Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

I have heard many on the forum attest to the qualities of the Canon SX40 - I was considering buying one but wonder has anyone had any experience of the Nikon P510 - they both look impressive cameras but I cannot make up my mind. I have only recently bought the Canon EOS T3i ( 600D ) and don't know whether to stick with Canon or maybe try a Nikon camera for a change.

Any comments or advice would be much appreciated.

User-P510 Loc: Wales

Well it maybe worth sticking with canon as they may have a similar menu system...between the two it's about what your personal preference's are as in hotshoe etc,....i went for the nikon for it's sharp big zoom distortion free lens from wide to long end and it's 920k dot Lcd screen,

Also realizing the thing's i don't need as never used them when i had them on previous camera's...as in filter's raw and hotshoe....both camera's are very capable of taking excellent picture's and i am not going to say one is better than the other as i went through the same process of trying to choose between the two...it's just the big number of 42x won in the end for me...and also a bonus the digital/crop zoom works very fine indeed,

All i can say is my nikon takes excellent picture's wether it's optical or digital as seen in the Nikon P510 thread...good luck on your choice as i know it is a hard one.

tramsey Loc: Texas

Go to the top of the page and you will see a list of words in blue. The third or fourth is 'SEARCH' click on it and put your question in the window. You'll get a ton of information.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

I looked at both, along with Fuji and some others and settled on the Canon SX40 because of the articulating screen, plus the hot shoe and I do not regret the decision. And the vibration reduction makes it fairly easy to get good results hand holding even with the zeoom extended. Check my pansies thread and my posts with examples on some of the other threads about the SX40 vs P510 and others..

Hand-held, equiv to approx 2200-2500mm lens!

maydincanada Loc: Saskatchewan, Canada

I looked at both too as a matter of face before I bought. THe main issue for me was the "feel" in my hands as I previously had carpal tunnel syndrome and my hands are still clumsy. I could grip the canon better especially for macro shots where I have to hold the camera for a longer time. It was a difficult choice as I love both products.

maydincanada Loc: Saskatchewan, Canada

I looked at both too as a matter of face before I bought. THe main issue for me was the "feel" in my hands as I previously had carpal tunnel syndrome and my hands are still clumsy. I could grip the canon better especially for macro shots where I have to hold the camera for a longer time. It was a difficult choice as I love both products.

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

I have plumped for the SX40 just ordered on www.valuebasket.com for £258.00 ( $404 ) - not a bad price I think.

I think in the end it was partly about the specs but also trust for canon and a dose of emotion too LOL!!!

Thanks for all your advice fellow UUHers and I did follow up all of the links - had to sit down and think after information overload!!

User-P510 Loc: Wales

I think you personally made the right choice...the SX40 is a great camera and that's coming from a P510 owner. :)

And if interested in macro look at the Raynox DCR-150...i've posted a few in the Nikon P510 thread.

Graeme Loc: El Cerrito, California

Let me say it for the Lumix FZ-150 which serve me very well in my first real testing: over 2,000 stills plus videos in Bali. Pity the FZ-200 is coming out so soon; (Although not if you are in the market for one.)

Millismote Loc: Massachusetts

I looked at both, along with Fuji and some others and settled on the Canon SX40 because of the articulating screen, plus the hot shoe and I do not regret the decision. And the vibration reduction makes it fairly easy to get good results hand holding even with the zeoom extended. Check my pansies thread and my posts with examples on some of the other threads about the SX40 vs P510 and others..[/quote]

The picture of the moon is very impressive, I will buy a bridge camera at the local camera show in early October. Right now I am leaning towards the Lumix FZ 200 because of the constant f stop and the ability to shoot in raw. The zoom is advertized at " 24x optical zoom can be doubled to 48x with the Intelligent Zoom function. Intelligent Resolution, POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) and Active Mode will keep images clear and shake-free even when shooting with such a high zoom" I assume the Intelligent Zoom mode is another way of saying digital zoom. Any thoughts on this?

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

Hi Wahawk - just checked out your Pansies thread - beautiful shots - pansies are so interesting and exceptionally colourful and always remind me of little faces.
I presume you did the block backgrounds with PSE - but how did you get them so even? - first class PP.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

The picture of the moon is very impressive, I will buy a bridge camera at the local camera show in early October. Right now I am leaning towards the Lumix FZ 200 because of the constant f stop and the ability to shoot in raw. The zoom is advertized at " 24x optical zoom can be doubled to 48x with the Intelligent Zoom function. Intelligent Resolution, POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) and Active Mode will keep images clear and shake-free even when shooting with such a high zoom" I assume the Intelligent Zoom mode is another way of saying digital zoom. Any thoughts on this?[/quote]

Intelligent Zoom is 'digital' that goes through the built in software to add pixels to make the complete picture at full pixel count. The moon slice I posted above uses Canon's version of the Intelligent Zoom. That was 35x optical plus close to 4x Intelligent Zoom for a total of close to 140x!!!

If you 'need' RAW, the SX40 will let you add the "CHDK" program on and SD card and shoot with raw, plus use a remote and other nice things. I have not used this yet but others have and love it.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

I did the black backgrounds in PaintShopPro x4. I added a blank 'layer' and did a 'flood' fill with black, then sent that layer to the bottom. Next I used the eraser to remove most of the busy background and finished up with the 'background' eraser that lets you work closer to the main image without destroying it.
Thanks for the compliments!!

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

Thanks - great technique and gives a more professional finish - I have never used layers but will have to practise with your technique. - I do need to get to gripswith the layers functions as I am seriously missing out on the full PSE potential.

VDM1766 Loc: Winnipeg, MB Canada

I just traded in my Nikon Coolpix L110 for the P510. Yesterday morning I spent at a local farm with my grandkids trying it out. I am really impressed with the clarity of the shots and the vibrant color. I also like the added zoom. I have also like the grip and weight of this camera. This camera is promoted for outdoor photography. I love to take pictures of the birds and other wildlife so was drawn to this model. Here is a shot taken yesterday at the farm (unedited).