Which camera I'd I choose: I am planning to replace a Nikon P7000...We are going to Alaska next summer and do travel a lot so my need is a camera for travel, grand kids, and...

refswife

I am planning to replace a Nikon P7000...We are going to Alaska next summer and do travel a lot so my need is a camera for travel, grand kids, and landscapes...I am down to the canon sx50 or the Panasonic Lumix dmc fz200..I also really like the Sony alpha a57 but have never had a Dslr or have had to change a lens...It seems several members are giving up the dslrs for the newer cameras...your thoughts please...

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

The grass is always greener, and the next camera is always better.

Are you satisfied with the pictures you take with the P7000? If not, what additional capabilities or features are you seeking?

refswife

P7000 is slow especially with the grand kids and it does not have great zoom...does not have great low light capability

EstherP

refswife wrote:

P7000 is slow especially with the grand kids and it does not have great zoom...does not have great low light capability

I am not familiar with this camera, but wonder if getting a faster memory card (check your manual to see if there is a maximum speed the camera will accept) and/or a faster lens might not be the solution?

EstherP

warrior Loc: Paso Robles CA

refswife wrote:

I am planning to replace a Nikon P7000...We are going to Alaska next summer and do travel a lot so my need is a camera for travel, grand kids, and landscapes...I am down to the canon sx50 or the Panasonic Lumix dmc fz200..I also really like the Sony alpha a57 but have never had a Dslr or have had to change a lens...It seems several members are giving up the dslrs for the newer cameras...your thoughts please...

Have you looked at the Nikon D600?

refswife

The p7000 is a bridge camera so can not change lens at least not with this camera...I do have high speed sd cards...the problem seems to be more with the lag time once you push shutter...I have the latest firmware update but it doesn't help....struggling with choosing a superzoom bridge camera or the bigger step to a Dslr but do I really want to carry lenses especially traveling...so many choices...need good advice for sure

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

refswife wrote:

The p7000 is a bridge camera so can not change lens at least not with this camera...I do have high speed sd cards...the problem seems to be more with the lag time once you push shutter...I have the latest firmware update but it doesn't help....struggling with choosing a superzoom bridge camera or the bigger step to a Dslr but do I really want to carry lenses especially traveling...so many choices...need good advice for sure

My first recommendation would be that you try out several cameras at the store, and maybe even beg, borrow or rent one that you like for a weekend. If things like the lag time when you push the shutter are important, make sure that the one you like works satisfactorily.

I have both DSLRs and P&S cameras, and they all have positives and negatives associated with them. I also find that unless I am taking an airplane flight specifically for the purpose of photographing something, the DSLRs stay at home and the P&Ss come along. The weight and bulk of a camera bag aren't worth it for unplanned shots.

refswife

That's what I want to know....we will be in Alaska for 12 days with great scenery but on tours etc. and do I really want to have a Dslr or a good superzoom bridge camera

DigitalDon Loc: Calgary, Alberta

refswife wrote:

I am planning to replace a Nikon P7000...We are going to Alaska next summer and do travel a lot so my need is a camera for travel, grand kids, and landscapes...I am down to the canon sx50 or the Panasonic Lumix dmc fz200..I also really like the Sony alpha a57 but have never had a Dslr or have had to change a lens...It seems several members are giving up the dslrs for the newer cameras...your thoughts please...

Regardless of which way you go, buy your camera at least 3 months in advance. Use it a lot for at least 3 months, let it become part of you, that way one item is taken care of. You don't want to be learning your camera on the way down. You'll want to admire the many postcard pics available to you in Alaska.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

The Canon SX50 has a much improved shot-to-shot time, plus an AWESOME zoom.
The Lumix is also very nice, but a more limited zoom.
Either would make a good choice depending on your need for the zoom.

I currently use the Canon SX40 and don't have any intentions of ever returning to the SLR or changeable lens type cameras. The bridge camera give most all of the capability without having to take time to change lens, which makes it possible to let dust into the sensor and internal parts of the camera. I know some will say SLR is the only way to go, but not really for most of us.

patcam Loc: chelmsford essex uk

Have a look at Fuji hs30, In the UK it is very fairly priced £230 at Amazon, i recently changed from Canon 40D dslr and have never regretted it, at first i went for Canon SX40, really good but i kept hitting wrong buttons with my big fingers! so i bought the Fuji hs30, and i love it, there was nothing the dslr would do that i cannot do with my Fuji and that includes image quality, my next camera? Fuji XS1 of course!
as a ps i have been taking photos for 60 years, so i am well qualified to discuss merits of different cameras
hope this is usefull

photosarah Loc: East Sussex, UK

refswife wrote:

I am planning to replace a Nikon P7000...We are going to Alaska next summer and do travel a lot so my need is a camera for travel, grand kids, and landscapes...I am down to the canon sx50 or the Panasonic Lumix dmc fz200..I also really like the Sony alpha a57 but have never had a Dslr or have had to change a lens...It seems several members are giving up the dslrs for the newer cameras...your thoughts please...

refswife, I bought the PL DMC FZ-200 to take to the Galapagos Islands as a back-up. It became my principal camera when my DSLR dropped into the sea. It is a brilliant camera. I thought deeply about the SX50 (because it has double the range) before I bought the FZ-200, but went with the 200 because it stays at f/2.8 throughout its' entire zoom. It feels very light, but I can't recommend it highly enough, and the pics are sharp all the way to 600mm. It also does macro. Attached is a photo of a Land Iguana taken with it.

Land Iguana Galapagos

mickeys Loc: Fort Wayne, IN

go with a bridge camera. goto your local camera store and hand hold a few of them to see how they fill in your hand. there are many good cameras out there to choose. one with a good zoom.

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

mickeys wrote:

go with a bridge camera. goto your local camera store and hand hold a few of them to see how they fill in your hand. there are many good cameras out there to choose. one with a good zoom.

I second, third and fourth this - especially look through the viewfinder- 90% of your keepers will be shot this way - but also check the SX50's fold-out screen - try shooting at ankle level (Grandkids wrestling, flora in Alaska) - it's SO convenient!

drp8412 Loc: S.E. Michigan

For travel I would recommend you look at a mirrorless camera like the Sony NEX 5R. You'll have the size advantage of a PS with the performance of a DSLR.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/888560-REG/Sony_nex5rk_b_Alpha_NEX_5R_Digital.html