timbuktutraveler

Hello,

1. I am going on 3 Safaris to Africa (1 in Zambia, 2 in Tanzania) in August. I was planning to rent rhe Sony RX10 IV with its 24-600 full frame equivalent. However I have small hands and the camera is bulky and kind of heavy for me.

Do you think the Panasonic FZ1000 II with it 25-400 lens would provide enough range and IQ?

If not, any other suggestion for a good IQ camera to rent with a smaller footprint?
I will be shooting JPEG and would only want to do some Sharpening (If any) for PP.

2. This is my first foray in digital. So I wondered if software such as AI CLear can be done with a JPEG
file?

Many thanks

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Jpeg can be done in IA Clear

Phil Mak Loc: albuquerque New Mexico

I have and really like my Nikon P900 with 24-2000 mm 83x optical zoom

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

1. Rent the camera and lens to see if it will do what you desire. Sometimes renting before buying saves money and frustration.
2. Why would you not shoot in RAW? With a RAW file, you have so much more detail and options in post processing. Maybe a camera that will shoot both formats on two different cards?

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

You can never have too much zoom. However..

1. The Nikon Coolpix P900 cannot compare to the RX10 IV for image quality for at least one big reason: sensor size. The P900 can't shoot raw, either. The P1000 is bigger, much pricier, has an even longer zoom and can shoot raw. The P900 weighs just a bit less than the RX10 IV and the P1000 is huge, weighs another 50%, approximately (>3 pounds IIRC). For small birds at major distances, the P900 or especially the P1000 will outperform ANYTHING simply because of the incredible equivalent zoom. I've got some 11x14 prints from my wife's P1000 that are quite acceptable. Sample from P1000 attached.

I include dynamic range in IQ when comparing the P900/1000 to the 1" sensors on the Sony and the Panny. Big difference.

2. Between the Panasonic and the Sony, tastes will vary but since the IQ will be roughly the same due to the same size sensor, my preference is the Sony for a 50% larger image. YMMV.

3. My similar trip was so long ago I shot film and my longest lens was 200 mm so I can only wish I could do it over again with digital.

4. Long zooms are often good for wildlife but sometimes you are just a few feet away from a large subject such as a lion, elephant, hippo, etc. That is why a "bridge" camera is such a good idea. My trip involved a lot of riding around in Land Rovers or open vehicles on hard benches. The ride was awful, there is dust, you may often be in a hurry for the perfect shot. Don't even think of carrying a lot of lenses. The bridge camera is the right answer IMHO.

5. Be sure to look at the ability to shoot 4k video easily and then to capture single frames. I can't say about the Panny but the Sony does this very , very well. For wildlife that can be a huge advantage.

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mborn Loc: Massachusetts

What ever camera you decide to rent rent it earlier to make sure you know how to use it. Also download the manual

timbuktutraveler

Many thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed and informative message.
I appreciate it!
Larry

timbuktutraveler

Many thanks for your reply.
I appreciate it.
Larry

timbuktutraveler

Many thanks for your reply.
Larry

timbuktutraveler

Thanks for your reply..
I will consider shooting raw.
Larry

timbuktutraveler

Many thanks for your detailed and thoughtful reply.
Larry

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"Why would you not shoot in RAW? With a RAW file, you have so much more detail and options in post processing. Maybe a camera that will shoot both formats on two different cards?"

Not everybody knows the technical skills needed to edit RAW data.

Keen

I prefer Prime lenses. When I go with Zooms, I try to keep them to 3 power, or less. The max I may consider-under some circumstances-would be 5 power....if that. I suspect that a 25 power zoom will give you blurry images you'd rather not have. To each his own, though.

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

My Sony Hx 80 has a 30:1 zoom It has a 18mb sensor (but small). At 720 mm full frame equivalent field of view, the unsharpness is due to camera shake , even with image stabilization turned on. On a tripod, however, the images at 720 are acceptable . At 650 mm equivalent the images IQ is good. Here's a shot at 720 mm hand held but braced against a light standard

photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

Heess my third and last attempt to attach a 720 mm pocket camera photo

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