

Looking for the best bridge camera? With huge zoom lenses and DSLR-style handling, they're a popular choice for many. Here's our pick of the top ten models out there.

Bridge cameras are a versatile and affordable alternative to DSLRs. They offer many of the same manual controls (as well as a host of easy-to-use auto modes) plus a huge built-in zoom lens that covers everything from wide-angle to super-telephoto photography. 

This makes bridge cameras a great all-on-one solution, especially if you want to travel relatively light, as you'll have one camera that's great for shooting expansive landscapes as well as tightly framed subjects like wildlife.

There are two important differences to be aware of, though. The first is that bridge cameras have much smaller sensors than DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, so most can't match those models for picture quality. If that's your key concern, stick with one of these options.

The second is that the lens is non-removable on a bridge camera, so although it can handle a wide range of subjects you can't swap to a macro lens for close-ups, for example, or a super-wide-angle lens, or a fast prime lens for low-light photography.

If you're not quite sure what kind of camera you need, read our essential guide: What camera should I buy?

Bridge cameras do, however, give you 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 now a few models that have larger sensors and deliver better picture quality, and which come a lot closer to the performance of a DSLR.

This is our pick of the best bridge cameras you can buy right now…

Before we look at our ten best bridge cameras, let's take a quick look at this great value option from Panasonic. Launched back in 2015, the Lumix FZ300 (known as the Lumix FZ330 outside the US) it's now getting on a bit, but that makes it an even better buy. The 25-600mm is pretty typical for a bridge camera, but what's impressive is the constant f/2.8 maximum aperture – really useful when you're shooting at the longer end of the zoom range. There's also a splash-resistant body, while there's also a vari-angle touchscreen and high resolution electronic viewfinder. That's not forgetting Wi-Fi connectivity and a decent image stabilization system. A great budget buy for the novice or enthusiast photographer.   

Best bridge cameras in 2019

For those looking for a powerful all-in-one solution, the RX10 IV is the best camera out there. Featuring a huge 24-600mm f/2.4-4 zoom lens, the RX10 IV builds on the RX10 III with an overhauled AF system that now does justice to the rest of the camera, while the 1-inch, 20.1MP sensor is capable of achieving excellent levels of detail. It's quite bulky for a bridge camera, and there's no getting away from the hefty price, but the RX10 IV is virtually in a league of its own. 

The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 (known as the FZ2500 in the US) uses a 1-inch sensor, and while the zoom tops out at 480mm equivalent, which is relatively short for a bridge camera, that's still plenty for all but the most extreme everyday use. We'd certainly sacrifice a little zoom range for better and faster optics, and we love the FZ2000 because it delivers both image quality and zoom range. If you're looking for something a bit cheaper, the older FZ1000 (below) is also worth a look.

FZ1000

The Lumix FZ1000's 16x optical zoom is less than that of typical bridge cameras, but that's due to its sizeable 1-inch sensor, which 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 aperture at the wide-angle end, which narrows to a still-respectable f/4 at full zoom. This helps you capture shots in low light without resorting to high ISO sensitivities, while 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 to make the FZ1000 one of our top picks.

Sony RX10 III

If you can live without the advanced AF system and other performance advantages offered by the RX10 IV, the RX10 III is still worth a look. The design is pretty much identical to the RX10 IV, and you've got the same 24-600mm f/2.4-4 lens. What's the compromise? Well, the AF is a bit pedestrian compared to the latest model, while there's no touchscreen control or the ability to shoot at an impressive 24fps. With the arrival of the newer model, you might be able to track down one of these at a decent price.

The PowerShot SX70 HS is a more conventional bridge camera than our top four choices, as it uses a smaller 1/2.3-inch sensor, enabling a huge 65x optical zoom range. It's still offers full manual control, though, plus an articulated screen (though it lacks touchscreen control), a great electronic viewfinder and the ability to shoot in raw. In-built 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, while the image stabilisation system does well to keep captures at the telephoto extreme relatively sharp, although wide-angle results and anything captured indoors at moderate ISO settings and above are noticeably worse. A good autofocus performance and speedy operation make it a pleasure to shoot with.

The Lumix FZ80 (known as the Lumix FZ82 outside the US) might be one of the most affordable bridge cameras here, but it still packs quite a punch. The zoom range is very impressive, going from an ultra-wide 20mm through to a staggering 1200mm, and benefits from an effective image stabilization system. There's also 4K recording with Panasonic's 4K Photo, which can shoot 8MP images at 30fps, meaning you should never miss that split-second moment. It's also very easy to use, with an intuitive touchscreen. The viewfinder could be better (and there's no eye sensor to automatically switch between the viewfinder and rear screen), while high-ISO performance can't match that of larger-sensor (and more expensive) rivals. That said, this is one of the best budget bridge cameras around.

Nikon Coolpix P900

Thought the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS's 65x zoom was the limit for optical zoom range? Think again. Nikon has rewritten the rule book in this department, with the P900's incredible 83x lens currently earning it the accolade of world's longest-zoom bridge camera. Such a massive lens does make this one hefty snapper, however. Features include Wi-Fi with NFC pairing and an articulating screen. Image quality can't match the pricier 1-inch rivals, but if a long zoom is your main concern, the P900 certainly gets the job done.

Panasonic Lumix FZ72

The Lumix FZ70 (Lumix FZ72 outside the US) is one of the cheapest bridge cameras in our selection, and has since been replaced by the FZ80 / FZ82 (see above), but 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, while 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.

The Coolpix P1000 is the follow-up to the P900 and stretches what we’ve come to expect from superzoom cameras that bit further. The reason is the lens, with the P1000 packing in a massive 125x optical zoom range equivalent to 24-3000mm in 35mm terms, it has the potential to home in on the most distant subjects you’d realistically want to capture, be it wildlife or the Moon. If you absolutely need a camera with a 3000mm-equivalent lens, the fact that the P1000 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 HX400V

Sony's premium superzoom bridge camera is closely matched with the Panasonic FZ72, but it loses out to that camera due to its higher price, JPEG-only image capture and lesser zoom range. The HX400V 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. Some image smoothing is visible when images are viewed at 100%, but that's a common trait amongst small-sensor bridge cameras.

Yes, yet another Sony, but for good reason. This is where the RX10 line began its life five years ago, and Sony has kept it alive for those don't need the fancy tricks or mammoth zoom lens of its other offerings, but just want a decent travel camera that won't cost a fortune. The 1in sensor and 24-200mm-equivalent f/2.8 lens will still cover many eventualities, while the weather-resistant magnesium alloy body should help to keep it protected in all manner of conditions. There's no 4K video, but Wi-Fi with NFC, together with a built-in ND filter, 10fps burst shooting and a titling LCD show it to still be competitively specced, even today.

Read our in-depth: Sony RX10 review

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