Any bridge camera really good in low light? I have a Panasonic FZ200 with f2.8 fixed lens. I find it inadequate in low light conditions (e.g., shooting animals at dawn or dusk, birds...

VJG

I have a Panasonic FZ200 with f2.8 fixed lens. I find it inadequate in low light conditions (e.g., shooting animals at dawn or dusk, birds in dense foliage, etc.) because pictures get very grainy with ISO greater than 400. Is there any bridge camera that excels in these conditions, or do I need to get something with a larger sensor or a mirror-less camera? My Nikon DSLR is too heavy for me to carry anymore! I also do not want to change lenses so would need a zoom that goes from 25-600 mm. Thanks for any suggestions.

tsilva Loc: Arizona

most cameras are not "really good" in low light situations, some are marginally better than others, only you can decide what you can live with

Dick Duffy

I have the FZ-200 as well as the FZ-100 and the Fz-1000 they all take very good pictures in low lite I don't think you will find any thing better in the under $ 1000 price range .

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

I have the Lumix FZ200. In low light conditions set the ISO to 100. Yep the result will be grainy (noise) but you can take care of that with a free program. I have always been delighted with the results. The program is Noiseware Community. You can download it from here: http://noiseware-community-edition.en.softonic.com/

Here's an example low light shot after Noiseware correction.

(Download)

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

VJG wrote:

I have a Panasonic FZ200 with f2.8 fixed lens. I ... (show quote)

My Sony DSC-RX100M2, when set on full HDR, takes up to six shots and combines them in the camera for good results in low light. However, it would not be really that great for fast moving subjects in low light.

Orca Loc: Little Egg Harbor, NJ USA

I had the Panasonic FZ200 and found it very good in low light. Other friends had bridge and thought mine took the best photo's in low light.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Dick Duffy wrote:

I have the FZ-200 as well as the FZ-100 and the Fz-1000 they all take very good pictures in low lite I don't think you will find any thing better in the under $ 1000 price range .

Adorama has the Panasonic G5 with lens on sale for under $500. It uses a Micro 4/3 sensor and weighs under 8 ounces. It saves RAW files and has a viewfinder. I'm hoping for better high ISO performance.

Mine arrives Tomorrow.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

MtnMan wrote:

Adorama has the Panasonic G5 with lens on sale for under $500. It uses a Micro 4/3 sensor and weighs under 8 ounces. It saves RAW files and has a viewfinder. I'm hoping for better high ISO performance.

Mine arrives Tomorrow.

The Lumix (Panasonic) FZ-1000 has a 1" sensor, roughly 2/3 the size of a full-frame sensor. But it does a fairly good job in lower light situations, like dusk. Plus it has the Leica 25-400mm lens, which is a terrific range. Light weight to boot. No need to change lenses (can't do it anyway!).

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

VJG wrote:

I have a Panasonic FZ200 with f2.8 fixed lens. I ... (show quote)

Why should they be? The image is made by light falling on the sensor. Only so many photons can fall on a tiny sensor in a given length of time.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

VJG wrote:

I have a Panasonic FZ200 with f2.8 fixed lens. I ... (show quote)

Would you consider a mirrorless body with some lenses? Olympus, Sony, and Panasonic all make great bodies that are lighter than full size DSLR's. I recently bought a refurbished Olympus body and some prime lenses with f1.8 aperture, refurbished as well, and am very happy for the lighter weight, especially for travel (the main reason I made this purchase). The Olympus is still on a learning curve for me but I like it better than the Sony a6000 that I had previously. Just a consideration and not an attempt to force you away from a bridge camera if that is truly what you want.

marthamcc

Topaz Denoise is very good in PP for removing noise. They have a trial version.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

rmm0605 wrote:

The Lumix (Panasonic) FZ-1000 has a 1" sensor, roughly 2/3 the size of a full-frame sensor. But it does a fairly good job in lower light situations, like dusk. Plus it has the Leica 25-400mm lens, which is a terrific range. Light weight to boot. No need to change lenses (can't do it anyway!).

I don't think 1" sensor means 2/3 of the full-frame sensor. It's a 2.7x crop factor to full frame, it is 13.2mm X 8.8mm and the total area is 116 square mm, comparing to full frame's 36mm X 24mm and 864 sq. mm.

jcboy3

VJG wrote:

I have a Panasonic FZ200 with f2.8 fixed lens. I ... (show quote)

When it comes to low light performance, the bigger the sensor the better. The Panasonic LX100 has a 4/3 sensor, and a very fast lens (24-75 f/1.7-2.8). Not a bridge, but even more portable.

You want a super zoom, then you are not going to get a large sensor and a portable camera.

rbfanman

Get a Nikon 1...either a J5, or a V3. Then get an FT-1 Lens Adaptor, and then buy sharp Nikon F mount lenses (for the DX / FX DSLR cameras), and put them onto the FT-1 adaptor which you then put on the camera. It will be: small, lightweight, and great in low light. The Nikon 1 cameras are mirrorless, and the so called "one inch" sensor is not really one inch in size, and is smaller than a Micro Four Thirds sensor. It also provides a 2.7X crop factor...so a 100mm FX lens has a 270mm field of view.

buckbrush Loc: Texas then Southwest Oregon

Shakey wrote:

I have the Lumix FZ200. In low light conditions set the ISO to 100. Yep the result will be grainy (noise) but you can take care of that with a free program. I have always been delighted with the results. The program is Noiseware Community. You can download it from here: http://noiseware-community-edition.en.softonic.com/

Here's an example low light shot after Noiseware correction.

Hi Shakey
I liked the photo of the bridge in low light.
Do you know of a similar program for the Mac?

Best
Alex