Bridge Camera Decision Angst (Page 10): QUOTE - 'Yes it has a view finder, but it is a not what I would call very good one. Some distortion and get used to it.' I suppose you know...

MIKE GALLAGHER Loc: New Zealand

QUOTE - 'Yes it has a view finder, but it is a not what I would call very good one. Some distortion and get used to it.'

I suppose you know about viewfinder adjustment. But just in case - there's probably a control, a diopter, on top of the viewfinder that'll focus it for your sight.

LILY66LADY Loc: CANADA-

I have had my sx50 for almost a year and I love it for wildlife I take a lot of bird photos and I,m sure it would be good for your trip to Africa. Happy travels.

joannemci Loc: Portland, Oregon

LILY66LADY wrote:

I have had my sx50 for almost a year and I love it for wildlife I take a lot of bird photos and I,m sure it would be good for your trip to Africa. Happy travels.

Thanks for your support of the SX50. After all this "angst", the final decision turned out to be an easy one: The Canon SX50 on sale yesterday for $249! I couldn't resist. I found no noticeable differences in the prints from the Canon, Nikon P600 and Sony HX400V.

joannemci Loc: Portland, Oregon

MIKE GALLAGHER wrote:

QUOTE - 'Yes it has a view finder, but it is a not what I would call very good one. Some distortion and get used to it.'

I suppose you know about viewfinder adjustment. But just in case - there's probably a control, a diopter, on top of the viewfinder that'll focus it for your sight.

Yes, there is on the SX50. Just discovered it. Thanks!

joannemci Loc: Portland, Oregon

Wahawk wrote:

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I found the SX50 on sale yesterday for $249 -- a no-brainer decision. And in the end, I could see no major differences in the quality of the prints from the Canon, Nikon and Sony.

Lazy Old Coot Loc: Gainesville, Florida

Well now that the angst is over, spend as much time as you can with the SX50. It's not a simple camera. The menu list is long and it will take you a while to get to the point that you can remember how to access everything. I've always been surprised that for all practical purposes there aren't ANY really good useful books available on the SX50. Even the Owners Manual you can print from the CD that came with your camera is confusing to most new owners. Fortunately there are lots of Utube videos and many of them are VERY helpful. If you have any specific questions you can post them here on the Hog and you will likely have your answer in just a few minutes. By the way, where did you find it for $249. I've never seen it priced that low. ...... Coot

joannemci wrote:

I found the SX50 on sale yesterday for $249 -- a no-brainer decision. And in the end, I could see no major differences in the quality of the prints from the Canon, Nikon and Sony.

joannemci Loc: Portland, Oregon

tdekany wrote:

Costco has the fz70 in stock for $279

Found the SX50 for $249 on clearance, so must stop this headache-producing comparing. Yet, I really wanted to check out the FZ70 from Costco. Hope I'm not making a mistake by going with the Canon and not even testing the FZ70. Any thoughts???

joannemci Loc: Portland, Oregon

Hi Coot -
I found it at Fred Meyer in Portland, OR (sells everything from electronics to food). As always, I pass by the camera department on the fly, just to see what is on sale, and voila!....there was the Canon SX50 with a $249 price tag on it. Did a double take, took a deep breath, whipped out my credit card and the deed was done. Now at the steep end of my learning curve. Just love all the support on getting on this forum!

joannemci Loc: Portland, Oregon

Hi again, Coot -
Just re-read your message about the fact that the guides bring us quite close to the animals and so a mega zoom is not necessary and can be problematic. Wanted to tell you that I appreciate that feedback. My second camera is the Sony HX9V at 16mp, 16x optical, and it takes terrific pics. I'll probably use it quite a lot. I was tempted by the FZ200, but decided that I'll be happy with the novelty of this mega zoom, and my next investment in a camera will be a DSLR If nothing else, l get some fun bird shots.

Lazy Old Coot Loc: Gainesville, Florida

Joan, Good thinking. You may well find there are more opportunities to use the HX9V than you expected.

That $249 is a hell of a good deal. I paid $348 for my SX40 just before the SX50 was released. I'm envious! By the way the FZ200 would probably have cost some where around $600! Be sure to post your pictures and tell us all about your trip when you get back. ....... Coot

joannemci wrote:

Hi again, Coot - br Just re-read your message abou... (show quote)

joannemci Loc: Portland, Oregon

Lazy Old Coot wrote:

Joan, Good thinking. You may well find there are more opportunities to use the HX9V than you expected.

That $249 is a hell of a good deal. I paid $348 for my SX40 just before the SX50 was released. I'm envious! By the way the FZ200 would probably have cost some where around $600! Be sure to post your pictures and tell us all about your trip when you get back. ....... Coot

Thanks again....and will certainly post some photos!

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Lazy Old Coot wrote:

Joan, Good thinking. You may well find there are more opportunities to use the HX9V than you expected.

That $249 is a hell of a good deal. I paid $348 for my SX40 just before the SX50 was released. I'm envious! By the way the FZ200 would probably have cost some where around $600! Be sure to post your pictures and tell us all about your trip when you get back. ....... Coot

You got a great deal at Fred Meyers. Must have been a local sale, it wasn't that price up here in Anchorage. May mean the the updated SX60 is coming...

The price of the FZ200 is $445 or so at B&H. they dropped it after 7/4.

0627ramram32 Loc: Orange County, CA, USA

Hope I'm not too late, here. Sony 400X, for sure. I have a 300, and it is marvelous little camera. It has the best stability system I have ever used, which is a Godsend for your purposes.

joannemci Loc: Portland, Oregon

0627ramram32 wrote:

Hope I'm not too late, here. Sony 400X, for sure. I have a 300, and it is marvelous little camera. It has the best stability system I have ever used, which is a Godsend for your purposes.

Thanks for adding to this thread, but I'm afraid it's too late (for this trip, anyway). Actually, I picked up the Canon SX50 for a song ($269), and the price made the decision for me. So far, I'm loving it. I tested the Sony for a couple of weeks and was very impressed with it. Still might give it a serious look down the road. Did not know about the superior image stability system.

joannemci Loc: Portland, Oregon

Reporting in following our incredible trip to Africa (Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa). The Canon SX50 did not disappoint! Attaching just a few pictures to give you an idea of what it can accomplish in Auto mode. Thanks again to all who responded and provided excellent feedback.

(Download)