Camera recommendations for beginner birder

Welcome to the world of birding/bird photography!

I tend to advise against bridge cameras for serious bird photography. The main reason is that they're relatively slow to focus/zoom and can be very frustrating when shooting birds in-flight. I think a bridge camera like a Nikon Coolpix 1000 is fine you're primarily shooting birds (or other subjects) that aren't moving much, but pretty frustrating when the bird's flying—especially if it's flying fast or erratically.

I know people who get excellent photos with the Coolpix 1000. The RX10 IV you mentioned is also an excellent camera, but its [optical] focal length is limiting for birds that are farther away. BTW: pay attention to "optical zoom" and not "digital zoom" (aka "empty magnification").

I think your big decisions are what you're shooting and your long-term plans. I've been with people who are delighted with their RX10 IV and Coolpix 1000 cameras and have no plans to go beyond what they can do. The Coolpix 1000 is a big, heavy, capable camera, while the RX10 IV is compact, light, and capable. So another big decision for you is how much size/weight you're willing to carry (and for how long/far).

If you're thinking of making photography (bird or otherwise) a serious hobby, then consider waiting until you can afford a reasonable interchangeable lens camera like a Sony Alpha 6000 series or better or one of the newer Canon or Nikon mirrorless cameras ($$$-$$$$), PLUS several lenses (= size + weight + cost).

If you're willing to work on your technique now and are OK with some frustration, then consider a superzoom bridge camera. Of those I've seen at my workshops, the Coolpix 1000, although an "older" camera, is pretty darn good.

Last suggestion: if possible, try renting/borrowing (or at least handling in a store) the camera(s) you're considering. Each has strengths/weaknesses that you won't be aware of until you actually touch the beast.

Don’t hesitate in getting the Sony RX10 mkIV.
You won’t get anything in your price range which will do better. Although you talk of it being larger than what you are used to it gives you amazing capabilities in a small, light package.
I’ve not got one, as I lug a heavy full frame kit around but I shot next to a friend using one and for images to be viewed on screen the difference was surprisingly small. I wonder often why I don’t get one!
Check out some of the pictures taken with it posted by windoze accessible from this link https://www.dpreview.com/members/0640238015/forums/recent

The Sony RX10 IV is an excellent camera, but it has no more "reach" than your current camera, both give a maximum FF FOV (field of view) equivalent to 600mm. The Sony does have a larger sensor, so you should get better IQ.

The Coolpix 1000 will significantly extend your FF equivalent FOV with the same size sensor as your FZ300. If stationary targets are your primary interest, this would probably be an easy way to increase the reach of your camera.

You could switch to an ILC camera and have a larger sensor with better IQ and better performance with moving targets, but lenses with more than your current 600mm FF FOV will be larger, heavier and more expensive.

Others may be able to give you specific recommendations for an APS ILC camera which could be paired with one of the 150-600mm zoom lenses (maximum 900mm FF equivalent FOV).

You could get an mFTs camera like the OM E-M5.3 for about $1000, but either the Olympus 100-400 or the Panasonic 100-400 lenses (maximum 800mm FF equivalent FOV) would cost about $1500.

At some point (as you get better and better) you're going to want as much reach as possible which will likely mean ILC. You might consider a used MFT camera as a next step.

As you get better at finding birds and shooting birds there is always going to be a better/faster body with a longer/faster lens out there tempting you to spend more money.

drj3 said:

You could get an mFTs camera like the OM E-M5.3 for about $1000, but either the Olympus 100-400 or the Panasonic 100-400 lenses (maximum 800mm FF equivalent FOV) would cost about $1500

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If you don't need dim light capability, the Olympus 75-300mm zoom ($400 or so) for an M5.3 is a good choice. It would replace your curren bridge camera. If you keep with the system, the 100-400 zoom could be added later. There is also a fixed aperture 400mm Tokina reflex lens for under $300. It's a little odd, but very cheap & compact.

Not everyone needs pro level stuff.

Thank you for your thoughts on this. I plan on going to the camera store next week and will definitely look at the Sony Alpha series. It looks like there are a few Tamron Sony E mount lens that would fit the bill here. One of my considerations will be easy of use and that will also factor in.

The RX10 remains high on my list most certainly.

I guess my main consideration at this point would be if getting another bridge camera for the purposes of more reach only may not be once again challenged if I decide I want a camera that with more versatilty - which is think a DSLR / MFT might provide?

The Sony RX10 is like the best bridge camera on the market and it focuses super fast. I've read that it can have trouble focusing on birds flying directly at you in less than average light conditions but a lot of cameras with large zoom lenses can be like that. I sometimes wish I'd bought it instead of the camera and all the lenses I have. There's a lot to be said for their versatility and they do take good pictures. I'm getting good pictures with an older 18 mp Canon T6 right now but that's mostly because of my Tamron 150-600 mm lens. Don't settle for anything less than 600 mm, you may regret it, also.

Red Barchetta said:

The Sony RX10 is like the best bridge camera on the market and it focuses super fast. I've read that it can have trouble focusing on birds flying directly at you in less than average light conditions but a lot of cameras with large zoom lenses can be like that. I sometimes wish I'd bought it instead of the camera and all the lenses I have. There's a lot to be said for their versatility and they do take good pictures. I'm getting good pictures with an older 18 mp Canon T6 right now but that's mostly because of my Tamron 150-600 mm lens. Don't settle for anything less than 600 mm, you may regret it, also.

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Thank you for your thoughts on this. I have had quite a few people continue to recommend the RX10 IV and I think I really need to revisit that idea. I am kicking myself right now as this camera was on sale over Christmas and I didn't pull the trigger then. Having said that I'm still using my FZ300 for now and will keep looking at options before I commit.

sheepless said:

Red Barchetta said:

The Sony RX10 is like the best bridge camera on the market and it focuses super fast. I've read that it can have trouble focusing on birds flying directly at you in less than average light conditions but a lot of cameras with large zoom lenses can be like that. I sometimes wish I'd bought it instead of the camera and all the lenses I have. There's a lot to be said for their versatility and they do take good pictures. I'm getting good pictures with an older 18 mp Canon T6 right now but that's mostly because of my Tamron 150-600 mm lens. Don't settle for anything less than 600 mm, you may regret it, also.

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Thank you for your thoughts on this. I have had quite a few people continue to recommend the RX10 IV and I think I really need to revisit that idea. I am kicking myself right now as this camera was on sale over Christmas and I didn't pull the trigger then. Having said that I'm still using my FZ300 for now and will keep looking at options before I commit.

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The Sony RX10 IV has exactly the same reach as your FZ300. It has a larger sensor, so it will have less noise, it has more pixels so it will have more detail, but the bird will be exactly the same size in the frame. Both cameras have the FF equivalent of field of view of 600mm. If you want extra reach (a larger bird in the frame), you will need a camera which has a full frame field of view greater than 600mm.

Your options for greater reach are superzooms with a FF equivalent FOV of greater than 600mm or an APS with a lens that goes to 600mm (900mm FOV), or mFTs with a lens that goes to 400mm (800mm FOV).

sheepless said:

Good morning - I had posted some time ago when I was looking for a good beginner friendly camera for birding. I had never heard of bridge cameras before and after a trip to my camera store I purchased a Panasonic FZ300. I have been very satisfied with this camera for taking photos of birds in my backyard.

Having said that I have started going out to parks etc and am finding the reach limitations of the FZ300 to be frustrating. Which leads me to my next questions:

Given that the next bridge camera I have been considering (Sony RX10 IV) is noticeably larger in size - is it better to perhaps bite the bullet and look at an interchangable lens camera so I can purchase a few additional lens to give the camera itself more versatility of use?

If yes - would Mirrorless be the way to go in order to keep the weight of the equipment down?

Finally - I am still very much a beginner and need an easy to navigate camera. I have a budget of around $1000.00 for the camera. (Recommendations are welcome).

My plan is to continue using my FZ300 for backyard birding - (I live in Canada and we are curently in a deep freeze). I will buy my next camera now to learn how to use it - and come spring / summer purchase a lens suitable for birding).

Or - just buy the Sony RX10 and move on?

Many thanks!

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I'm wondering why your gear list shows two Olympus lenses and no body. It seems like you have already started a M43 lens collection and just need a body and possibly a TC or longer lens.

The Sony RX10 IV is likely to turn into another stop gap purchase. It will be lighter than any interchangeable setup and many are very happy with this camera.

Have you considered a screw on TC for your FZ300? This would be a more frugal way to gain reach while you save for a camera system.

Morris

Morris0 said:

I'm wondering why your gear list shows two Olympus lenses and no body. It seems like you have already started a M43 lens collection and just need a body and possibly a TC or longer lens.

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At present my son has "taken over" both my Olympus ( E520 ) and the lenses - I don't anticipate seeing them again anytime soon!

Morris0 said:

The Sony RX10 IV is likely to turn into another stop gap purchase. It will be lighter than any interchangeable setup and many are very happy with this camera.

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I too am concerned that the RX10 will become another stop gap purchase and therefore I want to explore my options before I commit to that idea again. At the time of my FZ300 purchase it was a "good enough for now" idea just to see if I truly enjoyed bird photography. I am overall impressed with the camera iteself - but would like to explore other options bearing in mind that I am still very much a beginner.

Morris0 said:

Have you considered a screw on TC for your FZ300? This would be a more frugal way to gain reach while you save for a camera system.

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I was not aware I could get a TC (teleconverter ? ) for this camera. It would definitely be a way to carry on while I research where I to go from here. I know nothing about teleconverters - is there one you would recommend?

Thank you for your thoughts on this

Morris0 said:

Morris

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Morris0 said:

Have you considered a screw on TC for your FZ300? This would be a more frugal way to gain reach while you save for a camera system.

Morris

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Hi Morris:

I belong to an FZ300 group on another site, so I can also look at teleconverter recommendations there - many thanks!

If you're more interested in birding, why not go long zoom. If you're more interested in image quality, go full frame mirrorless. It's expensive, but also the best.

One day I'll probably go full frame. Until that day, I'm sticking with the long zoom. 600mm seems so short after using 2000-3000mm. IQ is much less with the small sensor & BIF is an extreme challenge, but I know the limitations & am ok with it.


Painted Bunting

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Wow! Great shot! Thanks for your thoughts on this.

sheepless said:

Wow! Great shot! Thanks for your thoughts on this.

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Here's an example of the focal length difference between 600 & 3000mm. Note the bokeh the long optical zoom lens provides.

Resized 2000mp on the long side for uploading.


Harris's Sparrow @ 3000mm equivalent.


Same bird, same spot, 600mm.

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With a $1,000 budget, I would look for a low shutter count Nikon D7000 or Canon 7D, T2i-T5i and pair the body with the Sigma 150-600mm lens. At 600mm with crop, it takes you to 900mm (1.5 crop factor on Nikon, 1.6 with Canon). There is no substitute for getting closer to birds, wildlife and that in turn gives one better IQ. The Sigma 150-600 lens has shown excellent results and combined with a APS-C sensor or full frame give you MUCH better results vs p&s small sensors with IQ and certainly birds in flight. The older Nikon/Canon APS-C sensors still do a excellent job, offer hundreds of lens choices, durable, and won't break your budget.

Take a look at some of Red's posts and you will see someone who has learned his gear well and demonstrates that a budget body in the right hands can deliver a great image. Example: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65821600

Spend some time on FLickr and see that a $2,000 body is not absolutely needed to capture a keeper image.

Nikon 7000: https://www.mpb.com/en-us/used-equi...s/used-nikon-digital-slr-cameras/nikon-d7000/

Canon 7D: https://www.mpb.com/en-us/used-equi.../used-canon-digital-slr-cameras/canon-eos-7d/

sheepless said:

Red Barchetta said:

The Sony RX10 is like the best bridge camera on the market and it focuses super fast. I've read that it can have trouble focusing on birds flying directly at you in less than average light conditions but a lot of cameras with large zoom lenses can be like that. I sometimes wish I'd bought it instead of the camera and all the lenses I have. There's a lot to be said for their versatility and they do take good pictures. I'm getting good pictures with an older 18 mp Canon T6 right now but that's mostly because of my Tamron 150-600 mm lens. Don't settle for anything less than 600 mm, you may regret it, also.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your thoughts on this. I have had quite a few people continue to recommend the RX10 IV and I think I really need to revisit that idea. I am kicking myself right now as this camera was on sale over Christmas and I didn't pull the trigger then. Having said that I'm still using my FZ300 for now and will keep looking at options before I commit.

Click to expand...

Look all around, everywhere, you may run across a good deal still. I may get one myself if things go right, moneywise. I just get tired of lugging a big, heavy camera around. GL!