The best bridge camera in 2024: ultra-zoom cameras for far off subjects

Sony RX10 IV bridge camera being held in a reviewer's hand
(Image credit: Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)

The best bridge camera combines the convenience of a compact camera with the zoom of a telephoto lens and the ergonomics of a DSLR. In fact they look and feel pretty similar to a DSLR, but they have a fixed lens and usually a massive zoom range – sometimes all the way up to 3000mm, which is a lens doesn't even exist for a traditional camera system!

This hybrid performance makes the best bridge cameras great for capturing wildlife, sports, or even astrophotography – and they won't cost you the earth. The enormous zoom covers everything from wide-angle landscape shots to detailed images of a single bird in the distance. Combined with fast burst speeds and 4K video, this can make them perfect for family, travel, and animal photography – but the massive zoom capability comes with a few compromises. 

James Artaius
James Artaius

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has over 20 years’ experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). As one of DCW's principal testers, he has a thorough and detailed knowledge of the cameras selected for this guide.

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Lab resultsScoreRating
Resolution (ISO 200)24/60★★
Dynamic range (ISO 200)11.37 EV★★★★
Noise (ISO 200)37.48 decibels★★★★
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Lab resultsScoreRating
Resolution (ISO 200)Not testedRow 0 - Cell 2
Dynamic range (ISO 200)9.17 EV★★
Noise (ISO 200)25.29 decibels★★
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James Artaius
Editor

James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus / OM System, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and he loves instant cameras, too.