I've found that in a non-zoom situation, there is not a lot of difference in the IS, however, in zoom mode, the double price tag of the P900 starts to show as it does also in the image quality whether in zoom or not. As a Canon guy, it hurts me to the heart to admit what all other tests show... that Nikon (apples to apples) has a better image quality. I'm anxious to see the new 5D's images and how they stack up against the high end Nikons although it may give me a severe gas attack.
Larry

I had the SX60 for a short while but I let a friend talk me out of it since I was already used to the 50. Kinda wish I had waited a while before I let it go. I recommend that you wait for a while and let the new wear off the P900 enough for the price to fall a bit or refurbs to start showing up and grab one. I've never dabbled in time lapse before but I think I'll give it a try now.

Hello again Speedy. I've had the 50 over a year and I'm still learning as well. I've found that exposure is everything when it comes to IQ with the SX50. Once you get that right, you can get pretty close to a good dslr.
Larry

Please go back and see the earlier post showing the same think at full optical. For some reason it didn't make the newsletter posts but it's out there.
Thanks,
Larry

Hi Jim, did you see the earlier post with the optical zoom? I wish the Sun had helped me out this weekend but to be honest I got about what I expected under the circumstances. Of course, since the digital zoom is nothing more than a crop, things go south fast.
Thanks for the response,
Larry

I agree and plan to hang on to both. The only thing I regret is that I don't live where you do so that I could take full advantage of both. Thanks for your response.
Larry

Lone Ranger, I think he was talking to me. I took your advise and have ordered the macro filter. Thanks for the tip.
Larry

Dear Michael, The original post was a response to a number of members that were struggling with the decision of whether to buy one or the other of these cameras. Since I have both, I offered to post an example of both full optical and full digital examples for the purpose of comparing the image quality. After a strong response in the affirmative, I posted this and one other with the full digital.
I think we all know that "83" is bigger than "50", however, for this test it's a moot point.
As to what did I expect... I expected at least one snide post from someone who came into the conversation in the middle and felt compelled to interject their wisdom. Thank you for taking care of this for me.
Larry

I've only had mine for a couple of weeks so I'm still learning what it will do. Totally impressed with what I've learned so far.

Part 2:
Here are a few of the differences in the 2 cameras:

Pros of Canon SX50:
Smaller and considerably lighter.
Shoots in RAW.
Quite a bit less expensive.
Super slow motion (capture a golf swing and find out why your game sucks)
Pretty good (not great) IS system.

Pros of Nikon P900:
Better image quality in my opinion.
Viewer sensor - automatically switches from live view when you want to use the viewer.
Time lapse and more choices in Scene mode.
Good IS system.

Both are great bridge cameras and I plan to keep both as backup to the 6D... of course unless something new comes out that I can blow $s on.
Hope this helps.
Larry

Full digital of SX50

(Download)

Full digital of P900

(Download)

Canon 6D with Sigma 500mm for grins

(Download)

As promised, here is the test of the above mentioned. Unfortunately the weather was not working with me so I did the best I could. The target is a vent stack atop a house located about a half block from my position. I will make a few comments on the observations I made on the next posting showing the full digital zoom comparison regarding the pros and cons of each camera.
Larry

Target - roof vent stack 2 houses down

(Download)

SX50 at full optical zoom

(Download)

P900 at full optical zoom

(Download)

Your avatar is difficult for me to look at although it's a beautiful cat. I had to have Murphy, my orange tabby, put to sleep yesterday. Hardest thing I've ever had to do.

All is forgiven... actually I learned that from the gurus hear at UHH.

It's a great lightweight camera Jay. Even thought I have the big gun P900, the SX50 is the camera that I have with me at all times. I even had the SX60 at one time and sold it because I liked the 50 better.
By the way, is that you in disguise playing the guitar. Nice picture.
Larry

When the camera is on a tripod and the shutter is delayed, the camera is as still as it can be. Image stabilization is an active adjustment to focus and could be in process during the snap, possibly causing an element of vibration. If the camera is as focused on a still subject as it can be, you don't want to introduce anything that could change that.
Thanks for your response.
Larry