P900 vs. Canon G3 X: As a novice, whose main interest is in purchasing a bridge camera for wildlife shots, I am debating the choice of P900 or G3 X (+ purchase of EVF) I'm aware of the...

Scruffy Loc: North Ridgeville

As a novice, whose main interest is in purchasing a bridge camera for wildlife shots, I am debating the choice of P900 or G3 X (+ purchase of EVF) I'm aware of the range difference and the price difference. The ability of G3 X to shoot in RAW doen't really enhance or deter my choice, as I have no PP experience. Any opinions or advice is appreciated, especially from G3 X users, as I've only seen comments on the Hog about P900.

tramsey Loc: Texas

I have zero experience with either of these cameras. I think I will just sit back here in the shadows and watch and learn

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Scruffy wrote:

As a novice, whose main interest is in purchasing a bridge camera for wildlife shots, I am debating the choice of P900 or G3 X (+ purchase of EVF) I'm aware of the range difference and the price difference. The ability of G3 X to shoot in RAW doen't really enhance or deter my choice, as I have no PP experience. Any opinions or advice is appreciated, especially from G3 X users, as I've only seen comments on the Hog about P900.

Before the P900 existed, the Canon SX-50 seemed to be the bridge camera of choice; for some reason, its successor, the SX-60, never seemed to catch on, but the SX-50 is still regularly available {and you should still be able to find a lot of SX-50 pictures available here}.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

I have a Nikon P 900. It is a fantastic camera. I have found that a tripod is invaluable when reaching 2000 mm. My only issue, which is symptomatic of EVF is that in bright sunlight it is impossible to use the EVF, you must use the led screen. Good luck,

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Scruffy wrote:

As a novice, whose main interest is in purchasing a bridge camera for wildlife shots, I am debating the choice of P900 or G3 X (+ purchase of EVF) I'm aware of the range difference and the price difference. The ability of G3 X to shoot in RAW doen't really enhance or deter my choice, as I have no PP experience. Any opinions or advice is appreciated, especially from G3 X users, as I've only seen comments on the Hog about P900.

Try some comparisons and decide what features are important to you. That long zoom is a big advantage.

(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

Jerrin1 Loc: Wolverhampton, England

Scruffy wrote:

As a novice, whose main interest is in purchasing a bridge camera for wildlife shots, I am debating the choice of P900 or G3 X (+ purchase of EVF) I'm aware of the range difference and the price difference. The ability of G3 X to shoot in RAW doen't really enhance or deter my choice, as I have no PP experience. Any opinions or advice is appreciated, especially from G3 X users, as I've only seen comments on the Hog about P900.

When I took up photography last year, following a 23 year lull, I wanted a Nikon P900. Unfortunately, I could not get hold of one in the UK. I ended up with a Canon G3X and a Canon 70D. I bought the EVF (a great bit of kit) for the G3X, as I am hopeless with a rear LCD panel. Though I felt the G3X was good, I did think that it was a bit soft at 600mm. Compared to the 70D I also found the focusing too slow for my liking and I did not rate it for wildlife photography (which is my main interest). Within a couple of weeks of shooting digital I realised that RAW was the only shooting option for me: so, although I was initially disappointed that I was unable to purchase a Nikon P900 it worked out for the best in the end. That 2000mm zoom still makes my mouth water though. I ended up part exchanging my G3X for a Canon 7D mark 11.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

MikeMcK wrote:

I have a Nikon P 900. It is a fantastic camera. I have found that a tripod is invaluable when reaching 2000 mm. My only issue, which is symptomatic of EVF is that in bright sunlight it is impossible to use the EVF, you must use the led screen. Good luck,

That sounds backwards to me. I've never been able to use an LED in sunlight; I have a Hoodman to use with my Pentax {no viewfinder of any kind} because I cannot see the LED well enough to meaningfully compose in sunlight.

EdU239 Loc: The Northeast

Scruffy wrote:

As a novice, whose main interest is in purchasing a bridge camera for wildlife shots, I am debating the choice of P900 or G3 X (+ purchase of EVF) I'm aware of the range difference and the price difference. The ability of G3 X to shoot in RAW doen't really enhance or deter my choice, as I have no PP experience. Any opinions or advice is appreciated, especially from G3 X users, as I've only seen comments on the Hog about P900.

I believe Nikon has the usual compact sensor (1 over 2/3 ?) while the G3X has a larger Sony 1" sensor. That should mean better images for the Canon all else being equal. I've used a G3X. I liked the pictures but I was frustrated because I found the EVF clumsy to use, plus it adds bulk to the camera. I imagine I'd get comfortable with it if I used it enough.

You might see if you can rent one or both cameras for a few days from someplace like LensRentals or BorrowLenses (online) or you local camera store. Someone else mentioned the Canon SX50 which is older and doesn't have the reach of the P900 but takes very good pictures. Pretty inexpensive if you can find a refurbished one on the Canon web site.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Scruffy wrote:

As a novice, whose main interest is in purchasing a bridge camera for wildlife shots, I am debating the choice of P900 or G3 X (+ purchase of EVF) I'm aware of the range difference and the price difference. The ability of G3 X to shoot in RAW doen't really enhance or deter my choice, as I have no PP experience. Any opinions or advice is appreciated, especially from G3 X users, as I've only seen comments on the Hog about P900.

You mentioned not caring about RAW or not, if you stay with nature photography, you probably will. I'd get that ability now and slowly work into post processing.

If you do decide to slowly work into post processing, leasing is a waste of money.

If price is a big concern, Paint Shop Pro is on a really good sale right now, (I think around 50 bucks usd), and you own it.

From there just do a small post edit thing here a a thing there over several months.

Much better than to think you need to hurry up and learn a monthly payment program and in several months have nothing should you decide to stop paying for it.

I went that way, (purchasing not leasing), and learned a few things over a year and now have a reasonable knowledge of it.

*(I use Capture One Pro 9 which perfects most things in the first place. It's more expensive at first but I feel beats LR hands down in the long run.)

photodad34

I have used the Canon G3 X now for about a year. The resolution of the 1" sensor makes cropping results much better than the older P & S cameras. I have had excellent luck taking photos of hummingbirds and blowing them up to where the bird fills the 8 x 10 photo. Shooting at 1/1,200 second has done a good job of freezing the wing motion. Most of my shots are taken at a distance of about 25 feet, and use a burst mode. Previously I have had several Canons and Olympus superzooms, and find the G3 X by far superior. I would like to take another trip to British Columbia to photograph wildlife such as bear, eagles, loons and some other critters. I have had good luck on previous trips to the Discovery Island group sometimes looking around the skyline and counting over 100 Bald Eagles.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

MikeMcK wrote:

I have a Nikon P 900. It is a fantastic camera. I have found that a tripod is invaluable when reaching 2000 mm. My only issue, which is symptomatic of EVF is that in bright sunlight it is impossible to use the EVF, you must use the led screen. Good luck,

The other way around, isn’t it? Bright sunlight washes out the LCD screen. I won’t have a camera that doesn’t have either an optical or an electronic viewfinder.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

kb6kgx wrote:

The other way around, isn’t it? Bright sunlight washes out the LCD screen. I won’t have a camera that doesn’t have either an optical or an electronic viewfinder.

Yes you are right.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I'll keep my Canon SX-50.

Scruffy Loc: North Ridgeville

Thanks to all for the various responses, especially GENorkus for the advice on PP. I am amazed daily by the levels of expertise on UHH!

dpcjr10

I have had the g3x for six months. It is great. I have shot birds, air shows,close ups and landscapes. The lens and Sony sensor produce good prints up to 11x14. I have a 7d and a m3 with lenses from 8 to 500mm and 4 macros. I think the g3x works great for everything except birds in flight. I carry it everywhere.