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Best camera for wildlife photography in 2024 | Digital Camera World
The best camera for wildlife photography · 1. Nikon Coolpix P950 · 2. Canon EOS R10 · 3. Canon EOS R5 · 4. Sony A9 III · 5. Nikon Z9 · 6. Canon EOS ...
Jun 28, 2024
bridge cameras
I would say that the most important consideration of all, though, is lens selection. This isn't a consideration with <anchor>bridge cameras</anchor>, which have integrated lenses featuring zoom ranges that standard cameras can only dream of – making them clear winners in the most crucial category.
The best bridge camera in 2024 | Digital Camera World
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# The best bridge camera in 2024: ultra-zoom cameras for far off subjects

last updated 30 June 2024

The best bridge camera will deliver high-quality images, have a relatively big zoom, and DSLR-style handling

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Sony RX10 IV bridge camera being held in a reviewer&#039;s hand

(Image credit: Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)

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The best bridge camera combines the convenience of a compact camera with the zoom of a telephoto lens and the ergonomics of a DSLR. In fact they look and feel pretty similar to a DSLR, but they have a fixed lens and usually a massive zoom range – sometimes all the way up to 3000mm, which is a lens doesn't even exist for a traditional camera system!

This hybrid performance makes the best bridge cameras great for capturing wildlife, sports, or even astrophotography – and they won't cost you the earth. The enormous zoom covers everything from wide-angle landscape shots to detailed images of a single bird in the distance. Combined with fast burst speeds and 4K video, this can make them perfect for family, travel, and animal photography – but the massive zoom capability comes with a few compromises.

The main one is that image sensors in bridge cameras are smaller than those in the best DSLRs and best mirrorless cameras. They generally offer lower resolution, have less dynamic range and don't perform as well in low light. The fixed lens offers huge zoom, but doesn't shoot genres like macro photography – and combined with the smaller sensor, makes it harder to blur backgrounds for things like portraits.

Despite the limitations, bridges are still incredibly useful. You get a whole lot of bang for your buck and they put a lot of power in the hands of even inexperienced cameras users. Here are the best bridge cameras based on size, features, zoom reach, portability, and price…

James Artaius

James Artaius

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Editor, Digital Camera World

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has over 20 years’ experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). As one of DCW's principal testers, he has a thorough and detailed knowledge of the cameras selected for this guide.

### The Quick List

Sony RX10 IV

This premium bridge camera outperforms its rivals, as it has a larger sensor than usually found on bridge cameras. It also has a great autofocus system, which is useful for shooting action & wildlife.

Nikon Coolpix P1000

This is big, bulky bridge camera - but in return gives the biggest-ever built-in zoom range. It's telephoto range is so phenomenal it is used by security services for surveillance!

Kodak Pixpro AZ528

Kodak has a number of bridge cameras, which offer you a huge built-in lens range for a lower price than its Japanese rivals. With a 52x zoom, the price for this model is almost hard to believe.

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

Bridge cameras are necessarily big compared to standard compact cameras. But this Canon is a good looking option that is smaller than many of its rivals, weighing 600g, and measuring 5 x 3.6 x 4.6in.

Nikon Coolpix P950

This is the predecessor to the monster record-setting P1000, but because of this has now been discounted to a bargain price. But still it boast a phenomenal 83x zoom (equivalent to a 24-2000mm).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000

Sold as the FZ2500 in America, and as the FZ2000 in Europe, this is our pick if you want to use a bridge camera primarily to shoot video rather than stills. It offers full 4K shooting with the handy addition of a built-in variable ND filter.

## Best bridge cameras in 2024

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

### Best image quality

Sony RX10 IV on stone and moss surface

(Image credit: Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)

### 1. Sony RX10 IV

Best bridge camera for image quality

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#### Specifications

Type: Superzoom compact

Sensor: 1in

Megapixels: 20.1MP

Lens: 24-600mm (equiv) f/2.4-4

LCD: 3in tilting screen, 1.44million dots

Viewfinder: EVF, 2.36million dots

Continuous shooting: 24fps

Movies: 4K and Full HD

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#### Reasons to buy

+ Phase detect AF system
+ Great still/video quality
+ Excellent lens

#### Reasons to avoid

- Very expensive

Buy it if

✅ You want big zoom AND great image quality: The combination of 25x optical zoom and a relatively large 1-inch-type sensor makes the RX10 IV a superb all-round performer.

Don't buy it if:

❌ Your budget is tight: The RX10 IV is very expensive for a bridge camera - there are other options on this list that perform almost as well, but cost a lot less.

Even though the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV is the most expensive camera on our list, it has a high price tag for a reason. The most exciting upgrade from the RX10 III is the 315-point phase-detect AF system, which makes it much better at tracking moving subjects. It's also the first RX10 with a touchscreen.

Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity make it possible to share images to your smartphone on the move and, while the 24-600mm lens might not offer the biggest focal range, the fantastic 1-inch Sony sensor delivers arguably the best image quality of any camera here.

It's capable of 24fps continuous burst shooting as well as 4K video, making it a versatile and powerful all-round performer – even though you'll need to dig a little deeper into your funds.

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Lab resultsScoreRatingResolution (ISO 200)24/60★★Dynamic range (ISO 200)11.37 EV★★★★Noise (ISO 200)37.48 decibels★★★★

Sony RX10 IV: Price Comparison

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### Biggest zoom

Nikon P1000 camera held in hands

(Image credit: Nikon)

### 2. Nikon P1000

Best bridge camera for reach (with a huge 3000mm zoom!)

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#### Specifications

Type: Superzoom compact

Sensor: 1/2.3in

Megapixels: 16MP

Lens: 24-3000mm (equiv.) f/2.8-8

LCD: 3in articulating, 921k dots

Viewfinder: EVF, 2,359k dots

Maximum continuous shooting rate: 7fps

Movies: 4K UHD

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#### Reasons to buy

+ Five-stop VR system
+ Interplanetary zoom range
+ 4K video

#### Reasons to avoid

- Loses sharpness at full zoom
- Huge size

Buy it if

✅ You want ALL the zoom! The P1000 is practically a telescope - its zoom range is unrivalled, and may never be beaten. The optical image stabilization therefore needs to be good, and thankfully it is.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're expecting the last word in image quality: At the heart of this big beast is a tiny image sensor - smaller than in most current camera phones. Consequently image quality is mediocre at best.

I've never owned a bridge camera in my life, but as soon as I used the P1000 I knew that I wanted one! For me, the all-in-one zoom range is the most important thing on a bridge – and at its max zoom, the Nikon P1000 has an astonishing 3000mm focal length. Even if such a lens were available for a mirrorless camera (and even if it was affordable), the ability to go from shooting at 24mm all the way to 3000mm in a matter of seconds, without having to switch lenses, it simply incredible.

When shooting at the telephoto end, you do lose 3 full stops – taking the aperture down from a solid f/2.8 to a less impressive f/8. And at longer focal lengths there is a noticeable softness in images, even with the best camera technique (aided by impressive image stabilization). This isn't helped by the sensor being a relatively small 1/2.3-inch affair, and just 16MP at that.

Still, the P1000 boasts a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, 4K video capabilities and it shoots in RAW – and did I mention that its maximum zoom is three thousand millimeters? Okay, it's a high price for not a lot of sensor, but if range is your top priority then there's nothing better out there.

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Lab resultsScoreRatingResolution (ISO 200)Not testedRow 0 - Cell 2 Dynamic range (ISO 200)9.17 EV★★Noise (ISO 200)25.29 decibels★★

Nikon Coolpix P1000: Price Comparison

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### Cheapest option

Kodak PIXPRO AZ528 superzoom digital camera on wooden surface

(Image credit: Gavin Stoker / Digital Camera World)

### 3. Kodak Pixpro AZ528

The best bridge camera from Kodak

☆☆☆☆☆

#### Specifications

Type: Superzoom compact

Sensor: 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS

Megapixels: 16MP

Lens: 52x optical zoom (24-1248mm equivalent)

LCD: 3-inch LCD, 460k dot, fixed

Viewfinder: No

Movies: 1080P FHD

Size: 121.3 x 85.8 x 97.5 mm

Weight: 508g

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#### Reasons to buy

+ Built-in pop-up flash
+ Optical image stabilization
+ Huge focal length

#### Reasons to avoid

- Superzoom lens results aren’t quite as pin sharp as lesser focal lengths
- Fixed, non-angle adjustable LCD
- No eye-level optical viewfinder or EVF
- Plastic-y build

Buy it if

✅ You want big zoom for a small outlay: The Pixpro AZ528 delivers a huge amount of optical zoom for a very reasonable price.

Don't buy it if:

❌ Image quality is a high priority: Image quality is fine, but nothing special. Images get softer the more you zoom in, and that's if you can hold the camera steady enough in the first place!

Kodak continues to play to a niche but potentially still a sizeable audience of photographers who competing brands have moved on from, with the Pixpro AZ528 all-in-one ‘superzoom’ while others have abandoned the area.

The huge 52x zoom still comes in very handy not just for budding wildlife photographers but also for casual sports photography fans, which makes this an incredibly versatile camera. However, it’s still saddled with a small-ish sensor and any camera like this means softer results when shooting handheld the further we creep towards its maximum zoom setting.

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Lab resultsScoreRatingResolution (ISO 200)Not testedRow 0 - Cell 2 Dynamic range (ISO 200)Not testedRow 1 - Cell 2 Noise (ISO 200)Not testedRow 2 - Cell 2

Kodak PIXPRO AZ528: Price Comparison

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### Best for portability

Canon Powershot SX70 HS camera on a white background

(Image credit: Future)

### 4. Canon PowerShot SX70 HS

The best bridge camera from Canon

☆☆☆☆☆

#### Specifications

Type: Superzoom compact

Sensor: 1/2.3in

Megapixels: 20.3MP

Lens: 21-1365mm (equiv.) f/3.4-6.5

LCD: 3in articulating, 922k dots

Viewfinder: EVF, 2,360k dots

Maximum continuous shooting rate: 10/5.7fps

Movies: 4K UHD

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#### Reasons to buy

+ Very good zoom range
+ Relatively compact for its type
+ Vari-angle screen

#### Reasons to avoid

- Only 5.7fps with servo AF

Buy it if

✅ It's just got to be Canon: Canon no longer develops new bridge cameras, and the SX70 HS is its last bridge model standing. It's not a bad camera, but newer rivals have outclassed it.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want maximum bang per buck: Apart from its big 65x zoom range, the aging SX70 HS no longer excels in any one area - you'll get better value elsewhere.

On paper, the SX70 HS looks a close rival to the Panasonic FZ2500 (below), offering a slightly longer maximum zoom and nearly matching the Panasonic's wide-angle setting. But its f/3.4-6.5 maximum aperture range is on the low side and its 20MP resolution can't overcome the limitations of the small 1/2.3-inch sensor size.

The SX70 does handle well and it's not that big for a bridge camera, but the opposition has moved on, with bigger zoom ranges, bigger sensors, or lower price points. The SX70 HS offers solid enough specifications but at a price point that makes its rivals look more tempting.

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Lab resultsScoreRatingResolution (ISO 200)Not testedRow 0 - Cell 2 Dynamic range (ISO 200)Not testedRow 1 - Cell 2 Noise (ISO 200)Not testedRow 2 - Cell 2

Canon PowerShot SX70 HS: Price Comparison

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### Best overall value

Nikon P950

(Image credit: Future)

### 5. Nikon P950

Nikon's best bridge camera if you only need ridiculous reach, rather than absurd!

#### Specifications

Type: Superzoom compact

Sensor: 1/2.3in

Megapixels: 16MP

Lens: 24-2000mm (equiv.) f/2.8-6.5

LCD: 3in articulating, 921k dots

Viewfinder: EVF, 2,360k dots

Maximum continuous shooting rate: 7fps

Movies: 4K UHD 30P

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#### Reasons to buy

+ Raw shooting option
+ 83x zoom range

#### Reasons to avoid

- Sharpness drops off when zoomed in

Buy it if

✅ You want a competent all-rounder: The P950 offers a good blend of long zoom (83x), acceptable image quality, manageable bulk, and 4K video capability.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You're expecting stellar image quality: Like most bridge cameras, the P950 uses a surprisingly small sensor. Image quality is no better than a camera phone's, and in many cases it'll be noticeably worse.

The Coolpix P950 was a successor to the P900, and showed Nikon's ambition to have the biggest zoom on a bridge camera – a record-breaking baton now held by its bigger brother the Coolpix P1000 (above). Nonetheless, the lens on the P950 remains impressive, boasting 83x optical zoom with an equivalent focal length range of 24-2000mm – and if this somehow isn't enough for you, it can be digitally extended to 4000mm.

The P950 added a lot of features that people felt were missing or subpar on the P900: it improves the viewfinder, adds RAW capture and ups the maximum video resolution to 4K. The only reason it's not further up the list is its small sensor size – and that it now stands somewhat in the shadow of the P1000.

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Lab resultsScoreRatingResolution (ISO 200)Not testedRow 0 - Cell 2 Dynamic range (ISO 200)Not testedRow 1 - Cell 2 Noise (ISO 200)Not testedRow 2 - Cell 2

Nikon P950: Price Comparison

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### Best for video

Panasonic FZ2500 camera on a white background

(Image credit: Panasonic)

### 6. Panasonic Lumix FZ2500 / FZ2000

The best bridge camera for video

☆☆☆☆☆

#### Specifications

Type: Superzoom compact

Sensor: 1in type

Megapixels: 20.1MP

Lens: 24-480mm (equiv) f/2.8-4.5

Viewfinder: EVF, 2.36million dots

LCD: 3in vari-angle touchscreen, 1.04million dots

Max burst speed: 12fps (30fps at reduced resolution)

Movies: 4K and Full HD

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#### Reasons to buy

+ Excellent control over video
+ Great overall image quality
+ Good burst mode

#### Reasons to avoid

- Sony RX10 lens is better

Buy it if

✅ You want better than average stills and video quality: Like the Sony RX10 IV (above), the FZ2500 uses a relatively large 1-inch-type sensor, giving decent image quality for a bridge camera. DCI 4K video quality is another welcome bonus.

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want mega zoom reach: 20x optical zoom should be plenty for most situations, but on paper it's massively outclassed by some rivals, though they can only achieve the extra zoom by using a smaller, inferior image sensor.

Panasonic won many people over with the FZ1000, with its 1-in sensor, 25-400mm (Equiv.) f/2.8-4 zoom lens, 4K video, and masses of control making it a fine DSLR alternative. The FZ2500 (sold as the FZ2000 in Europe) delivers plenty more, including a slightly longer lens, touch-screen control, and an electronic viewfinder with a slightly higher magnification than before, but it's in the video where Panasonic has made the most significant improvements.

So, here we get DCI 4K video and a variable ND filter, for example, although the latter can, of course, be used for stills too. The lack of weather sealing is a pity, but its falling price, together with the occasional cashback deal, makes it a brilliant-value competitor to models in Sony's RX10 series.

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Lab resultsScoreRatingResolution (ISO 200)Not testedRow 0 - Cell 2 Dynamic range (ISO 200)Not testedRow 1 - Cell 2 Noise (ISO 200)Not testedRow 2 - Cell 2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000: Price Comparison

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### How to choose the best bridge cameras

Firstly, you need to decide on how to balance the size of the camera you want to carry to the range of the zoom. While a bigger sensor is advantageous, it does mean that often you'll have a smaller zoom range so you'll need to decide what's more important - image quality or the amount you can zoom. Depending on what you plan on shooting most will determine what should be more important. If you are investing in a bridge camera to take on Safari, for example, it might be a good idea to opt for something with the biggest zoom range possible but if you want a versatile, all-rounder and can forgo a 1000mm zoom I'd definitely opt for image quality.

You'll also need to think about how much you're willing to spend. The bigger sensors do come at a higher price tag but often have features that make it worth it. For this reason, we've split the guide into 1-inch sensor bridge cameras with a smaller zoom range and 1/2.3-inch sensor bridge cameras with a massive zoom range and average picture quality.

### Best bridge cameras: FAQs

### What's the best bridge camera to buy?

There's no doubt that the 20.1MP, 1-inch sensor Sony RX10 IV is the "best" bridge camera right now in terms of image quality – but it has a much more limited zoom range than its rivals. Which isn't to belittle its still-amazing 24-600mm range, as that is definitely more than enough for most people!

However, for me, the Nikon P1000 is definitely where I'd put my money. Yes it's only 16MP and yes it's only a 1/2.3-inch sensor, but its zoom range is an absolutely absurd 24-3000mm. After using this to photograph wild animals, trust me – you'll be sold (provided you don't need to print your images too big). If you want to save money, the older Nikon P950 with a slightly less zoom is better value, as it is now heavily discounted

For an all-round performer, you can't go far wrong with the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS. It still rocks a 1/2.3-inch sensor but packs 20.3MP of resolution, and a 21-1365mm zoom that offers good wide-angle and telephoto capabilities - but in a camera that is smaller than many of its bridge rivals.

### What is a bridge camera?

The aptly named bridge camera bridges the gap between DSLRs and compact cameras. They have bigger bodies, non-interchangeable lenses with massive zoom ranges, and small(ish) sensors. When bridge cameras first came out, they had really small 1/2.3-inch sensors, like the kind you find in the best point-and-shoot cameras.

However, these days brands such as Sony, Panasonic, and Canon make bridge cameras that have a larger, 1-inch sensor. They offer better image quality and better low-light performance but these features come at a price.

### Is a bridge camera good for wildlife photography?

Bridge cameras can be some of the best cameras for wildlife photography. The incredible zoom range they offer means they are fantastic all-in-one tools that go from close-ups shots in one instant to telephoto shots the next – making them more flexible than any DSLR or mirrorless camera setup, even if you could afford the equivalent lenses.

The only thing to be aware of is the sensor size of bridge cameras. Because they tend to top out at 1-inch, they simply can't offer the same resolution, fidelity or performance. If you want to blow your pictures up into huge prints, especially working in low light, a traditional camera will offer better quality. But for online use, social media sharing and photo books, bridge cameras are very formidable.

### What is the best bridge camera brand?

Most of the big brands make bridge cameras, and they all offer good performance – so it really depends on what you're looking for. The Sony RX10 IV is considered to boast the best image quality, Panasonic's bridge cameras possess all-around performance, while Nikon's P1000 and P950 are the best in terms of zoom range.

### How we test the best bridge cameras

We test bridge cameras in real-world conditions - using the camera to shoot images in a range of different lighting conditions to see how they perform. Our team of reviewers has collectively tested hundreds of different models - and benchmark performance against results from current rivals and previous models. We pay particular attention to overall image quality - and to the detail captured in particular throughout the zoom range. These cameras are designed to be easy to use, so we also pay special attention to the ergonomics and handling of each of the models we test.

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James Artaius

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Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.

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