MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Not sure exactly how to phrase this question/concern, so here goes:
I am looking to purchase a bridge camera for use on my upcoming trip to the Artic. A few days ago, I posted a topic asking for help in choosing between the Nikon P600 and the Canon SX50.
I got some really extremely helpful responses and I am very grateful for the help.
I am now down to only 2 possibilities: the Canon SX50 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200.
My question is: is the 2.8 aperture at all focal lengths on the Panasonic FZ200 a good thing or a bad thing compared to the 3.4(W) - 6.5(T) on the Canon?
I will be photographing in conditions with lots of light and glare. Of course, I do plan to get lots of use before and after the trip in all sorts of lighting conditions. I very rarely photograph indoors, nor do I use flash very much at all.
My main need for the bridge camera is the longer focal length (my 55-300 on my D5200 will not be long enough and I do not want to purchase/rent/lug around a longer zoom for my D5200 for this trip). The other must haves for the bridge is the ability of using a filter and or a hood with or without an adaptor required.
Thanks in advance, fellow UHH members.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

To answer the last question first, the FZ200 comes with a lens hood, and you should be able to attach a filter directly to the lens.

Now the first question: The f/2.8 remains at all focal lengths to assist the camera in autofocusing. Unless you choose a manual mode or semi-manual mode, the I/A, or intelligent auto function will select the proper aperture for most lighting situations. At least that is the experience I've had with my FZ200.

I am still learning to use the FZ200, but so far, after an initial disappointment (due to inexperience with the camera) I am quite pleased with it. If it has one drawback, it's that it seems to have quite a long recovery period while it processes an image to the SD card, but it may be due to not using a high speed card.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Don't forget about the TCON-17X adaptor for the Stylus 1... 510mm f2.8 with a larger sensor, higher IQ and dynamic range. But it does mean you have to put it on and off.

hb3 Loc: Texas

The real advantage of the FZ200 is the ability to shoot at F2.8 throughout the range of the lens...the advantage of the Canon is the additional reach...If I were you I would handle both and make my decision after observing them in action...

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Although the camera makers are beginning to bend the laws of physics with software, the basic parameters don't change.

Basically, the physical size of the lens and it's weight have to increase as either the diameter of the hole (aperature) increases or the magnification increase.

The FZ200 is a big deal for those that want the benefit of faster shutter speeds and lower noise ISOs. They give up on a little telephoto zoom to get it. The FZ200 has a 35mm camera equivalent of 25-600mm.

The SX50 is a big deal for those that want crazy telephoto zoom and will give up some shutter speed and accept higher ISOs with a little more noise to get it. The SX50 has a 35mm equivalent of 24-1200mm.

My choice for my wife as gift was the Panasonic with the brighter lens. But, I also gave her the Panasonic tele extender. When the wildlife is just too far away, she can get out a tripod and the extender with a reach of about 1400mm equivalent. (I forget the math, it might be 1200).

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Yep, I use the FZ200. The filters are 52mm screw in; they come in various price ranges depending on the manufacturer.

I've never noticed a long recovery period while processing an image to the SD card. I have shot fast multiple images and never lost a shot. I use a regular 8gb SD card.

As mentioned, get to know the camera before your vacation, if you buy it. Start with the IA+ mode which gives you options that you can view on the screen, plus you'll get incredible results. As you know, you get a 600mm telephoto; on my trip to Alaska I never needed to reach out that far.

Search for Graham Houghton on YouTube, he has all the tutorials you'll need for this camera. He has also produced a Pdf manual if you find videos hard to follow, get it here: http://www.grahamhoughton.com/download-section/ Enjoy your trip whatever you buy.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Along with the camera and extender, I gave her a $25 Class 10 32GB SD card. Shooting in Yellowstone two weeks ago, she had no complaints. Unfortunately, my only complaint is that her pictures are better than mine.

amehta Loc: Boston

The FZ200 has a "35mm equivalent field of view" (35EFoV) of a 600mm lens. The D5200 + 55-300mm has a 35EFoV of 450mm. If you crop the D5200 image to 12mp, you have a 35EFoV of 635mm, using an effective sensor which is 2.6x the area of the FZ200.

All this happens because your 55-300mm lens actually goes to 300mm, while the FZ200 lens actually goes to 108mm. The DSLR gives you the longer focal length.

To get to the 35EFoV of the Canon SX50, you have to crop the D5200 image to about 3mp, which is obviously less than the SX50's 12mp. But that still uses a slightly larger sensor area than the SX50, and 3mp is enough for 5x7" prints or HD TV slideshows.

Bottom line: I think your D5200 + 55-300mm lens is the best camera for the job.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thanks for your answer. Now, another question (I am new to DSLR photography and am still learning the lingo) - do the shutter speed mode and the aperture mode count as a semi-manual mode?
I use high speed cards - 10. What speed do you you use? Recovery time is very important to me due to the types of subjects and the conditions in which I shoot.
Also, what was your initial disappointment? Just curious - I prefer to learn from the mistakes of others rather than screw up royally all on my own. I have a Masters degree as well as a PhD in that!

amehta Loc: Boston

Thinking of shutter priority and aperture priority semi-manual makes sense. Using exposure compensation with them is very useful, it is the "override".

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Thank you!
I actually understand what you are saying. I know you weighed in on my initial post on the Nikon vs Canon bridge and I carefully considered what everyone had to say.
Now, I have to think about what I want to do with the images I take. Something else to throw into the mix!

amehta Loc: Boston

Yes, but this time I didn't say you should get any new equipment. ;-)

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

I do that a lot. I have to remember to re-set to zero, so to speak. That was a big screw up I made on the Isle of Skye. You should see all over the ridiculously over-exposed, beautifully composed shots of seals on rocks and herons and cormorants in flight I took. Maybe I need to think about thinking about PP. I'm just not there yet - need to concentrate on figuring out how to change things on the camera. Thank the lord, I am not new to photography. Just been a way for 40+ years. It is like swimming or riding a bike, though. The memory is there.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Hey, I just learned something. You can delete/shorten when you quote someone else's reply in your own!
Thanks for that!

amehta Loc: Boston

Don't worry about post processing for now. But if you shoot in raw+jpg, you can worry about post processing later with photos you take now. The best of both worlds, I think. :-)