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Super zoom camera users - SX50, P1000 etc.
Jan 15, 2020 22:38:17   #
Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan
 
I posted this in the main discussion forum, but didn't get much response. Are some folks here using the various super zoom cameras?

While the Canon SX50 super zoom can be useful in the field, it struggles when trying to fill the frame with a 2-6" subject at 5-10 feet away, because auto-focus won't work under those conditions.

I wonder if the other super zooms, like the Nikon P series, Nikon B700, Panasonic Lumix FZ80, have a similar issue.

Minimum auto-focus distances at various zoom amounts on the Canon SX50 -

24mm - 0"
100mm - 2"
135mm - 9"
200mm - 14"
300mm - 30"
400mm - 60"
600mm - 80"
800mm - 60"
1200mm - 45"

Note that those are (roughly) the minimum distance at which the auto-focus works, not necessarily the minimum focusing distances. Also note that the focal lengths are "35 mm equivalent" figures as marked on the barrel of the lens. Who knows how accurate any of that is, but that does not matter for this test.

I added in the variable of filling the frame at each of the focal lengths, whatever distance that dictated, since on real life that is what we want to do. Testing that, at 300mm-600mm zoom amounts, you cannot fill the frame with a 1-6" subject and get auto-focus to work. In casual use, that might not seem like a problem - just zoom out, move in closer until you can fill the frame, and then focus. But if you are trying to shoot, say, butterflies or other insects or small critters, that 60-80" range, which means 300mm-600mm zoom to fill the frame, occurs very frequently. Even with plants and relatively stationary subjects, it is a pain to have auto-focus fail in that middle range. You are forced to zoom out and move very close or zoom in and move farther way.

Anyone else noticing this with the SX50? Do the competitive super zooms have a similar problem?

Mike

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Jan 16, 2020 09:49:57   #
Wackerino
 
I have a Canon sx530 and a Panasonic fz70. I haven't paid enough attention to the details, but I have had times when I've had to drop the final image to fill the screen. I've also had times when I find that the picture I have is good enough for me, without thinking too much about what I wanted. You have given me a new object of photog-experimenting!
Greg

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Jan 16, 2020 13:06:41   #
Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan
 
Wackerino wrote:
I have a Canon sx530 and a Panasonic fz70. I haven't paid enough attention to the details, but I have had times when I've had to drop the final image to fill the screen. I've also had times when I find that the picture I have is good enough for me, without thinking too much about what I wanted. You have given me a new object of photog-experimenting!
Greg


Thanks for the response, Greg. Try it out. Small object (say 1-3"), stand 5-10 feet away, zoom to fill the frame with the object (which will be in the 300mm to 800mm equivalent focal length range) then try to get autofocus to work.

Mike

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Jan 16, 2020 13:17:43   #
Wackerino
 
Thanks, Mike. I will try that. Our daughter has the Panasonic, so I'll have to wat. I'm guessing the 530 is very close to, if not the same as, the 50.
Greg

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Jan 16, 2020 13:24:52   #
Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan
 
Wackerino wrote:
Thanks, Mike. I will try that. Our daughter has the Panasonic, so I'll have to wat. I'm guessing the 530 is very close to, if not the same as, the 50.
Greg


The SX50 has given a lot of good service, but I want to be able to shoot small things - frogs, toads, snakes, butterflies, other insects from a distance of 4-7 feet rather than 5" or 15 feet.

Looking at some reviews comparing image quality on the super zooms, the Nikons are outperforming the Canons (and everyone else).

Ah, it just occurred to me that the "what camera should I buy?" threads always get a ton of action. Maybe I should try that approach to get more response, I think there must be quote a few UHH members here who are using super zooms, but I can't seem to get any input from them.

Mike

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