Top 12 Tele Zoom Bridge Camera by 2013

In DSLR Camera world, it could be only two flags we are most familiar with, Canon and Nikon. Alas, in the 'lower' caste of camera-type, we have dozen or more faction playing the Age of Camera Empire game. The class of camera which previously only known by two types, either as point-and-shoot camera or full spec DSLR camera, is now intruded in between by a new category, the Bridge Camera. Not very old term actually, according to Wikipedia, but Bridge Camera is right in the middle of the two type, an almost fully function DSLR camera with all it's manual setting menu, except they just cannot interchange the lens (...some may can..). And the bridge camera is also not the mirrorless DSLR camera.

On this Bridge-class, the main feature is seemingly focus on the ZOOOOOM spec. I just browsed around to pick a decent bridge camera for a friend, but then come up with dozen of fancy names. Here, the list of 12 Bridge Camera that sorted by it's focal length. It's the zoom feature that the market love to see. I dismissed all the other specs, since it's can easily found in internet reviews for each models.

Panasonic Lumix FZ70 is the top model, by spec he goes from 20 wide to 1200mm tele in 35 mm equivalent. In the most cheap is something on Polaroid IS2132 . By expensive, it is the luxury Leica V-Lux 4, placing Leica under Panasonic Lumix maybe a crime for photographer community, but it is the spec we are talking about. Please see the complete result here:

Top 12 Tele Zoom Bridge Camera, by August 2013  12 Kamera Bridge Paling Zoom

Manufacture - Wide Zoom to 35mm Equivalent 

1. Panasonic Lumix FZ70 / FZ72 20-1200mm

Lumix FZ70 is also superior in capturing HD movie with super dense frame per second ability, up to 100 fps. It is a very decent camera with good balance between money and specs. The main setback is actually just the brand did not has long tradition on camera product, they just started actually.

2. Sony Cyber-Shot HX300 24-1200mm

With Carl Zeiss lens support, Sony is now the third force of camera behind Canon and Nikon

3. Canon PowerShot SX50 HS 24-1200mm

Of course the Genghis Khan of Camera product, Powershot series is fully support by all Canon technology. The weakness, some expert said they are not fast enough for full action job, but on portrait or landscape, you can rely on Canon.

4. Fuji Film FinePix HS50EXR 24-1000mm

Once the great brand, now it is somehow fall behind their Japan rivals. FinePix HS50EXR told to have very best features and functionality, also fast auto focus and build design. 

5. Nikon CoolPix P520 24-1000mm

Nikon is the other giant of camera manufacture. But the reality is, Nikon CoolPix P520 is 42x zoom 'only' actually. It's praised for good LCD screen.

6. Olympus Stylus SP-820UZ  22.4-896 mm

Olympus is better known for it's water-proof camera instead of its DSLR by today. SP-820UZ iHS told to has a good lens.

7. Samsung WB2100s 25-875mm

The Korean always good choice when talking about prices. This is the 'budget' version of Canon, good in price. The quality of body and design is also in 'budget' mode actually....:)

 - buy it HERE

8. Kodak PiXPro AZ362/1 24-864mm  - buy it HERE

And here come Kodak, also once a big player in the camera world. Kodak PixPro is perhaps the most balance tele zoom bridge camera around, good in price, decent build and design, trust able lens quality and it's the most recent model released in July 2013.

9. Leica V-Lux 4 25-600mm

And how about surprise your photography colleagues with a Leica. Only up to 600mm in tele, Leica is the model for serious job. Good physical quality, and good lens! If you have enough money, buy this to help Leica going into the mainstream!

- buy it HERE 
10. Ricoh Pentax X-5 22.3-580mm  - buy it HERE

Pentax is now Ricoh Pentax. Very strong name just behind Canon and Nikon in popularity, Pentax X-5 however is very down to beginner bridge camera. They even did not included the Av and Tx (aperture and shutter) priority dial mode. Quality wise you can trust Pentax.

11. Polaroid IS2132 25-526 mm (unofficial)  - buy it HERE

Strangely, Polaroid also existed in camera, if you remember correctly. If you dislike to have the same camera brand to the majority of people, but Polaroid, they are good also.

12. Casio Exilim EX-FH25 26-520mm - buy it HERE 

And Casio Exilim... They are good in electronic and to be honest most of my Casio products last very long. The Exilim provided a beginner bridge camera with good prices, quality is ok for family purposes.