Superzoom for African Safari - lightweight?
Apr 26, 2018 13:50:53 #
I will be taking a Sony RX10-iV to Kenya. I have been trying it out over the last couple of weeks & am pleased with the versatility, convenience & IQ. Attached is a shot I took this weekend, best seen as download.
Apr 26, 2018 14:12:56 #
Amazing! Thank you all for your help! I like the idea of taking a different type of camera as a back-up.(there go a pair of shoes from my duffel!) Right now I have a Nikon P600 which has a fabulous zoom but is really slow - especially when I am trying to focus. It also freezes a lot - I certainly don't want to have a great photo op and have to stop and take my battery out to unfreeze my camera! But I could have the P600 as a back-up and for more leisurely photo situations.
I would love to have the Sony RX10 IV but it does have a pretty steep price tag compared to the other suggestions you all have made. I'm leaning towards the SX60.
I am going to see if I can find a SX60, an HX90, and a FZ1000 along with the RX10 III & IV to see how they feel in my hands and if my grip will be reasonably secure.
Thanks again for taking time to help me out! I hope to come back and post some cool pictures!
I'm attaching some examples of the P600's range in case others are considering a newer version.
I would love to have the Sony RX10 IV but it does have a pretty steep price tag compared to the other suggestions you all have made. I'm leaning towards the SX60.
I am going to see if I can find a SX60, an HX90, and a FZ1000 along with the RX10 III & IV to see how they feel in my hands and if my grip will be reasonably secure.
Thanks again for taking time to help me out! I hope to come back and post some cool pictures!
I'm attaching some examples of the P600's range in case others are considering a newer version.
Apr 26, 2018 20:03:44 #
lmkb wrote:
I am going to Botswana next month and would like to take a camera with a great zoom but probably don't want to mess with interchangeable lenses due to weight restrictions. I also need a camera that is not too heavy because I have small hands and Parkinson's. I have received several suggestions but would like some opinions and advice. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000, SONY RX10 III, Sony Cyber-shot Dsc-rx10 Iv, and Canon Powershot G3 X have all been recommended. What do you think?
Sony RX10 IV .....it's simple !
..
Apr 26, 2018 20:25:09 #
First and foremost, take a backup camera. You never know... I managed to drop my 2.5 year old FZ1000 on FROZEN ground in China, losing the 200-400 zoom range as it landed on the extended lens, though it was still usable otherwise. That said, I just bought another FZ1000 as I like it so much. Meets my needs, especially for travel. Light weight, well balanced, easy to handle. Zoom range satisfactory for me, mostly (always nice to have more). Capabilities sufficient for my use of travel photography, especially having RAW. I like the burst mode (use a fast card), and the "scene: hand held night shot", used both for night and inside museums - no tripod required. My travel partner has an FZ300, which she likes. The FZ300 zooms out to 600 (25-600, constant 2.8). (FZ1000: 25-400, 2.8-4). FZ300 does have less MP (12 compared to 20), but the FZ300 is also "dust and splash proof" (FZ1000 is not, though I've not had any problems even in inclement weather).
Buy extra batteries; I carry 4 branded (Panasonic genuine batteries - expensive, but not when compared to missing shots or less capacity with off-brand). Get a good camera strap (I like the OP/TECH USA Super Classic Strap - Bino 3/8-Inch (Black) - it's NOT detachable, which I prefer). I also carry a Green Extreme Dual Smart Charger (you buy slide-in plates for various battery models, though can only charge 2 of the same model at once, but it does charge 2 batteries at once. I carry the camera's charger as a backup.)
Whichever camera(s) you choose, try them out first, and become familiar with them BEFORE you go. Both of the Panasonics are fairly straightforward, but you don't want to be fumbling around while on safari.
Buy extra batteries; I carry 4 branded (Panasonic genuine batteries - expensive, but not when compared to missing shots or less capacity with off-brand). Get a good camera strap (I like the OP/TECH USA Super Classic Strap - Bino 3/8-Inch (Black) - it's NOT detachable, which I prefer). I also carry a Green Extreme Dual Smart Charger (you buy slide-in plates for various battery models, though can only charge 2 of the same model at once, but it does charge 2 batteries at once. I carry the camera's charger as a backup.)
Whichever camera(s) you choose, try them out first, and become familiar with them BEFORE you go. Both of the Panasonics are fairly straightforward, but you don't want to be fumbling around while on safari.
FZ1000 China red crowned crane
FZ300 Rose Parade flyover (one of 1st uses))
Apr 26, 2018 21:23:49 #
My two pennies:
Canon SX60HS with monopod, both shots "point and shoot" and not altered anyway. The birdo is almost in the middle of the first shot.
Canon SX60HS with monopod, both shots "point and shoot" and not altered anyway. The birdo is almost in the middle of the first shot.
Apr 26, 2018 21:43:01 #
Quincykitty wrote:
My two pennies:
Canon SX60HS with monopod, both shots "point and shoot" and not altered anyway. The birdo is almost in the middle of the first shot.
Canon SX60HS with monopod, both shots "point and shoot" and not altered anyway. The birdo is almost in the middle of the first shot.
I also have used a monopod with small sensor superzoom cameras. Good technique can not be over rated. It goes a long way. Excellent comment.
Apr 27, 2018 00:16:32 #
If this African safari is a rare experience, having the long reach with a bridge camera having 60x optical zoom plus digital zoom can be very valuable and useful for the instances when you can't get close to animals.
Some examples: https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/348745/the-best-bridge-cameras
Often there isn't much time to be swapping lenses on the safari drive (also to keep dust out of the body, the less swapping the better), so two cameras work but then that is a lot of gear to travel with.
Besides a monopod, a sandbag (Ziploc) can be used as a steady rest. If you are in a Jeep/land rover back seat, you may have to maneuver around other people to get the shot. We weren't allowed to step out of the vehicle except at designated rest stops.
The attached pictures are examples of what super zoom can do, although this was 8 years ago with a Canon sx30 (only 30x optical zoom). The fish eagle in the tree was shot from 150 yards or more looking down from the deck during happy hour.
Some examples: https://www.pcmag.com/roundup/348745/the-best-bridge-cameras
Often there isn't much time to be swapping lenses on the safari drive (also to keep dust out of the body, the less swapping the better), so two cameras work but then that is a lot of gear to travel with.
Besides a monopod, a sandbag (Ziploc) can be used as a steady rest. If you are in a Jeep/land rover back seat, you may have to maneuver around other people to get the shot. We weren't allowed to step out of the vehicle except at designated rest stops.
The attached pictures are examples of what super zoom can do, although this was 8 years ago with a Canon sx30 (only 30x optical zoom). The fish eagle in the tree was shot from 150 yards or more looking down from the deck during happy hour.
Apr 29, 2018 13:22:52 #
I would take my RX10iv . But mostly I would be using a full frame with a really good 100-400 zoom(its Africa ) Have fun! I’m hoping to go again soon.
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