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Buying a new camera can be a bit daunting, especially with the sheer amount of choice available.
We can help you to make the right choice for you. Feel free to pop into either of our shops for some un-biased advice, give us a ring or start a live chat here on our website during our open hours.
If you would like more help to sort your megapixels from your times table, check out our compact camera buying guide.
Everything you need to know about Bridge Cameras
If you’re not quite ready for a camera with interchangeable lenses but you’re ready to move up from a pocket point-and-shoot, a bridge camera will allow you to experience the more advanced aspects of photography without diving in at the deep end. Sometimes referred to as superzoom cameras, bridge cameras bridge the gap between the convenience of a simple compact camera and the high-end features and functionality of DSLRs (digital single-lens reflex cameras).
They may look like DSLRs, but bridge cameras have a fixed lens with a huge zoom range. It’s not unusual for a bridge camera to offer a 35mm equivalent range of 24-600mm, that will handle everything from wide-angle landscape photography to long-range telephoto work. You’ll also be able to shoot RAW images that capture much larger image files with more information, providing more scope for post-production editing. At Castle Cameras, we stock a wide range of bridge cameras to help take your photography to the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of bridge cameras?
Ease of use
Bridge cameras usually come with full manual controls so that you can take full control of the camera settings. This allows you to adjust the camera to match the shot you want. The optical zoom is also built into the camera body, meaning you won’t need to manually switch lenses. Instead, you can switch from telephoto to wide angle with the press of a button.
Zoom range
Bridge cameras offer impressive zoom capabilities. Ranging anywhere from around 40x optical zoom, to over 120x, an equivalent optical zoom on a DSLR or mirrorless camera would need a 3000mm lens!
Lighter
While usually bigger and heavier than compact cameras, bridge cameras are much smaller and lighter than DSLRs. This means you get the features and capabilities of higher-end cameras, without the bulk. And it isn’t just the camera itself that is less bulky. Lenses for DSLRs, especially those with longer focal lengths on a DSLR or mirrorless camera, tend to be heavy and bulky. Without the need for lenses, a bridge camera in comparison is lighter, more compact and a lot easier to travel with.
Affordability
A bridge camera can offer amateur photographers a chance to experience the more advanced aspects of photography without diving in the deep end financially with a DSLR. While they vary in price depending on the model and the number of features included, the simplest bridge camera models start around £500.
Bridge camera or DSLR?
There are a number of similarities between bridge cameras and DSLRs, as well as some major differences. Bridge cameras look a lot like DSLRs, with most bridge cameras looking similar in shape and size to a small DSLR with a regular lens attached. They also offer similar controls to DSLR cameras. You can choose from a range of shooting modes — from manual to fully automatic — as well as manually adjust the shutter speed, aperture, and the ISO. You can also set the camera to ‘auto’ and use it like your point-and-shoot!
The main difference between a bridge camera and a DSLR is the lens. A bridge camera has a fixed lens with a huge zoom range, while a DSLR works with an array of interchangeable lenses. There are also no mirrors inside a bridge camera, and therefore no optical viewfinder — instead you’ll see a small electronic display when you hold your eye to the viewfinder, just like on a mirrorless camera. DSLR cameras tend to be a lot heavier and bulkier than bridge cameras, especially when you factor in the additional lenses you need to carry around.
What are the best bridge cameras
Bridging the gap (sorry we had to!) between basic point-and-shoot cameras with minimal control and interchangeable lens cameras (like DSLRs and mirrorless), bridge cameras combine complete manual setting control with a fixed lens with an extremely wide zoom range. This makes them an excellent choice if you’re looking for greater control over the style and composition of your photography without worrying about the cost and logistics of multiple lenses. Because of their wide zoom capability, bridge cameras are a great choice for a wide range of photography, from family portraits to landscapes.
Best all-round bridge camera
If you are looking for a great all-round camera that will give you brilliant picture quality and 4K video then we would recommend the Lumix FZ330. It will give you 24x zoom, which is quivalent to 25-600mm, and has a f2.8 lens, which will give you beautiful blurry background on your portraits. It has quick start-up and fast auto-focus so you'll never miss a shot and is spash and dust proof, making it more rugged for taking with you on your adventures. Buy the Panasonic Lumix DSC-FZ330 here.
Best Mega Zoom Bridge Camera
Sometimes you just want to get up close and personal with the craters of the moon and for that you are going to need a really big zoom. The Nikon P950 boasts an amazing 83x zoom range, that's the equivalent of 24-2000mm. This stunning camera is also capable of taking 4K movies and is bluetooth and wi-fi compatible, so you can send the pictures straight to your phone and share them on your social media profile. Buy the Nikon Coolpix P950 here.