is bridge camera dead? Canon/other manufacturers are unwilling to come out with new one? (2 Viewers)

[baofeng]

as above. Didn't see any new release. P950 was quite old (3 years old). Sx70 was like 5 years ago

 

[Richard D]

as above. Didn't see any new release. P950 was quite old (3 years old). Sx70 was like 5 years ago

Canon don't seem to be that interested in bridge cameras. Nikon and Panasonic seem dominate the longer zoom bridges. 3 yrs isn't that long (P900 was in production for 6 or 7).

 

[etudiant]

Sony is supposed to be offering the RX10 MkV this year, with improved performance mostly thanks to better processors, but no change in optics.
Nikon is focused on rebuilding its franchise in Full Frame cameras to adapt to the mirrorless revolution, so they have no money to upgrade their bridge cameras.
Canon has similar issues and is also concerned that bridge cameras could cut into their sales of lenses, their bread and butter, so they have pretty much left that market.
In theory, a bridge camera with a moving sensor could provide both in body stabilization and improved image quality. Not confident that can be done at an acceptable cost currently.
Longer term though, the concept is compelling, one camera for all occasions rather than a plethora of lenses with narrow performance limits.

 

[njlarsen]

Sony is supposed to be offering the RX10 MkV this year, with improved performance mostly thanks to better processors, but no change in optics.
Nikon is focused on rebuilding its franchise in Full Frame cameras to adapt to the mirrorless revolution, so they have no money to upgrade their bridge cameras.
Canon has similar issues and is also concerned that bridge cameras could cut into their sales of lenses, their bread and butter, so they have pretty much left that market.
In theory, a bridge camera with a moving sensor could provide both in body stabilization and improved image quality. Not confident that can be done at an acceptable cost currently.
Longer term though, the concept is compelling, one camera for all occasions rather than a plethora of lenses with narrow performance limits.

Some of the in camera phones have improved long zoom capabilities. I am not sure if there is enough money for that market to out-compete bridge cameras. Maybe not, we will see if someone comes out with a further 5x reach.

Niels

 

[robinlanark]

My c2019 Huawei P30 Pro phone camera has a 5x optical periscope (ie sideways mounted for increased f) zoom lens. It takes reasonable observation record shots up to 50x if I'm desperate. Today there are phones that can almost do that in optical, plus they have much better processing algorithms.
But I just bought a Canon SX70HS for the 80x optical zoom (double that for digital), which is a whole 'nother world and absolutely necessary for bird observation shots in field and forest. Bonus for being relatively light and inexpensive.