Bridge camera question. (1 Viewer)

After 14 years - my wife and I are heading back to Ecuador. Last time - I had a slow camera, slow film, slow lenses, and a heavy tripod. I thought it was fun. Still do. Since then ------ I've really gotten to enjoy digital, 'Point & Shoots'. The kind that fit in a pocket. I've gone through a dozen Lumix ZS3's. These - refurbished I give away to the right people.

So. Bridge Camera. ..... I love hummingbirds. We saw 57 last time. Friends there (Ecuador) are setting us up for many species. A larger element / magnification / optical lens seems the right thing.

Any recommendations?


Here's some shots with the Lumix. I'm not that concerned with detail / resolution. More - just ease and a 20 - or to 30 X optical lens.

What I have isn't broke. Just looking for some thoughts........ Chris

Hi Chris,
I currently have the Sony HX100v. I don't like it as much as the older model I dropped and broke. I have had the new one for several years now. It never had the sharpness the old one had. It's OK, but if I were you, I'd check out the Panosonic or Canon. The Panosonic people on here seem to be very happy with theirs. I don't know why Sony's new camera was not as good as the old. I really loved the first one. I'm home half the year now and my lifestyle is not as rugged as it was so I am getting a "real" camera finally. I will probably still keep an eye out for another bridge camera because they are so versatile; you can shoot a butterfly close-up and then shoot a far-away bird without lense changes.

P.S. I recommend that you DON'T get a Nikon. I bought one and it took blobs. Unfortunately, I bought it just before I left the country to get back to my boat and didn't return to the states again till past the return date. Wasted money. I will not buy anything more from Nikon.

Thanks for the reply. Sierra Nevada just opened it's 2nd brewery. North Carolina!

Chris D said:

Thanks for the reply. Sierra Nevada just opened it's 2nd brewery. North Carolina!

Click to expand...

We just finished a 10,000 mile road trip and Gene enjoyed quite a few crafted brews along the way. He is still a Torpedoite!

Lots of Bridge cameras that are worth a look. For ultimate reach the Canon SX50 is probably hard to beat. However, for rain forest work and hummingbirds on feeders I would be tempted to go for a shorter but faster lens with better performance in poor light. You still need at least 600mm equivalent so try a few cameras.

Be aware that the compromises in bridge camera design mean that they don't do well at high ISO so getting anything like a fast enough shutter speed for hummer wing beats will be impossible.

Thanks for the reply.