Bridge Camera Decision Angst
Jul 2, 2014 12:53:56 #
I would recommend that you take a look at the panasonic bridge cameras. I have the FZ47 and FZ 60 series and really love them. They offer extraordinary long lens capability and the Leica lens produce very sharp images. Prices are quite moderate for what you get. Good Hunting!
Jul 2, 2014 13:00:43 #
Bruski
Loc: Ellensburg, WA
Don't overlook Fuji. I have the SL1000 and love it. Big thing is make sure it "fits" your hands - controls, grip etc. And yes by all means a viewfinder. Have a great trip.
Jul 2, 2014 13:07:43 #
pills
Loc: Memphis Tennessee
joannemci wrote:
My main subjects will be wildlife on safari, early morning and evening, in low light conditions with maximum zoom.
Just an example at 560 mm zoom range.
Jul 2, 2014 13:13:13 #
pills wrote:
Below(the final word) is per DP review of the cano... (show quote)
Sounds like I really don't need a super zoom to capture the animals. I do a lot of cropping, so the big zoom pics won't allow that. Are you suggesting the FZ200 because the zoom should be sufficient? Would I have better luck with cropping on that camera? A previous comment that the SX50 "sucks" in low light really turned me off. Now what??
Jul 2, 2014 13:13:46 #
joannemci wrote:
My main subjects will be wildlife on safari, early morning and evening, in low light conditions with maximum zoom.
We went on a 3 week safari last year. Most of the wildlife is close 300mm or less is fine. How ever some were taken a long distance I only used the 1200 a couple of times one for a leopard & kudo.
I took several pictures for a man on the safari at 1200mm of birds that he was unable to capture.
Jul 2, 2014 13:31:12 #
Bultaco wrote:
We went on a 3 week safari last year. Most of the wildlife is close 300mm or less is fine. How ever some were taken a long distance I only used the 1200 a couple of times one for a leopard & kudo.
I took several pictures for a man on the safari at 1200mm of birds that he was unable to capture.
I took several pictures for a man on the safari at 1200mm of birds that he was unable to capture.
Well, after all this "angst", almost sounds as if my old Sony HX9V might do the job -- 16mp, 16x optical zoom. Still feel I need a back-up camera, however, so that will be it and I'll just bite the bullet on the Canon SX50 or the Sony HX400V, both of which I'm testing at home now. Whatever I buy I know I will learn to use and love!
Jul 2, 2014 13:31:43 #
rrforster12 wrote:
I would recommend that you take a look at the panasonic bridge cameras. I have the FZ47 and FZ 60 series and really love them. They offer extraordinary long lens capability and the Leica lens produce very sharp images. Prices are quite moderate for what you get. Good Hunting!
I'll second that. Here's a bird on a feeder in my garden, taken with the Panasonic Lumix FZ200. A grab shot at 600mm just to show you what this bridge camera can do. Opened in GIMP but cropped only. This means no sharpening or noise reduction.
I just got back from Norway - it rained.
Here's the Exif info:
Filename - bird.jpg
Make - Panasonic
Model - DMC-FZ200
Orientation - Top left
XResolution - 180
YResolution - 180
ResolutionUnit - Inch
Software - GIMP 2.8.10
DateTime - 2014:07:02 18:17:23
YCbCrPositioning - Co-Sited
ExifOffset - 422
ExposureTime - 1/125 seconds
FNumber - 2.80
ExposureProgram - Normal program
ISOSpeedRatings - 400
MaxApertureValue - F 2.80
MeteringMode - Multi-segment
LightSource - Auto
Flash - Flash not fired, compulsory flash mode
SceneType - A directly photographed image
CustomRendered - Custom process
ExposureMode - Auto
White Balance - Auto
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm - 600 mm
SceneCaptureType - Standard
Contrast - Normal
Saturation - Normal
Sharpness - Normal
Jul 2, 2014 13:34:59 #
pills wrote:
Just an example at 560 mm zoom range.
What a great photo -- and proof that I don't need 50-60x optical zoom! Narrowing the field considerably...thanks!
Jul 2, 2014 13:50:47 #
Shakey wrote:
I'll second that. Here's a bird on a feeder in my ... (show quote)
Sorry about the rain! Good for B&W photos.
I appreciate all the info you are sharing. Will look into the FZ200 before I over saturate myself with TMI! Never dreamed my initial question would spark so much interest and feedback. What a great community of photographers this site is!! Love all help I've been given by so many enthusiasts!!
Jul 2, 2014 13:59:57 #
rp2s wrote:
These are all very nice cameras, but I think the new Panasonic FZ1000 has them all beat at $899. Its official release date is July 27, 2014.
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ1000-Digital-Camera/dp/B00KOUIBZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404244504&sr=8-1&keywords=panasonic+fz1000
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ1000-Digital-Camera/dp/B00KOUIBZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404244504&sr=8-1&keywords=panasonic+fz1000
I looked at the specs for this. I may just have to buy one since you forced it on me. LOL. I've never purchased a Panasonic camera. I'm not impressed with the Sony line, but this seems perfect as a throw-it-in-the-glovebox-to always-have-on-hand camera. Probably replace my Canon G15.
Jul 2, 2014 14:30:46 #
joannemci wrote:
My main subjects will be wildlife on safari, early morning and evening, in low light conditions with maximum zoom.
I bought the SX 50 to take on my Safari that I took this past April. I loved the camera as it was light and I could get some of the bird pictures that others could not get. Being able to shoot in Raw and with a view finder was great. I now carry it along with my Canon 7d every place I go. Believe me you will not be the least bit disappointed with the purchase. Get it from B&H and if you end up not loving it you can send it back. But I don't think you will want to do that. I have posted and I have seen others who posted pictures from Africa on this site. It was their pictures that really made up my mind.
This is just one of mine for you to see.
Jul 2, 2014 14:41:00 #
I'm also new to forum and it looks promising. I'm not sure what a "bridge camera" is, but I just (as in yesterday) bought a Nikon CoolPix P600 to use for an upcoming vacation in which I did not want to be bothered lugging my D80 and both lenses, etc. The P600 looks awesome, I've only played around with it a little bit, but it seems like a good fit. Do a search on it, it got virtually 100% positive reviews (out of 23). B&H Photo is the best bet for buying it. They are great to deal with.
Jul 2, 2014 15:55:30 #
Look at the Sony 6000 mirrorless dslr it has some great features. Better than the NEX series and will take interchangeable lens using all minolta glass as well as canon /nikon etc
I want one....
George
I want one....
George
Jul 2, 2014 16:14:09 #
No matter which bridge camera you get be sure to use a FAST SD card so you will be able to really catch animal action shots. I just bought a Scandisk 32 GB high performance SDHC card with a class 10 rating for $24.99 at Best Buy. They had even better deals ONLINE but they wouldn't get here in time for our July 8 trip to Africa (S. Africa, Victoria Falls with Smartours and then Botswana with Aardvark safari.
Jul 2, 2014 16:31:38 #
dvmralph wrote:
No matter which bridge camera you get be sure to use a FAST SD card so you will be able to really catch animal action shots. I just bought a Scandisk 32 GB high performance SDHC card with a class 10 rating for $24.99 at Best Buy. They had even better deals ONLINE but they wouldn't get here in time for our July 8 trip to Africa (S. Africa, Victoria Falls with Smartours and then Botswana with Aardvark safari.
I just got an email from B&H and they have them on sale bought some Lexar 32GB SDHC Class10 600Xuhs-1 for 26.95 each, no tax or shipping
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