A Guide to Choosing a Sports and Wildlife Bridge Camera From $100
Cameras for sports and wildlife photography are expensive to the specialized lens requirements. In both scenarios, a long telephoto lens is essential. These lenses consist of multiple large lens elements, which contribute to their high price.
When selecting a fixed lens camera or separate lens and, the key specification to consider is the 35mm equivalent focal length. The upper end of the zoom range should be a minimum of 600mm. Lenses and cameras with this specification will offer sufficient reach to capture birds in the wild or athletes on a sports field in an Olympic-sized swimming pool, football pitch, baseball/softball field, and more.
What is a Bridge Camera? (Fixed Lens)
A bridge camera, often referred to as a “superzoom” camera, serves as an intermediate option between point-and-shoot compact cameras and digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) or mirrorless cameras. A used bridge camera is the least expensive way to start photographing wildlife and sports.
Advantages:
- Versatile Zoom Range: The following bridge cameras all have a long zoom lens. This allows users to capture both wide-angle shots and telephoto images without changing lenses.
- All-in-One Design: They are convenient for sports, wildlife, travel, or casual photography.
- Manual Controls: Many bridge cameras offer manual settings similar to those on DSLRs, giving enthusiasts more control over their shots.
- Cost-Effective: Generally cheaper than a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a similar zoom range when considering the cost of additional lenses.
- Lightweight: They are often lighter than DSLRs with equivalent zoom lenses.
Disadvantages:
- Sensor Size: Bridge cameras usually have smaller sensors compared to DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, which can affect image quality, especially in low light.
- Fixed Lens: The lens on a bridge camera cannot be changed, limiting the user’s ability to upgrade or use specialized lenses.
- Performance Limitations: They might not be as fast in terms of autofocus or continuous shooting as some advanced cameras.
- Limited Bokeh: Due to the smaller sensor and lens characteristics, achieving a shallow depth of field or “bokeh” effect can be more challenging.
SD Memory Card Requirements
All cameras can use SDXC memory cards. Max size of 2TB. Worth getting a UHS-I card, because there is basically no price difference and it will future proof the card. Make sure to have the latest firmware.
AmazonCameras Under $100 (Auctions)
The only way to get a camera that meets the basic criteria for wildlife or sports for under $100 is to win an auction on eBay. The key factor is going to be having the patience required to wait for cameras to come up for auction.
Any of the cameras under $200 are the models to watch. Winning an auction is also a great way to save some money on any of the more expensive models listed below.
Cameras Under $200
| Camera | Zoom | Year | Weight | Megapixels | Battery | Battery Charger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon B600 | 24-1440mm | 2019 | 500g | 16 MP | EN-EL12 | EH-73P |
| Panasonic FZ70 | 20-1200mm | 2013 | 606g | 16 MP | DMW-BMB9 | DE-A84 |
| Sony DSC-H400 | 25-1550mm | 2014 | 655g | 20 MP | NP-BX1 | BC-TRX |
| Nikon P600 | 24-1440mm | 2014 | 565g | 16 MP | EN-EL23 | MH-67P |
Nikon Coolpix P600
The P600 has the most quality of life features that will make using the camera enjoyable. Having a thumb wheel means aperture priority, aperture priority, and manual modes are all usable, which is important for leaning photography.
The viewfinder means the camera is usable in bright sunlight. The flip screen makes shooting at high and low angles possible.
This is the best choice among the cameras available under $200.
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Panasonic Lumix FZ70
Also known as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ72. Likely the least expensive camera on the list and the most likley to be found under $100.
There are enough physical controls that are good enough for a beginner learning photography. The lack of a flip screen is going to be limiting.
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Sony Cybershot DSC-H400
Has a viewfinder, but no flip screen or control dial. These lack of features will likely feel limiting as you learn more about photography.
Having to menu dive to change common settings that other cameras have physical buttons for will get annoying.
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Sony Cybershot DSC-H400 Manual
Nikon Coolpix B600
This is a stripped down budget camera. The lack of viewfinder will be an issue in bright sunlight as the screen may be difficult to see. The screen is also not a flip screen, which limits the angles that you can shoot from.
There are fewer physical controls, which means menu diving. This slows down changing settings as you will have to rely on the screen. This will be annoying to do in bright sunlight. The lack of a control dial shows that this camera was designed to primarily be used in auto mode.
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Cameras Under $300
| Camera | Zoom | Year | Weight | Megapixels | Battery | Battery Charger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon P610 | 24-1440mm | 2015 | 565g | 16 MP | EN-EL23 | MH-67P |
| Canon SX60 HS | 21-1365mm | 2014 | 650g | 16 MP | NB-10L | CB-2LC |
| Panasonic FZ80 | 20-1200mm | 2017 | 616g | 18 MP | DMW-BMB9 | DE-A84 |
Nikon Coolpix P610
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Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
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Canon PowerShot SX60 HS Manual
Panasonic Lumix FZ80
The lack of a flip screen is a big drawback of this camera. However, the 20mm equivalent wide angle view is attractive for travel or architecture photography.
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Cameras Under $400
| Camera | Zoom | Year | Weight | Megapixels | Battery | Battery Charger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon B700 | 24-1440mm | 2016 | 570g | 20 MP | EN-EL23 | MH-67P |
| Nikon P900 | 24-2000mm | 2015 | 899g | 16 MP | EN-EL23 | MH-67P |
| Canon G3 X | 24-600mm | 2015 | 733g | 20 MP | NB-10L | CB-2LC |
Nikon Coolpix B700
A large improvement over the Nikon B600. The inclusion of a flip screen and more physical buttons makes this camera much more usable. The size and weight will also be good for most people.
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Nikon P900
The telephoto zoom of this camera is impressive. That does come at a noticeable increase in size and weight compared to the cameras listed above. The camera also lack RAW support, which is a major drawback for post processing and image editing.
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Canon PowerShot G3 X
This is the first camera to make the list that has a larger, 1.0-type sensor. This will help the camera in low light shooting and to achieve a shallower depth of field. However, if either of those are overly important to you, a Micro Four Thirds camera might be a better choice.
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Cameras Under $500
| Camera | Zoom | Year | Weight | Megapixels | Battery | Battery Charger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canon SX70 HS | 21-1365mm | 2017 | 608g | 20 MP | LP-E12 | LC-E12 |
Canon PowerShot SX70 HS
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Canon PowerShot SX70 HS Manual
Cameras Under $750
| Camera | Zoom | Year | Weight | Megapixels | Battery | Battery Charger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon P950 | 24-2000mm | 2020 | 1005g | 16 MP | EN-EL20a | MH-29 |
| Nikon P1000 | 24-3000mm | 2018 | 1415g | 16 MP | EN-EL20a | MH-29 |
| Sony RX10 III | 24-600mm | 2016 | 1095g | 20 MP | NP-FW50 | BC-WV1 |
Nikon P950
This camera is similar to the P900 with several improvements including RAW support, 4k video recording, and a hot shoe. The RAW support is important as they are the best image files to learn photo editing on and are what gets the best image quality out of a camera.
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Nikon P1000
This is the best camera on the entire list.
The amount of zoom this camera is capable of is so unbelievable, it is borderline comical. That comes at a big tradeoff in terms of size and weight. However, getting that amount of reach with a interchangeable lens camera will be larger, heavier, and significantly more expensive.
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Sony RX10 III
This camera has a larger 1.0-type sensor. The cost and weight are a major drawback to the RX10 Mark III. The only possible reason to buy this camera would be if you are more interested in video than photography.
Considering the price, a mirrorless Micro Four Thirds camera is likely a better choice. It allows for the body or lenses to be upgraded in the future. For when a telephoto lens isn’t needed, a smaller lens can be used, which will make the MFT camera smaller and lighter.
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Cameras Under $1500
| Camera | Zoom | Year | Weight | Megapixels | Battery | Battery Charger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony RX10 IV | 24-600mm | 2017 | 1095g | 20 MP | NP-FW50 | BC-WV1 |
Sony RX10 IV
1.0-type sensor
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