Camera maximum £500 (1 Viewer)

Hi I have been searching for a camera for a while and haven't managed to a nail a favourite. Is their the perfect birdwatching camera??? If so could your recommend one please...

Bang for the buck, Panasonic dmc-fz200

Or Fuji HS50. Manual zoom makes zooming faster.

I'm loving my Canon SX50. Compact enough to take anywhere and with a 50x zoom,
Gives DSLR like performance. 0cm focus is fantastic for macro shots as well. Under £300...

The Panasonic dmc-fz200 is good, for the price, you could find the Sony rx100 as well

I don't think there is a perfect camera for any purpose - all have strengths and weaknesses. For birding one camera may have a great zoom for capturing distant birds perched on trees but another may have a much better AF and faster shot speed for birds in flight.

What I did when I bought a new bridge in March was to read various reviews of all models in my price range, compare Which? ratings and other ratings, made a comparison list/spreadsheet and picked whichever came out best, all things considered. Incidentally it was the Canon SX50. Is it perfect for birding? No, the shot speed can be a little slow. But the zoom is magnificent, as is picture quality. Taking time to compose a shot can get round the speed issue but can't compensate for poor zoom or quality. Am I happy with my choice? Absolutely!

I have had a few bridge cameras and the best one so far FOR ME - has been the SX50 like mathare