Bridge cameras are good all-in-one cameras that offer some of the high quality features and capabilities found on DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, but are typically lighter and more compact. Some of them include long zooms, which mean you can get closer to the action. They’re also great for family shots and video, particularly if you have kids that are involved in indoor activities as well, like in the theater.
Based on our extensive testing, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 is the best compact bridge camera for the money. It packs a sensor almost as large as those found on some DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. It also shoots 4K video in a body that's easy to carry. If you want to capture the action up close, our favorite ultrazoom is the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS. It has a 65x zoom lens and takes highly detailed photos. However, you may want to consider its successor, the SX70 HS, which can take 4K video.
While its numerous dials give it a decidedly retro feel, the Lumix DMC-LX100 is packed with forward-looking features, including great 4K video and fast autofocus. It has a large 16.8 megapixel sensor and a sharp 3.1X Leica optical zoom lens that has an f/1.7 maximum aperture for very shallow depth-of-field photos, a quality found in many professional images. In addition, the LX100 has a rear LCD and an electronic viewfinder. All this in a sturdy, nearly pocketable magnesium alloy frame that makes the LX100 a pricey, but best all-around bridge camera.
While it doesn’t have the longest reach of the ultrazooms we tested, this Canon's 65X telephoto lens gets you very close to the action, and captures everything in sharp detail, whether you're taking photos or shooting video. It also has an external mic jack, and can shoot in RAW, something few other ultrazooms can do. Its very comfortable handgrip, swiveling LCD, and powerful image stabilization make it capable of capturing sharp photos or jitter-free video of hard-to-reach shots, such as shooting over your head. And, it does all this for less than $500, making the SX60 HS a great deal.
If you're looking for an even longer zoom, check out the Nikon CoolPix P1000, which is twice as expensive, but has a 125x (3000mm-equivalent) zoom lens.
With a compact body an a 15X zoom (24-360mm equivalent), the Panasonic Lumix ZS200 is great for travelers who are looking for a small yet versatile camera. It's easy enough for beginners, but has an array of dials and controls for advanced amateurs to take command of all of the camera's settings. Although its rear display doesn't tilt, we also liked its sharp electronic viewfinder. Low-light shots were good, and also did great when shooting 4K video.
