Nikon P610, Panasonic Lumix FZ200, or Nikon P900?

[onlinedrifter]

Hi,

It's been a very looonngg time since I posted on Camera Labs as I have put the hobby down, but I'm getting back into it.

I'm looking for a bridge camera with a long zoom. So which camera should I buy? Nikon P610, Panasonic Lumix FZ200, or Nikon P900? I watched a show about the Nikon P610 on a local TV shopping channel and was impressed by the zoom. When I check it out at a local shop, the shop owner was pushing the Panasonic Lumix FZ200 because of the 24x (25-600mm equivalent) f/2.8 lens across the entire zoom, where the Nikon P610 has a 60x (24–1440 mm equivalent) f/3.3, – f/6.5 lens. While I was researching reviews for the P610 on YouTube, I came across the Nikon P900 which has an incredible 83x (24-2000 mm equivalent) f/2.8, – f/6.5 lens.

I have read Gordon's Panasonic FZ200 review but since Gordon doesn't have a Nikon P610 review, I read his Nikon P600 review instead. I know the Nikon P610 has improvements over the P600.

I am leaning towards the Nikon P900 but I would like a few opinions please.

Thanks.

[RexGig]

Well, welcome back to shooting!

I know very little about "bridge" cameras, so cannot be helpful. ("Bridge" is not normally applied to cameras in my region of the USA.) My reply will "refresh" your thread topic, anyway.

[onlinedrifter]

G'day RexGig,

Other terms for "bridge camera" are "cross-over camera" and "super-zoom camera.

Most look like small DSLR's but without removable lens's. My new Nikon COOLPIX P900 is about the size of an entry level DSLR. You have to squeeze the 83x (24-2000 mm equivalent) f/2.8, – f/6.5 lens in there somewhere.

To find out more about the Nikon COOLPIX P900, check out your local Nikon site. For examples of the zoom of this "beast", search "P900" on YouTube.

[Maestro]

These cameras don't seem all that comparable to me. I mean, if you need f2.8 when zoomed in, you only have one choice. Similarly, if you need 2000mm, you only have one choice. If you don't need either of those, why not get the 610?

One caveat: even with stabilization, at these extremely long focal lengths, you'll probably have to use a relatively fast shutter speed (or some kind of support. i.e. tripod).

Mark