1st Birding Camera (1 Viewer)

[Ed K.]

I'm an amateur, occasional bird watcher and am thinking about getting a camera so that I can take pics of some unknown to me birds to i.d. in my book at a later time. Is there a camera that would work that would cost less than $1K? Obviously would not be using a tripod and am not sure about the need for a detachable telephoto lens. Thank you

 

[njlarsen]

I would encourage you to explore the class of cameras known as bridge cameras. There are popular entrants into this class from Canon, Nikon and Panasonic. As I have moved on to a larger sensor camera I will not go into details with advantages of each.
Niels

 

[MelospizaMelodiaFan]

I echo the bridge camera recommendation. Have a look at this thread to see what other folks use and they results they get: Bridge Camera Photography Showcase

 

[Ed K.]

I would encourage you to explore the class of cameras known as bridge cameras. There are popular entrants into this class from Canon, Nikon and Panasonic. As I have moved on to a larger sensor camera I will not go into details with advantages of each.
Niels

OK, thanks

 

[Gzoladz74]

Yes, for your use case, bridge cameras sound ideal. Nikon P1000 or P950 would be best IMHO

 

[GHOV02]

I have gone through a lot of cameras in search for an answer to your question and in my opinion it's the Sony RX10 IV. If you don't want to spend that much then it's the Panasonic FZ300

 

[Ignatius]

The FZ300 has a tiny sensor. The FZ1000 has a 1" sensor. This will give better images despite having a nominally shorter FF-equivalent zoom.

 

[Gzoladz74]

The sensor size vs reach is down to shooting and lighting conditions (I am referring to comparable superzooms compact vs 1', not to full frame bodies with 600mm F4 kits).

For a stationary subject located very far with very good light, a compact sensor camera with very long reach will deliver better results than a 1'.
For a subject located closer and/or action shot and/or not ideal lighting condition, a 1' sensor camera will deliver better results than a compact.

 

[luxBorealis–TerryMcDonald]

Something to consider: an M43 system, specifically, the OM-1 w/ M.Zuiko 100-400mm lens—which is the full-frame equivalent of 200-800mm. I recently wrote an article about my journey from full frame to M43; it’s published on the Luminous-Landscape.com (paywalled but only $12/year) or you can read the full article on my blog.
As background, I’ve gone the full route including the Sony RX-10iii—an excellent bridge camera but too slow to focus with birds— and Nikon full frame which simply was simply too large and heavy of a system to enjoy bird photography and have quick reaction times.
The OM system really hit the sweet spot because of its high image quality, lighter weight, more compact, and industry-leading stabilization. My whole kit of 3 zooms that cover 16mm to 800mm (equivalent field of view) plus a 60mm macro lens (120mm efov) fits into a small LowePro sling bag, weighing in at less than 5kg and counts as my ‘personal bag’ on air flights along with my a carry-on. As I said, it’s the sweetest spot.

 

[Swissboy]

If one goes the Sony RX10 way, it has to be the Mark4 (RX10IV) model. That one excels with its superb focus speed.