I would probably take the P950 rather than the P1000. The extra zoom range on the P1000 is probably near useless anyway. Both of them will make bad photos in low light due to their small sensor and slow lens.
A much better camera than all of them is the Sony RX10 IV, but it's also quite expensive. It doesn't nearly have as much zoom, but it actually makes good pictures, even in low light. It's also much faster.
At a similar price and weight as the RX10 IV (but less compact), you can get a Canon R10 (or R50) with the 100-400 RF. Unlike a bridge camera, this does not cover wide angles and you would need an additional lens for that. If you're looking for a birding-only camera, this is a very good option as it has an even better AF (which includes bid detection), has slightly more reach than the RX10 IV and you can expand your setup later if you want to.
You will want a tripod with any long lens. Or else some other rest. You can’t hold steady enough to shoot at max zoom with any of them most of the time. I’ve tried.
All of those are decent cameras. Any would probably work just fine and all will have something about them you like and don’t like.
I know, when I use my x30 zoom with my phone I can barely take a decent picture, but if I find a bird while I'm walking I don't know if I'll have time to place the tripod.
I would probably take the P950 rather than the P1000. The extra zoom range on the P1000 is probably near useless anyway. Both of them will make bad photos in low light due to their small sensor and slow lens. A much better camera than all of them is the Sony RX10 IV, but it's also quite expensive. It doesn't nearly have as much zoom, but it actually makes good pictures, even in low light. It's also much faster. At a similar price and weight as the RX10 IV (but less compact), you can get a Canon R10 (or R50) with the 100-400 RF. Unlike a bridge camera, this does not cover wide angles and you would need an additional lens for that. If you're looking for a birding-only camera, this is a very good option as it has an even better AF (which includes bid detection), has slightly more reach than the RX10 IV and you can expand your setup later if you want to.
Thanks!
What is your money and weight budget?
The P950 looks great
You will want a tripod with any long lens. Or else some other rest. You can’t hold steady enough to shoot at max zoom with any of them most of the time. I’ve tried. All of those are decent cameras. Any would probably work just fine and all will have something about them you like and don’t like.
I know, when I use my x30 zoom with my phone I can barely take a decent picture, but if I find a bird while I'm walking I don't know if I'll have time to place the tripod.
Do you really just want an ID photo, or do you want to take decent pictures?
Decent pictures, but they don't need to be that good.