Recently my Panasonic Lumix FZ 300 conked out. It was one of my favorite cameras; good image quality, excellent macro, constant f2.8 aperture, and not heavy. One of my interests is birds in flight (fat, slow birds.) The obvious choice is a 150-600 lens to hang on my Nikon d7500. But I am 82 years old and I doubt whether I can cope with the weight of that camera/lens combination. I did some research in an effort to repair the FZ300. But I discovered too many reports that low end Lumix cameras tend to break down. Also, that Panasonic service is not very good. So I have been thinking about the Canon power shot SX 70. If any of my fellow hogs have experience with the SX 70, I would be grateful for your opinions, particularly with respect to image quality. Many thanks. Davidb 1879.
Define image quality. The term means different things to different people.
At 82 if you liked the FZ300 so well why not buy another, damn the reports. I wholesaled building materials at one time and one of my retailers asked me to speak to a farmer who was deciding between 25-yr or 35-yr warranted shingles. I asked his age, he said 79, my answer was "does it make a difference unless you enjoy wasting money?"
BTW I looked seriously at the SX70 when it came out as a back-up travel camera but after extensive reviews and handling it in the store stayed with a Sony DSC-HX400 (having just sold my 300). Only 50x optical zoom vs Canon 65 but I felt(feel) better sharpness at full extension.
i had one and returned it, the image quality was not up to my standards. look at lumix cameras
For what it's worth, Canon has removed the center pin on the hot-shoe flash of the
SX70, SL3 & the T7. What this does is limit your choices in flash units. Previous units could accommodate third party flashes at a fraction of the cost of Canon's lineup. For many, the on-board flash is all that is needed but IMO this handicaps the cameras ability and essentially forces you to buy a Canon flash.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08ZmFclDaKE
davidb1879 wrote:
Recently my Panasonic Lumix FZ 300 conked out. It was one of my favorite cameras; good image quality, excellent macro, constant f2.8 aperture, and not heavy. One of my interests is birds in flight (fat, slow birds.) The obvious choice is a 150-600 lens to hang on my Nikon d7500. But I am 82 years old and I doubt whether I can cope with the weight of that camera/lens combination. I did some research in an effort to repair the FZ300. But I discovered too many reports that low end Lumix cameras tend to break down. Also, that Panasonic service is not very good. So I have been thinking about the Canon power shot SX 70. If any of my fellow hogs have experience with the SX 70, I would be grateful for your opinions, particularly with respect to image quality. Many thanks. Davidb 1879.
Recently my Panasonic Lumix FZ 300 conked out. It ... (
show quote)
Go with another FZ300. It's still current and you're familiar with the menus and layout of the controls, which is a big plus in terms of being able to do more shooting and not having to learn your way around a new system and layout. There really is no advantage for you to get the SX70. You should be able to get a like new FZ300 used for $300-$350.
Jazztrader wrote:
... You should be able to get a like new FZ300 used for $300-$350.
See the link I provided above. Brand new on sale for $398.
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If you like the Panasonic's consider getting the Leica equivalent model. It comes with a longer warranty, red dot prestige, and a few minor changes. Of course, you will pay more for it but if you are worried about repair Leica will take care of you.
davidb1879 wrote:
Recently my Panasonic Lumix FZ 300 conked out. It was one of my favorite cameras; good image quality, excellent macro, constant f2.8 aperture, and not heavy. One of my interests is birds in flight (fat, slow birds.) The obvious choice is a 150-600 lens to hang on my Nikon d7500. But I am 82 years old and I doubt whether I can cope with the weight of that camera/lens combination. I did some research in an effort to repair the FZ300. But I discovered too many reports that low end Lumix cameras tend to break down. Also, that Panasonic service is not very good. So I have been thinking about the Canon power shot SX 70. If any of my fellow hogs have experience with the SX 70, I would be grateful for your opinions, particularly with respect to image quality. Many thanks. Davidb 1879.
Recently my Panasonic Lumix FZ 300 conked out. It ... (
show quote)
Either get another FZ300 or look at the Lumix FZ1000. Bigger, one inch, sensor. Only goes to 400mm though.
Have SX60 and SX70. The 60 seems to be better to me. 70 is noiser in low light I believe. Just a quick observation.
In 2015 I took Lillian Stokes advice from the 2013 posting and have never been sorry. Great camera, great images. Quite portable and easy to handle. I have a Nikon D850 with several Nikon gold ring lenses and often cannot tell which camera i used until I check the data. No regrets 5 years later, still a winner.
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