Bridge Cameras: Top 10 Best Recommendations for 2022

In today’s article I bring you a list with the 10 best bridge cameras for all budgets. I am aware that they are great unknowns, although they are becoming popular, so before showing you the list with the recommendations, I will answer the most frequently asked questions about this type of camera, so that you do not have any doubts and you can check if this is the ideal type of camera for you. Because not everyone needs an SLR 😉

What is a bridge camera?

The cameras bridge (bridge in English) are the cameras that are between the compact and the reflex or the EVIL (without mirror).

Bridge Camera Features

Their main characteristics is that they have, like the compact ones, a non-interchangeable lens, although with a large zoom; but its body is more like a small SLR. They have an electronic viewfinder and a small sensor, for example, 1/2.3″.

What are the advantages of a Bridge camera?

The main advantage of these bridge cameras is the versatility. With them you can photograph from an insect to the moon or any other subject that is very far away. They usually have some really amazing zooms. In fact, some have unthinkable focal lengths for a reflex lens or mirrorless.

This brings another main advantage, the economical and it is that you do not have to be investing in new objectives. You buy a camera and that’s it. In addition, they usually have quite affordable prices.

What are the drawbacks of Bridge cameras?

The size of the sensor is its Achilles heel. But it’s the price to pay for the rest of the features and this is not a camera to achieve professional quality images.

In this camera, versatility prevails over quality.

Another drawback is that they do not have an optical viewfinder, but an electronic one. For many people it is not an inconvenience, but there are those who prefer the optician.

Who are Bridge cameras for?

The ideal user of bridge cameras You’re the amateur photographer looking for a camera that allows you to be creative and control settings manually, but doesn’t want to keep switching lenses. He is an all-terrain user, who just as enjoys photographing a mushroom as a bird flying in the distance or a street scene and who also values ​​light equipment, a all in onebut with which you can shoot in manual or semi-manual mode.

Bridge cameras are designed to nature (especially bird) photographers, street photographers, travel photographers or enthusiast photographers. The higher zoom ones are also ideal for detectives and paparazzi.

If you’re looking for a camera with bridge features but also fits in your pocket, check out these compacts with incredibly long zooms.

And if you doubt between a bridge or an EVIL (without a mirror), in this article you will see the differences and the advantages and disadvantages of one and the other.

What to look for when buying a Bridge camera?

These are the aspects that you should take into account when buying a bridge camera:

1. Sensor size. We have already mentioned that the sensors are quite small, but if you hesitate between two cameras with similar characteristics and one of them has a larger sensor, this is an important point to keep in mind.
2. Goal. You will not be able to change the lens, so you are interested in getting it right. They are usually extremely versatile, but some have more range than others or one focal distance more espacious. Make sure it covers the range you want based on the pictures you’d like to take. It is also important that you take into account the maximum opening of the lens, the lower the f/number, the larger the maximum aperture and therefore the brighter it will be. Keep in mind that the maximum aperture usually varies depending on the focal length.
   • Let’s see an example, one of the cameras in the list that you will see below has a 20-1200mm f/2.8-5.9 lens. That means that its focal length ranges from 20mm to 1200mm (by looking at the graph you can get an idea of ​​its versatility and range) and that at 20mm the maximum aperture will be f/2.8 and at 1200mm it will be f/5.9.

3. Stabilizer. The greater the zoom it offers, the more need for a stabilizer you will need, especially for when you are not going to use a tripod. They usually have it integrated, but make sure that it is so if you plan to use long focal lengths (a lot of zoom).
4. Viewfinder. There are those who do not mind looking through the screen, but if you are looking through the viewfinder, keep in mind that not all bridge cameras have it.
5. LCD screen. Think about whether you want it to be articulated or not and if you care about the size.
6. Size and weight. If you are looking for a light camera, this point should not be overlooked. Like the size, it will depend on your hands and how comfortable it is for you.
7. Others. Depending on your needs or interests, see if it has wifi connectivity, especially if you like to immediately share the photos on social networks. The connectivity to be able to connect the camera to a device such as Smartphone, iPad, etc. is also interesting. This way you can control the camera remotely. The gps It is a point highly valued by travel or landscape photographers. If it’s important to you, keep that in mind.

Top 10 Bridge Cameras

Now yes, if you think this is your ideal type of camera, and you are wondering which bridge camera to buy, these are ours recommendations designed for different types of photographer and budgets:

Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ82

This Lumix records in 4K and has a range equivalent to 1200mm, which will delight those who want to really go far. Perfect for those who chase the moon and its craters. Among its main features it has 18 megapixelsmaximum opening between f/2.8 and 5.9, optical stabilizer and connection Wifi.

It incorporates a function Focus stacking that allows you to choose the focus point after taking the photo. You can also take a video and select the frame you like the most.

• Weight: approx 616g
• Dimensions: 130.2 x 94.3 x 119.2mm

You can see sample photos and full specifications of this Lumix DC-FZ82 in our camera encyclopedia.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300

Unlike the previous Panasonic model, this camera only reaches 600mmHowever, their maximum opening It remains in f/2.8 throughout the range, so if you are looking for brightness above range, this is the best option for you. Furthermore, it is water and dust resistant. Among its main features are the system of noise reduction, video recording in 4k and the optical stabilizer with 5-axis compensation (working in movie recording mode, except for high-speed or 4K movie recording).

• Weight: 691g with battery and SD memory card
• Dimensions: 131.6 x 91.5 x 117.1mm

Here you can see the complete specifications and sample photos.

Nikon Coolpix P500

If you want a bridge for everything and extremely cheap, this is yours.

sensor 16MP (1/2.3″), wide focal range lens (23-900mm)burst shooting at 7 fps, wireless connectivity and remote control with smartphone, vibration reduction, Full HD videos or flip screen are some of its features.

Weight: 542g
Dimensions: 113.5 x 78.3 x 94.9mm

Nikon Coolpix P900

18 megapixel bridge camera, with equivalent focal length between 24mm and 2000mm, maximum opening of f/2.8 to f/6.5, Connection Wi-Fi and NFC, vibration reduction, macro mode with focus from 1cm, viewfinder, flip screen Y GPS.

• Weight: Approx. 899 g (including battery and memory card)
• Dimensions: Approx. 139.5 x 103.2 x 137.4mm

As you can see, its biggest drawback is its weight and that it doesn’t record in 4k.

Lunatics, you’re in luck… this highly detailed photograph of the moon was taken with a Nikon Coolpix P900:

357.0mm, 1/80s, f/6.5, ISO 100.

You can see the full specifications on the Nikon page.

If this model sounds interesting to you, take a look at the Nikon Coolpix P1000, it is the new version, therefore more expensive, but with a focal length of 3000mm. Can you believe it?

And if you want to know more about Nikon cameras, here you will find its entire catalog, objectives and curiosities.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000