Top 12 Best Ultra Zoom Bridge Digital Cameras 2019

Top 12 Best Ultra Zoom Bridge Digital Cameras 2019

The ultra zoom - or bridge style camera is a popular format of camera, offering SLR-styled looks, manual controls and huge optical zoom. This style of camera lets you get wide-angle shots and then zoom into distant subjects, with the latest cameras offering huge amounts of zoom! Here is our list of the best ultra-zoom / bridge cameras reviewed on ePHOTOzine, click through to read the full review. Some of the most recent cameras feature a larger than normal image sensor, which results in better image quality, particularly in low light. 

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If you don't see your favourite camera on this list it's either because we've not reviewed it or it's simply not scored high enough. 

  1. Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 

The Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 features a large 20-megapixel 1inch sensor for improved image quality and noise performance, along with a Leica f/2.8 - f/4.0 16x optical zoom lens equivalent to 25-400mm in 35mm terms. The camera also features 4K video recording, raw shooting, manual controls and built-in Wi-Fi.

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2. Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 II 

 

The Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 II might be the newer version of the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 but its price means it, currently, slots under the older versions. Plus, the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 II isn't particularly ground-breaking, in that it takes the original FZ1000 and updates it with a few new features including an improved screen, better electronic viewfinder and better connectivity. 

For users of the FZ1000, there may not be enough reason for them to rush out and upgrade to this camera but if you're in the market for a new bridge camera, the FZ1000 II is a good choice. 

The Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 II will be available from the end of March 2019 for £769.99.

3. Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 Mark II 

The Sony Cyber-shot RX10 II is a top scoring bridge camera. It features the world's first stacked 1inch BSI CMOS sensor with a DRAM memory chip. It's capable of 40x super slow motion capture and 4K video shooting, along with a super fast electronic shutter. It has a weather sealed body and we praised its excellent image quality and features, which includes an 8.3x optical zoom lens with a constant aperture of f/2.8. 

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  4. Panasonic Lumix FZ330 / FZ300 

The Panasonic Lumix FZ330 may "only" have a 24x optical zoom lens, equivalent to 25mm to 600mm at the telephoto end, but it features a bright f/2.8 aperture at all lens positions, making it great for low-light photography. It also features 12fps continuous shooting, 4K video recording and a vari-angle screen. 

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  5. Canon Powershot G3 X 

The Canon Powershot G3 X features a 25x optical zoom lens, with image stabilisation, Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, manual controls, raw support, and a large 20mp 1inch CMOS sensor for improved image quality and noise performance. 

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  6. Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 (FZ2500) 

 

The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 features a  20-megapixel 1inch sensor, 20x optical zoom lens equivalent to 24-480mm with an f/2.8-4.5 aperture and it's designed to be a hybrid video/photo camera. Build quality is very good and the camera has a lot in common with the Panasonic Lumix GH4, which means that the FZ2000 would make an excellent second camera to anyone familiar with Panasonic's other cameras. The camera has a great 3inch tilting touch-screen, as well as a large, bright, high-resolution electronic viewfinder, with a comfortable rubber surround. Image quality is generally good and the camera offers impressive focus performance. 

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  7. Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV 

The Sony Cyber-shot RX10 IV features a 25x optical zoom lens, with a bright f/2.4 to f/4.0 aperture, and a zoom range equivalent to 24 to 600mm in 35mm terms. The camera features a "stacked" 20 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, with phase detection focus, and the camera offers 24fps high-speed continuous shooting as well as high-speed video, and ultra-fast focus speeds. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built-in.

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  8. Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 III 

The Sony Cyber-shot RX10 III features a 25x optical zoom lens, with a bright f/2.4 to f/4.0 aperture, and a zoom range equivalent to 24 to 600mm in 35mm terms. The camera features the same "stacked" 20 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor as the RX10 Mark II, which enables high-speed continuous shooting (at 14fps) as well as high-speed video.

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  9. Panasonic Lumix FZ82 (FZ80)

The Panasonic Lumix FZ82 / FZ80 features a wide-angle 60x optical zoom lens, manual controls, raw shooting, 10fps continuous shooting, 4K (UHD) video recording, a 3inch touch-screen, stereo sound, as well as accessories that will take the zoom to 102x optical zoom!

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10. Nikon Coolpix B700 - 

The Nikon Coolpix B700 is a 60x zoom camera with a new 20-megapixel sensor and 4K video recording. There is built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, as well as low-power Bluetooth for transferring images to a smartphone or tablet. We gave it a recommended rating for its good colour reproduction, RAW shooting capability and good connectivity options.

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  11. Nikon Coolpix P900 

The Nikon Coolpix P900 offers an 83x optical zoom lens, giving an impressive 24-2000mm equivalent, making it ideal for moon photography as well as other distant subjects. Wi-Fi, GPS, a vari-angle screen, numerous scene modes, and manual controls are included in this large SLR-styled camera.

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12. Nikon Coolpix P1000 

The Nikon Coolpix P1000, quite literally, reaches for the moon and stars with one of the biggest and most in your face optical zoom we've ever seen! However, this comes with a number of unavoidable issues which includes the size and weight of the camera, needing a tripod for anything over 2000mm and rather poor battery life. However, for bragging rights alone, this camera knocks it out of the park, offering a 24mm to 3000mm equivalent zoom lens. 

As for the price, it's a lot of cash to spend and this is even more so when you look at what's on offer at almost half the price, such as the Nikon Coolpix P900. 

Overall, the Nikon Coolpix P1000 offers a huge amount of reach but the price, the need for a tripod (ideally) over 2000mm and its size/weight, means the rest of the camera is likely to not be for everyone. For some, the huge size of the camera will immediately deter using the camera. 

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13. Canon Powershot SX70 HS 

 

The Canon Powershot SX70 HS offers a 65x optical zoom lens, a 20mp BSI CMOS sensor, and has been updated to include 4K video recording. The 65x optical zoom lens starts at a 21mm equivalent, giving an ultra-wide view, zooming to 1365mm equivalent. The camera also offers a 0cm macro mode, and can shoot raw images. 

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Even More Options

For more options have a look at our latest digital camera reviews, or have a look at our 'Best Pocket Travel Zoom cameras' top list. If you're looking for a more compact camera, but with high image quality, then have a look at our 'Top Serious Compact cameras' suggestions.

Found your perfect camera? Don't forget to pick up a bag for it to protect it - have a look at our complete guide to bags. If you want a memory card for your camera, have a look at our complete guide to memory cards.