A DSLR is always a worthy investment, providing you with the flexibility to take incredible, high-quality photos in any situation. Of course, a DSLR can also be a significant investment, especially when you factor in the accessories needed to get great shots in tricky conditions – not to mention the investment of time needed to learn how to take advantage of all a DSLR has to offer.
While camera phones are now ubiquitous, the quality and flexibility can’t compare to a device made specifically to take pictures, making point-and-shoot cameras an ideal option for people who want quality images with an easily carried and easily mastered camera. However, point-and-shoot cameras don’t offer the same quality as DSLRs and don’t give you as much control as you create your images.
Luckily for those looking to capture high-quality images on a budget, bridge cameras are here to fill the gap between a DSLR and a point-and-shoot camera. Bridge cameras offer strong sensors, incredible zoom ranges and manual settings, all at price points starting well below entry level DSLRs.
Bridge cameras offer strong sensors, incredible zoom ranges and manual settings, all at price points starting well below entry level DSLRs.
In our post on DSLRs, we explained the value of a good sensor – essentially, the better your sensor the higher quality your images are going to be, allowing you capture finer detail and put the photos to a wider range of uses. While DSLRs typically boast the best sensors, they also require you to have a collection of lenses to capture varying situations.
Bridge cameras, on the other hand, come with a single fixed lens yet boast significant zoom ranges – to the point that they are sometimes referred to as superzoom cameras. This makes them ideal if you need an affordable option that lets you take pictures of things both three feet and 300 metres away.
Bridge cameras can be as simple to use as point-and-shoot varieties, but they also offer more control over your images through manual settings, allowing you to achieve the blurred background of a low-aperture shot, amongst other effects.
While DSLRs are the darlings of photography enthusiasts for a reason, and point-and-shoot cameras offer unrivaled affordability, bridge cameras are an excellent way to get some of the benefits of each – and to capture some amazing images!
Nikon’s line of bridge cameras includes some of the highest zoom ranges on the market and start at just Kshs. 18,500. Visit our shop today to learn more about the Nikon COOLPIX L340 and the Nikon COOLPIX B500 and decide if a bridge camera is right for you.