Should I return this gift?
Dec 25, 2011 20:03:41 #
I've been following this forum for a few weeks, but just registered to post today. Years ago ('74-'94?) I had a film SLR and saw myself as a 'photographer'. Lost the camera, quit taking photos. A few years ago my wife gave me a basic Nikon P&S, which I used to take some good photos (mostly snapshots of the grandkids) but now I'm ready for a little more versatility & quality. I don't really want a full DSLR (more size, weight & cost than I want to bother with) but something more than a pocket camera -- so I've been looking at "in betweens" in the $300-600 range. One that was recommended by a relative in the Lumix series by Panasonic... My wife knew this so ordered me a Lumix DMC-GF3K for Christmas.
But I've done some more research (including this forum) since then and thinking maybe a "super zoom" camera has more of what I want. Something like the Canon SX40 HS... Don't necessarily need super zoom, but the Canon has other features.
Questions: Which has better image quality? How much will I miss the optical viewfinder if I keep the Lumix? And how limiting will the 14-42mm lens (that comes with the Lumix) be? I mostly take photos of my grandsons, and travel/nature; will probably start taking flowers, waterfalls, etc again. Some sports (oldest grandson plays football, but I usually leave those shots to the photogeeks with very long telephoto -- my Nikon Coolpix was no good for that). If I have to buy a long lens for the Lumix, the price advantage gets flipped real quickly... I'm not going to do a ton of post-shoot editing (don't have time, still work 5-6 days/wk) but want to compose & shoot good quality stills (& short video clips) I can be proud of. Ideas?
But I've done some more research (including this forum) since then and thinking maybe a "super zoom" camera has more of what I want. Something like the Canon SX40 HS... Don't necessarily need super zoom, but the Canon has other features.
Questions: Which has better image quality? How much will I miss the optical viewfinder if I keep the Lumix? And how limiting will the 14-42mm lens (that comes with the Lumix) be? I mostly take photos of my grandsons, and travel/nature; will probably start taking flowers, waterfalls, etc again. Some sports (oldest grandson plays football, but I usually leave those shots to the photogeeks with very long telephoto -- my Nikon Coolpix was no good for that). If I have to buy a long lens for the Lumix, the price advantage gets flipped real quickly... I'm not going to do a ton of post-shoot editing (don't have time, still work 5-6 days/wk) but want to compose & shoot good quality stills (& short video clips) I can be proud of. Ideas?
Dec 25, 2011 20:45:41 #
In the spirit of "Let's keep the wife happy" LOL I'd say the new camera is a step up from what you currently were using. Get used to it, learn it's capabilities. Your birthday can't be that far off :)
Dec 26, 2011 07:31:53 #
"Some sports (oldest grandson plays football)" My son played football so I started with the camera I had, graduated to a Nikon EM, added telephoto lens, then autowind. Those other photographers were not that interested in my son's antics.
That son made all district in HS ... all conference in college .... .and was picked up by the Cincinatti Bengals. Today is is a cinematographer for NFL Films.
Your grandson will be eternally grateful for any pictures.
That son made all district in HS ... all conference in college .... .and was picked up by the Cincinatti Bengals. Today is is a cinematographer for NFL Films.
Your grandson will be eternally grateful for any pictures.
The Super Bowl in Dallas
Dec 26, 2011 07:38:26 #
kbikski wrote:
I've been following this forum for a few weeks, bu... (show quote)
You previously use a film SLR and you used the view finder. With most PSs you don't have a view finder. Therefore in bright light, if you use just the LCD screen, you'll have difficulty in "seeing" what your shooting at.
I would suggest the Nikon P7100 or the Canon G12, both have view finders. I would suggest you review them and others that do have a view finder.
Good luck and let us know what you decide!
Dec 26, 2011 07:49:26 #
You use the camera a lot for pics of the grandkids. The wife will most likely not be upset if you want to trade it for a different camera. She got it because she knew you wanted a new camera and wanted you to be happy. Talk to her; bet she still wants that for you.
Dec 26, 2011 09:27:26 #
traveler90712 wrote:
quote=kbikski I've been following this forum for ... (show quote)
Odd; I have three Kodaks that are considered point-and-shoot; c360, zx7590, and z980 and they all have viewfinders. My z980 has 24x optical, 12mp, a fiull range of program and manual settings including RAW, white balance, and a host of others, and I have a hard time viewing it as a P&S. But that's for another post.
Dec 26, 2011 10:00:24 #
I guess what your looking for is a "bridge " camera...between a point & shoot and a DSLR. I'm familer with the Nikon P-500 36X lens. Other companies make exellent cameras also. If you want to get up close to far away objects and your not ready for a DSLR, a "bridge " camera is the way to go.
Dec 26, 2011 10:07:59 #
GEARHEAD6PACK wrote:
The Kodak Z 980 is considerd a "bridge" camera...between a pocket point&shoot and a DSLR. Some "bridge" cameras are big enough to resemble DSLR's quote=traveler90712 quote=kbikski I've been foll... (show quote)
Dec 26, 2011 14:01:27 #
Yes, she does. No problem with exchanging it, and the store does carry the SX40 also. So it's just a question of what will work best for me/us.
Dec 26, 2011 14:41:58 #
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