Cameras - advice, questions, opinions

Re: FINAL Camera Question

StanPlas — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 03:55:56 GMT

I've bought myself a Panasonic Lumix 8mp with 18x zoom and if I go to 3mp mode I get about 28x optical zoom. I Do find the time for the camera to focus seems slower the more I zoom in. The Image Stableizer works quite well and pretty much all the shots I've taken have been hand held. I find it harder to focus and follow birds while they are in flight and/or the light is not the best when I could use it the most :)

The most it can get to is 82.8mm which I know is nothing compared to slrs but Im still happy with it....for now. I paid $468 Can before tax on it and as a starter camera I have to say Im actually quite impressed with it.

I do plan to eventually get a Dslr but am arranging to take a Pro Photography course first.

Anyway just wanted to share a bit about the zoom and my experience with that much of it.

Oh, I have noticed that when im at about 28x that.. Well I find that anything about 30x ( Enhanced zoom ) that its almost impossible even with the built in image stableizer. So to me anyway over 30x I would for sure want to use a tripod and a good one at that too.

Stan

Re: FINAL Camera Question

birdseye — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 01:32:29 GMT

indianabirdlover gave you a great answer....the 18 zoom i am guessing is the olympus, and i will warn you , you will miss shots.. especially at long zoom, and low light that sucker just can not find a focus..(in the shade where birds hang out...)...,... but that aside... on all long zooms, this includes DSLR's , a tripod is the only way to guarantee good shots...my advice..take your best guess, buy from a reputable dealer, and if it isn't just right, take it back and get the other...most places give you a week to 30 days to change your mind... have fun with it

Re: FINAL Camera Question

thekiwi — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:54:33 GMT

I have both SLR Canon EOS and a kodak P850 X12 zoom and if the Kodak P850 didn't have the built in IS (image Stablisiation) all I would get is blurry pics when at full zoom you can see it move around all over the place but because of the IS it gives nice pics.

Trust me here Point and shoot Zoom cameras need IS built in or you will be dissapointed in the results you get

Re: FINAL Camera Question

raptrlvr — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:02:29 GMT

If your shooting with a long telephoto lens,as in a DSLR, then its important to worry about the IS {image stablization} or in Nikon cameras VR {vibration reduction}. The zoom lens on your point and shoot cameras will not be affected because the lens is built into the camera and is not that long. Just my opinion.

Re: FINAL Camera Question

featherbrain — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:42:24 GMT

Just a quick question about detail, what is the diameter of each lens? If the diameter of the 12x is larger than that of the 18x then I would jump on the 12x, as the smaller the diameter, the less light, which means the shutter speed will be less, which means that there's more of a chance of blur...

Re: FINAL Camera Question

thekiwi — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:40:29 GMT

18X zoom would be better than 12x zoom but you should really consider this point IS (image stablisation) make sure which ever one you get has that or when you use the zoom the camera is going to shake and move around alot if the camera comes with its built in stabliser then that is the one you want if they both have it then the 18x zoom is the way I would go and I agree with the mega pixels not all that important now anywhere from 6 is fine.

but with a zoom camera that image stablisation is very important or the only images you will have are very blurry unless you use a tripod with the image stabliser you should get good photos hand holding the camera

hope that helps

Re: FINAL Camera Question

IndianaBirdLover — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:02:36 GMT

For binoculars, the naming system is that the first number is the amount of magnification, while the second number is the diameter of the objective lens (the end facing whatever it is you're looking at). For example, your 10x25 binoculars would be a 10x magnification with a 25 mm objective lens. The larger the lens, the more light that will enter the binoculars (thus allowing you to see better) -- it is particularly good for improving your ability to see things in low-light situations. A 10x20 and a 10x25 would magnify the same, but the 10x25 would allow more light into it -- it would be easier to see the images, but the larger lenses also cost more.

Therefore, a 10x zoom would be similar to what to get with a 10x25 binocs.

As far as your cameras go, if all other options are roughly the same, I would, in a instant, take the 18x zoom. Digital cameras are nearing the point where the amount of megapixels no longer really matter (8-10 megapixels are roughly equivalent to standard film cameras, which are generally considered to be high quality), but the amount of zoom is becoming more and more important. I don't remember where I read it, but I just read somewhere that the camera companies are starting to work on improving the number of megapixels only because it sounds impressive to consumers (now with 20 megapixel resolution!), but they're really focusing on improving the zoom technology because it allows their camera to stand out. Lastly, if you haven't yet, check out the two cameras on www.cnet.com --- they're generally pretty good about fully testing electronics, plus lots of users should have given their opinions too.

Hope that helps!

FINAL Camera Question

viconk — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 19:21:45 GMT

Thanks again to everyone who has so generously given their time to answer my camera questions and make suggestions.

Both cameras that I've narrowed my choice to are on sale, each with a very good price. I'm going to not wait longer, and will purchase one.

I know so little of the actual "why and/or how" of the workings of cameras that I'm not even sure how to ask this question.

One camera has 12x zoom, the other 18x. How do I decide if the 18x would be more beneficial than the 12x? The pros and cons of the cameras balance out, with the zoom the only remaining choice to make.

For instance, how would a 10x zoom compare to what you would be able to see with 10 x 25 binocs?