Birdwatchers, Consider a Deck Camera

As a former bird guide, I’ve photographed birds with everything from my smartphone to my point-and-shoot camera to my “serious” (and heavy) camera gear. But when I prefer to be more attentive to the birds, while still getting great photos, I head out with my binoculars and bridge camera.

Typically priced between $500 and $1,700, these mid-range cameras “bridge the gap” between standard compact cameras and more advanced, more expensive camera bodies with their arsenal of interchangeable lenses. They feature a fixed, versatile lens that gives bird photographers what they need most: zoom, far more than what’s standard on a phone or the 3x, 4x, or 10x zoom of a standard compact camera.

These cameras can take respectable photos of a distant rarity, a puzzling seagull or a nearby songbird, as well as insects and other small wonders of nature. Their images are often sharp enough to impress on social media, add to an eBird checklist or solve bird identification problems.

Your photos won’t match the brilliance and detail of those produced with professional equipment. But with practice and patience among the birds, photos taken with a bridge camera can indeed be worthy of a picture frame. Here’s how to get started.

Choose a camera

Choose a bridge camera based on your budget and needs. A 24x zoom is plenty, and around 60x (like the Canon PowerShot SX70 HS) tends to be the norm and best for most birders. Even higher zooms (like the 83x Nikon COOLPIX P950) can be worth considering, but they come with tradeoffs: more weight, more bulk, and more cost.

Behind the lens, any bridge camera worth its salt should include a range of essential standard features, including a viewfinder and manual controls similar to those found on more advanced cameras. One notable option to consider is sensor size. A few models feature a “1-inch” sensor, such as the popular Sony Cyber-Shot RX10 IV 25x. These larger sensors produce better images than similar cameras, especially in low light, but you’ll have to pay more for the camera.

Select the best settings

These super zooms can actually capture decent images in their AUTO modes. But some basic photography knowledge on your part will help you use the camera to its full potential. You’ll also spend less time fiddling with buttons, dials, and menus. So, at the very least:

• Shoot in burst mode, which allows you to take many photos while holding down the shutter button. Pros take photos this way. About one in ten photos is a success (so don’t feel too bad if you miss your shot).

• Learn the basics of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Since the small sensors in these cameras need light to take their best photos, shoot in aperture priority with the lens as wide open as possible.

• Set the camera to meter (and therefore “decide” the exposure of the image) based on the bird itself and less on its surroundings. In photographers’ jargon, this is often referred to as “spot” or “center-weighted” metering.

Prepare your shot

Your most important ally is light. Low, angled sunlight is usually best for nature photography, especially with a bridge camera because of its smaller sensor and fixed lens. Your best shots, even if they’re good for framing, will most likely be of relatively still birds in the open, bathed in low, angled sunlight. But with practice and good light, you can get great photos of them flying, too.

On cloudy days and with birds in the background, bridge cameras will certainly get the shot, but don’t expect them to make magazine covers. These cameras are simply not on the same level as high-end consumer or professional cameras, so set your expectations accordingly.

Beyond the Birds

Bridge cameras also work remarkably well for close-up macro photography. With its lens just a few inches from a plant, insect, or other small subject, the camera captures beautiful detail. But using the zoom is another option for insect photographers. No need to get close to the butterfly or dragonfly for that close-up macro shot (and risk scaring it off). Instead, step back, zoom in, and snap your photo.

A version of this article originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue. To receive our print magazine, become a member by donate today.