Fujifilm FinePix S8600 - Cheapest Bridge Camera

Fujifilm FinePix S8600 is the cheapest bridge camera available in market today. If you want a camera with quality images and a bigger telephoto lens than a regular point and shoot camera but also cheaper than average ultrazoom camera in market then, here's your choice. You can buy this model for less than $150 from Amazon. Yes, If you have been search for a camera like this then you should know it's really impossible to find a high-end camera for price like that.

So if you want to know specifications, FinePix S8600 has a FUJINON lens with 36x optical zoom which is equivalent to 25-900mm. maybe it's not top notch and latest when it comes to lens since a camera like Canon SX60 has more than 60x optical zoom but price tag is more than 3 times high. Also it has a decent 16MP 1/2.3in CCD sensor. There is a 3 inch LCD screen but sadly no view finder.

Videos are not bad either, you get HD movies at 720p/30fps. After all you can't ask for more than this from a camera like this. If you want a better quality videos such as HD 1080p then better look at other models like Panasonic Lumix FZ70, which would cost you many $50 more.

Camera uses three AA batteries which will let you take around 260 - 300 photos. This will depends on things like image quality and use of flash. Best option is  using set of rechargeable batteries for this. Panasonic BK-3MCCA4BA Eneloop AA rechargeable battery set would cost you less than $15 and also these batteries last long. There are many other brands and you can get those even for cheaper. But I know from years of experience Eneloop batteries are the best and last longest.

When I posted about this camera last year it was under $150. I have yet to see a camera with better offer. So still this is great for anyone who need a cheap bridge camera. If you are looking for a good camera for your kid who want to learn about photography then FinePix S8600 is a pretty option for you. Also if you are looking for nice family camera for good price then again this is your choice.

Fujifilm FinePix S8600

Okey first lets be clear about the prices. You can find two prices for this Fujifilm FinePix S8600 camera at Amazon. You can get Certified Refurbished model for less than $100 ( Plz check HERE for exact price ) Or you can get a new one for just less than $150 ( Plz check HERE for exact price ). These refurbished cameras are good as new too and you get same warranty.

This is a perfect offer for anyone who believe spending more than $150 for a digital camera is a crime or if your kid is badly want to be a photographer and you can't trust him with your high-end compact camera or DSLR. Quality is really good and you can say more than worth for the price you get. If now this camera wouldn't get more than 51% five star ratings and over 35% 4 star ratings out of total ratings. Plz click the above links if you want to read what other buyers say or to get full details from the sales page.

So lets see specifications of this camera,

• 16MP 1/2.3-inch CCD Sensor.
• Fujinon 36 x optical zoom lens (Equivalent to a 25-900mm).
• Aperture F2.9(Wide) - F6.9(Telephoto).
• ISO100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600.
• Shutter speed 1/4 sec. to 1/1500 sec (Auto Mode).
• Shutter speed 8 sec. to 1/2000 sec. (All other modes).
• 3.0-inch LCD Monitor.
• Powered by 3x AA type batteries.
• 720p HD Movie Recording
• Can attach a tripod.
• NO Hot Shoe.

So this camera is nice for average user who wants camera which can do more than average point and shoot camera. S8600 is cheap but it's still a bridge camera so it can take long distance photos which your average point and shoot can't do.

Can we compare with Canon SX60 or Nikon P900 ? Not really. Those are bigger, better and 3 times more expensive cameras. You can't compare model like this with those big guns. It's not fair. If you want something dead serious then go for Canon SX60 or Nikon 900 which has even better specs than SX60. Even Canon SX50 is more expensive and better. You can't find a camera like that for less than $300.

Okey maybe except for Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ70 camera which you can get for less than $300 and has 60x optical zoom, 1080p/60i HD video recording and a 16MP MOS Sensor. You can find latest price for DMC-FZ70 HERE.

But if your budget is something around $150 less and you are happy with a bridge camera which can perform better than other normal point and shoots in market then FinePix S8600 is for you. Sample photos can be found in Amazon sales page.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ70

Bridge cameras are always expensive than an average point and shoot camera. But here, Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ70 camera which you can buy for less than $300. This is really a good price for ultra zoom bridge camera since most of new models like Canon SX60 or Nikon COOLPIX P900 camera cost you over $500. That's not a price everyone can afford.

That's why you should check this Panasonic DMC-FZ70 bridge camera. It comes with a 60X optical zoom which is equivalent to 20mm-1200mm. This feature alone can be something good enough to make it affordable camera for tourist. You will able to take good and sharp long distance photos of dynamic landscapes, wildlife, and almost any travel scene. It's better having this cheaper bridge camera than taking your expensive DSLR to a place where it can get stolen. So this would be a very handy backup camera even if you have a good DSLR camera.

Now this camera comes with Panasonic's new MOS sensor. DMC-FZ70 has a 16.1-megapixel High Sensitive MOS Sensor which improve cameras Low Light capabilities. these days all these bridge models have good low light shooting and this one is no exception too. You can check some new nice sample photos >>  Here << which are uploaded but Amazon customers who already bought this camera. You can't compare those with an high-end DLSR camera but for a camera which cost you around $250 you can say these are really really good.

Another cool thing about this camera is it's video recording capabilities. It can do Full 1080/60i HD Panasonic Video recording with auto focus and has Zoom focused Dolby quality sound recording locks out ambient noise for enhanced audio quality. It's amazing how great features these days cameras offer you for such low price. Five years ago I bought buy Canon SX10 for $500 which has none of these stuff. I still love that camera but imagine you can get these days for half of that price !

Anyway the bottom Line is what do you really want. Does the price is an issue for you ? Then you should check this camera. It's good and it's affordable. But you are willing to spend $500 or maybe little bit more then first check high end bridge cameras like Canon SX60 or even Nikon P900. Those two cameras are at the top when it comes to this range of cam models.

If you feel price is strangely too cheap and wonder about the camera then you should visit the Amazon page and read what other customers say. It's always Better read about what others say. But if you have a low budget and want a good camera then I can say this is a good choice.

Nikon Coolpix P900 Camera

This time Nikon has done it. Their new Nikon Coolpix P900 camera has a massive 83x optical zoom. Right this P900 is the bridge camera with longest zoom lens in market. This is no small camera either it's big as entry level DSLR camera. This blog is all about Canon bridge cameras but this monster amaze me. Latest Canon model which is equal to this one is Canon SX60 which only has a 65x optical zoom.

83x Optical zoom mean it has has something equivalent to 2000mm. This is huge and means you can take photos of  objects far far away. When I first bought Canon SX10 and even when I saw about Canon SX30 I had never dreamed something like this would happen anytime zoom. I heard Canon experimenting about a 100x zoom but I thought it's gonna take at least 10 or more years. Now Canon has a serious challenge upon them selves.

Even thought P900 everything in market when it comes to Optical zoom it has same Sensor all latest bridge cameras in market has. A 16MP, 1/2.3" CMOS Sensor which is same all other models like Canon SX60, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70, Sony Cyber-shot H400, Pentax XG-1 cameras have.

There are only problems or cons I can see in this camera. It doesn't have the RAW photo format and also it doesn't have a hot shoe so you can't use those powerful external Flashes for this one. Lack of RAW format is not a big problem in my opinion. This is not a professional DSLR, its more like a family camera or starter camera.It can do really good photos in jpeg. But lack for hot shoe is a real problem but again that's if you want to some serious indoor photos and things such has sports events and wedding photos. I don't think most of bridge camera users really use these features.

This camera is great for anyone who need a point and shoot camera for taking nice outdoor photos or take for your vacation or trip. It can do all kinds of superb outdoor photos. This is not a cheap point and shoot but it has a big lens and cheaper than a latest DSLR.

Here's the main features of Nikon Coolpix P900,

• 16 mega pixel 1/2.3-in. type CMOS Sensor.
• 83x optical zoom with NIKKOR lens + 4x Digital zoom.
• f/2.8-6.5 aperture.
• 4.3-357 mm Focal length (equivalent to 24-2000 mm lens in 35mm).
• Takes SD , SDHC , SDXC memory cards.
• ISO 100-12800.
• Shutter speed 1/4000* - 15 s.
• Built in Wi-Fi and Near Field Communication.
• GPS.
• Li-ion EN-EL23 Battery (360 with fully charged battery).
• Full manual exposure control.
• Twin control dials.
• Video capture : 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p).

This camera is not a compact camera. It's big and weights same like a DSLR Camera. But it's easier to handle than a DSLR and also cheaper too. So if you are not in market for an expensive dslr but something cheaper but can give same result this is for you.

But it's expensive than cameras in it's own range. Nikon P900 cost you around $600 (30/06/2015) while next best option like Canon SX60 would be around $460. and other cameras like Olympus Stylus SP-100, Nikon Coolpix P610, Sony HX400V are even cheaper. If you want something even cheaper like maybe in range of $350 then check the Canon SX50 which you can get for less than $350 these days.

Nikon Coolpix P900 is a monster among monster bridge cameras. I think it will take a while before other companies catch up with this one. Probably  it will be the Canon with their Canon SX70. But that can take at least another year in my opinion or middle of 2016. So Unless you plan to wait for that you should be buying this cemera if it fits your budget. I'm sure it will worth every penny you spend.

Camera Bag for Canon SX60

Case Logic DCB-305 Camera Case

Unless you are buying a Camera bundle you need to find a camera bag for Canon SX60 you have newly bought or going to buy. These Canon Bridge cameras are not small or cheap as an average point and shoot camera but also not expensive or big as a DSLR camera. So you need to find a good camera bag which has some level of protection. It might not expensive as a DSLR but still it cost you around $450+ these days.

Finding a good camera bag for Canon SX60 is not easy as it looks because This camera and Canon SX50 little big bigger than previous Canon Bridge cameras. So you can't use the Case Logic DCB-304 camera case which I had bought for my old Canon SX10 model. But there is a Case Logic DCB-305 model which is mainly for cams but works great for SX60 too. Also it's not expensive either. cost you less than $25 and a quality product.

Just like the DCB-304 this Case Logic DCB-305 has received so many positive feedback from Amazon customers and I noticed several owners of SX60 among them too. You can use side zippered pockets store batteries and other accessories and there is inner pockets for memory cards. Also there is an interior divider separates hardware and charger. This camera case is great for your Canon Bridge cameras and other Super zoom cameras but not big enough for DSLR cameras. You need to buy a bigger and better camera bag like Case Logic TBC-409 DSLR Shoulder Bag or Nikon Deluxe Digital SLR Camera Case. These bags are not expensive and cost you only around $24 - $30.

Laurel Compact DSLR Camera Bag Carrying Case is another option for your bridge camera but it cost you around $30. Torkia Fitted Padded Case also priced around $30 and will suit for Canon SX60 or Canon SX50.