Nikon bridge cameras (1 Viewer)

[bonxie birder]

Apologies for yet another thread.
My starting point is that I’m not a bird photographer. I use my camera for record shots and to help with ID. I currently own a Nikon p610 and am starting to feel it’s a little dated. I am wondering if the Nikon p950 is a sufficient step up to warrant the change. I have steered clear from non bridge cameras up until now as I don’t feel the inclination to make the effort to learn how to use one and I wouldn’t know where to start looking. Any guidance would be welcome

 

[delia todd]

I’m not a bird photographer. I use my camera for record shots and to help with ID.

That's me too! I have the p900 and am delighted with it, I'm not sure I could cope with the extra reach of the P950 with the weight and extra reach of the zoom, but that's due to my own personal difficulties.

It does all I wanted of it, and the zoom is excellent. What I can't quite make out through my bins, the zoom generally copes with very well. If I still can't make out what it is through the viewfinder, I take a few pictures and then blow them up on the screen. Generally I've got the ID from that. Other times I need to download to the PC and then can zoom in some more LOL

Not sure about the 950, but the 900 has a Birdwatching mode, and you can do multishots with that. Also a wee button on the left that will hunt for a bird shape, if you've lost track of a subject in a tree for instance. Video mode is good too and records the sounds too.

You do need a good support if going to the extremes of the zoom. With mine I can lean against a tree, or rest on a friend's shoulder, roof of car.

Not sure if there's any 900s available now as the 950 superseded it then the P1000 came along, so mine is getting rather old in techie terms.

HTH

 

[Ignatius]

The P1000 was introduced in autumn 2018 and discontinued in spring 2024, afaik without a successor.

 

[Gzoladz74]

The P950 (2000mm) or P1000 (3000mm) are definitely a a few steps up over the P610 (1440mm). Not only longer max focal lenght but also other capabilities (a comparison on dpreview will provide the details).

Another options is the Sony RX10m4 which has a sensor a little bit bigger than the Nikons above but much shorter focal lenght.

If you are prepared to look at non-bridge's, be ready to:

1. Spend time learning about them, else you will not get the benefits (the triangle theory is a good start considering the difference in sensor size between the models).
2. Carry a heavier kit than any of the bridges as body+lens could weight 2-3kg (depending on the model).
3. Spend much more money on your kit (I would buy from a reputable second had seller).

 

[bonxie birder]

Not sure about the 950, but the 900 has a Birdwatching mode, and you can do multishots with that. Also a wee button on the left that will hunt for a bird shape, if you've lost track of a subject in a tree for instance. Video mode is good too and records the sounds too.

I’m intrigued by your wee button. I’ve never heard about this. Any idea what it actually does or what it’s called?

 

[delia todd]

I’m intrigued by your wee button. I’ve never heard about this. Any idea what it actually does or what it’s called?

LOL that's how it was described to me and it does seem to work. It's called the "Snap-back Zoom". If you lose track of your subject it will widen the image then zoom in again, hopefully in the middle of the frame.

It has certainly worked for me quite a few times when I've lost a bird, usually in a tree.

Described on page 21 of the Manual.

 

[GHOV02]

I just picked up a Panasonic Lumix FZ80/FZ82 and so far I'm impressed with it. I'm viewing it as a different tool for a different job and although it is never going compete with a DSLR for IQ, there are a few things it can do which surpass what my D7100 can do, like 4K and slow mo video.

 

[Gzoladz74]

I'm viewing it as a different tool for a different job

I agree with this, it is exactly what bridge cameras are and they are very good at it.

 

[bonxie birder]

I decided to go for the Nikon p950. I’m a point and shoot man, too late to go down the good camera route i.e. too lazy. I was looking for a good price for a used model, but a birdguides user pointed me towards a website where I could buy it new for £100 less than the best used price I could get. Waiting for it to arrive now!