TomAus Posted August 14, 2014 Posted August 14, 2014 I’m in the market for a new camera which I intend to use for bird and wildlife photography. I’m looking for a camera with a bit of zoom which will allow me to get close to the object whilst also proving decent image quality. It should be easy to operate as I’m an amateur but I also want the camera to offer more advanced options which I can utilize as my skill level improves. The camera should have a fixed lens and I have been looking at a few bridge cameras such as the Panasonic DMC FZ200 and Sony DSC HX300. The Panasonic ‘only’ has 24 X zoom, has been on the market for a couple of years but I’m unsure if the zoom will be sufficient. The Sony is a newer model with considerable more zoom however possibly offers lower IQ compared to the Panasonic. I would be very interested to hear from those with experience with the above mentioned models as well as suggestions on other models that should be considered. The budget is approx. $600 but I am happy to spend a bit more for the right camera. Thomas 1
betty boop Posted August 14, 2014 Posted August 14, 2014 tom, as long as we are talking bridge cameras which tend to be somewhere in between compact and dslr cameras but without interchangeable lens or mirror/through the lens... I can highly recommend the fuji X-s1 http://products.fujifilm.com.au/products/digital.asp?id=114&sid=1&pid=1217 http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod8577.htm father in law has one. the fuji's do have some quirks in use, but this one is very well made, a very versatile lens range and can put out decent quality http://www.dpreview.com/products/fujifilm/compacts/fujifilm_xs1 http://www.trustedreviews.com/fujifilm-x-s1-review_Digital-Camera_review father in law checked this out after the panasonic and there was no going back to the pana which feels like a toy next to it there is also the olympus stylus 100 http://www.dpreview.com/articles/4560333113/olympus-announces-stylus-sp-100-superzoom-with-dot-sight and the stylus 1 http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod10481.htm http://www.digitalversus.com/digital-camera/olympus-stylus-1-p17543/test.html one other thing to consider most of these bridge cameras have very tiny sensors, its how they end up with large zoom ranges in compact package, it is worth peaking at the article below as will read where they suffer http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/65674-the-crop-factor-con-from-sony-olympus-and-panasonic/ another option rather than going 'dslr like' might be for similar money a 2 lens dslr kit http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/prod10811.htm about the same size as the fuji x-s1 but will be much more versatile in use. just depends what your chasing, my suggestion wander into a specialist camera store and hold and use a few of these for your self. will soon get a feel for what best suits and takes your fancy
TomAus Posted August 14, 2014 Author Posted August 14, 2014 Thanks, Al. I had not considered the Fuji or the Olympus so I'll look into both of these. I visited a camera store a few days ago and tried the Panasonic FZ70, FZ200 and Sony RX300. I also tried a Nikon, can not remember the model name, which felt very flimsy and cheap. The Sony stood out with solid build quality and ease of use. I have however heard that it struggles somewhat with it's low-light performance. I've disregarded DSLRs as they will be too chunky taking into consideration the required lenses. I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of IQ to get the flexibility and transportability of the bridge camera's. They might be the jack of all trades or perhaps the master of none - time will tell.
mickj1 Posted August 14, 2014 Posted August 14, 2014 (edited) I usually use a Nikon D7100 DSLR, but when it's not been convenient to take it on a trip, I've been pretty happy with the FZ200 for wildlife and bird photography. These were taken (in the wild) with the FZ200 cheers Mick Edited September 2, 2014 by mickj1 2
Chopsus Maximus Posted August 14, 2014 Posted August 14, 2014 I am not 100% certain! but am pretty sure I was looking at an Olympus Stylus in Costco today, on special, for $325 or so ... It was a Mighty impressive and light unit with a huge array of features and gobs of zoom. I have a 7/8 year old predecessor of it, the uz550, and it's served me very well and is still in service. 1
TomAus Posted August 15, 2014 Author Posted August 15, 2014 I usually use a Nikon D7100 DSLR, but when it's not been convenient to take it on a trip, I've been pretty happy with the FZ200 for wildlife and bird photography. These were taken with the FZ200 cheers Mick Thanks, Mick. Good to hear from a FZ200 owner and nice to see some actual shots. The FZ200 is certainly a contender - the question will be if the zoom length is sufficient. I'll be visiting a camera store tomorrow to find an answer to that.
TomAus Posted August 15, 2014 Author Posted August 15, 2014 I am not 100% certain! but am pretty sure I was looking at an Olympus Stylus in Costco today, on special, for $325 or so ... It was a Mighty impressive and light unit with a huge array of features and gobs of zoom. I have a 7/8 year old predecessor of it, the uz550, and it's served me very well and is still in service. Thanks, Chopsus. I'll keep my eyes open when I next visit Costco. Likely to be soon if my wife gets her way
mickj1 Posted August 15, 2014 Posted August 15, 2014 (edited) Thanks, Mick. Good to hear from a FZ200 owner and nice to see some actual shots. The FZ200 is certainly a contender - the question will be if the zoom length is sufficient. I'll be visiting a camera store tomorrow to find an answer to that. A few other things - Zoom reach is only one aspect of what's needed for birds and wildlife. You should also check out how long the camera auto focus takes (it can be really frustrating with birds flitting about while you're waiting for the camera to get anywhere near being in focus)., Also check whether it has a usable electronic viewfinder, and what its low light capacities are (birds are often hidden away in bushes in the shade, unless you're going to focus mainly on ducks and swans, or aviary birds). . None of the cheaper compacts will match a DSLR or exchangeable lens 4/3 for these factors, but look for the best compromise of all these things you can get within your price bracket. I did all this and ended up with a FZ200, but there may be better things in the same price range out there now. Cheers Mick Edited August 15, 2014 by mickj1 2
betty boop Posted August 15, 2014 Posted August 15, 2014 Thanks, Al. I had not considered the Fuji or the Olympus so I'll look into both of these. I visited a camera store a few days ago and tried the Panasonic FZ70, FZ200 and Sony RX300. I also tried a Nikon, can not remember the model name, which felt very flimsy and cheap. The Sony stood out with solid build quality and ease of use. I have however heard that it struggles somewhat with it's low-light performance. I've disregarded DSLRs as they will be too chunky taking into consideration the required lenses. I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of IQ to get the flexibility and transportability of the bridge camera's. They might be the jack of all trades or perhaps the master of none - time will tell. yeah lot comes down to what your after in the camera. father in law was happy enough to forgo the dslr for the fuji, given its 24mm wide end and length of zoom felt would do all he needed. yes some compromises to be made, but no matter the camera you buy there is going to be a compromise one way or the other in some aspect !
buddyev Posted August 15, 2014 Posted August 15, 2014 I usually use a Nikon D7100 DSLR, but when it's not been convenient to take it on a trip, I've been pretty happy with the FZ200 for wildlife and bird photography. These were taken (in the wild) with the FZ200 cheers Mick These shots are pretty impressive, Mick . Really crisp and with lots of detail. 1
mickj1 Posted August 15, 2014 Posted August 15, 2014 (edited) Thanks Buddyev, I still mainly use the D7100, but the FZ has its place. My wife uses it a lot when we're away on trips - that way I can leave the big lens on the D7100 for birds and she can get the tourist shots! Cheers mick Edited August 15, 2014 by mickj1
TomAus Posted August 28, 2014 Author Posted August 28, 2014 After reading numerous reviews and visiting several camera shops, I ended up getting the Panasonic FZ200. I have started playing around with the camera and it seems to offer a wide range of settings which I'm sure I'll learn in due course. The camera comes with a 220 page user manual so there is a bit of reading available which might come handy. I'm now looking forward to getting some great bird photos. @@Chopsus Costco is indeed selling the Olympus. It seemed to be a well built camera but unfortunately the display model did not have any batteries so was unable to properly evaluate it. 3
betty boop Posted August 28, 2014 Posted August 28, 2014 After reading numerous reviews and visiting several camera shops, I ended up getting the Panasonic FZ200. I have started playing around with the camera and it seems to offer a wide range of settings which I'm sure I'll learn in due course. The camera comes with a 220 page user manual so there is a bit of reading available which might come handy. I'm now looking forward to getting some great bird photos. @@Chopsus Costco is indeed selling the Olympus. It seemed to be a well built camera but unfortunately the display model did not have any batteries so was unable to properly evaluate it. congrats on the new camera, and look forward to seeing some shots from it ! especially the birding ones, which not been able to get a chance to explore as yet 1
Chopsus Maximus Posted August 28, 2014 Posted August 28, 2014 After reading numerous reviews and visiting several camera shops, I ended up getting the Panasonic FZ200. I have started playing around with the camera and it seems to offer a wide range of settings which I'm sure I'll learn in due course. The camera comes with a 220 page user manual so there is a bit of reading available which might come handy. I'm now looking forward to getting some great bird photos. @@Chopsus Costco is indeed selling the Olympus. It seemed to be a well built camera but unfortunately the display model did not have any batteries so was unable to properly evaluate it. Great to hear you made a choice ... The Olympus seemed too light to me ... Quite weirdly light LOL
betty boop Posted October 2, 2016 Posted October 2, 2016 father in law is re visiting this space 4 or so years down the track, the fuji X-S1 DSLR like bridge camera has had quite a work out over the years and looking quite a bit shabby for it. a lot of things arent working any more... the flash is pretty crook... there are card read issues... the screen on the back has karked it a year or so ago...leaving father in law to just using the viewfinder... one of the selectors has actually fallen off... luckily stuck where he has it ...and the power on/off too fallen off..so he just relies on the power save function for it to switch itself off ! so barely hanging in there... though regardless father in law remarkably has a lot of respect for the camera... he asked me whether fuji had a replacement ... sadly no... it would seem fuji stopped making bridge cameras ... why ? dont know ... perhaps too many warranty claims with all the things that fail on them hehe ok spoilt as he is with the 24-600mm zoom on the fuji he is stuck on "super zoom" category of bridge cameras, options have come up with....with some looking around there is the canon G3-X... https://www.canon.com.au/en-AU/Personal/Products/Cameras-and-Accessories/Digital-Cameras/PowerShot-G3-X @$1169 not cheap... and shock horror father in law was nearly falling back wards when saw there is no viewfinder... and if want one have to get a separate detachable electronic one that cost another $350 !!! and the flash is a very dicky looking thing. though 1" sensor is a step forward from his fuji...overall not at all impressed with the canon ! then there is the nikon, and they have the coolpix p900...very cheap at $700 and with an insane zoom of 24-2000 !!! http://www.nikon.com.au/en_AU/product/digital-compact-cameras/performance/coolpix-p900 unfortunately a tiny sensor in a 1/2.3 inch and quite a light weight plasticky thing too...so not very impressive for other in law.. no doubt something constrained by its build cost and tiny sensor... so next up Sony, ok in the RX10 III looks good, nice build fit finish and a 24-600mm zoom which got a tick from father in law http://www.sony.com.au/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras/dsc-rx10m3 but a cost of $2299 ! :O shock horror had father in law reeling backwards again. nice 1" sensor though and seemingly good optics in the 2.4-4 zeiss lens it packs. ultimately too rich for his boots.... he is thinking gee for this kind of money think of the lovely cameras could buy instead ! ok that leaves the most recent entrant that has popped on the horizon in the panasonic lumix Fx2500, which is a refinement of the fz1000, http://www.panasonic.com/au/consumer/lumix-cameras-video-cameras/lumix-digital-cameras/dmc-fz2500.html same 1" sensor as its pre decessor, and a similar camera overall, some benefits over the sony is touch screen, a bit lighter and the lu. ok only 24-480 zoom but decent leica 2.8-4.5 that father in law reckons can live with, priced at rrp $1699 he hopes can pick up at a street price of $1500 when released in nov....anyways lets see what he thinks when its released and gets to handle in the shop....
buddyev Posted October 2, 2016 Posted October 2, 2016 How about an Olympus omd em10 with a 14-150 zoom? Not a super zoom but with the digital zoom as well as the optical it would get close. Similar size and lighter combo than several of the above and, I'm guessing, way better IQ.
betty boop Posted October 2, 2016 Posted October 2, 2016 Unfortunately buddy fixated on super zoom, without dipping into digital.
~Spyne~ Posted October 2, 2016 Posted October 2, 2016 You can get the FZ1000 for under $900 these days, any reason not to go with this? 1
betty boop Posted October 4, 2016 Posted October 4, 2016 On 10/3/2016 at 10:52 AM, ~Spyne~ said: You can get the FZ1000 for under $900 these days, any reason not to go with this? its a good question...when we looked at this originally it was quite a bit more ...obviously now on run out. will have to check with father in law just how important at the feature list that the 2500 brings over the 1000, will need to find something that concisely and simply explains this for him
~Spyne~ Posted October 4, 2016 Posted October 4, 2016 http://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/panasonic/fz1000/vs/panasonic/fz2500/ http://cameradecision.com/compare/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ1000-vs-Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FZ2500 Not really much there, unless touchscreen and integrated ND filter are important.
betty boop Posted October 4, 2016 Posted October 4, 2016 thanks for that...hmm... I suspect the 400mm limitation of the previous model was probably what eliminated things for him initially. its not much but 480 is closer to magic 500mm and 600mm he is used to now. I suspect he will like the touch screen and slightly better back display. he might like the ND aspect being a pro photographer that he is. I definitely dont think 4k of the new camera will be of any relevance. anyways will flick onto him. I suspect as old school that he is, he will say he already saw the 1000 prior and will want to compare them both in hand. though problem is likely by the time the new model is in the shops the old one is likely just about run out....
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