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+--- Thread: Camera Gurus: Which Superzoon Has the Best EV? (/showthread.php?tid=170423)
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Camera Gurus: Which Superzoon Has the Best EV? - mrlynn - 08-24-2014
A couple of years ago, while I was intrigued by the 'superzoom' or 'bridge' cameras (especially seeing what Hal could do with his), I like to use a viewfinder, and was completely put off by the faux-color, flickery images in their electronic viewfinders, at least those I saw browsing at Best Buy. Instead I opted for a relatively low-end Canon Rebel SLR (T2i), and augmented the kit lens with a Tamron 17-270.
This is nice equipment, but it's really more than I want to carry on trips by train or plane, and it's even awkward walking in the woods or paddling the canoe. So I'm thinking once again of downsizing to a superzoom. I've seen comments here and there about improved electronic viewfinders (EVs), larger with more pixels, and I'm wondering how the newest crop of superzoom EVs compare.
Any comments? Observations on other parameters welcome as well, of course.
/Mr Lynn
Re: Camera Gurus: Which Superzoon Has the Best EV? - davester - 08-24-2014
Is this a budget-is-no-object question, how important is picture quality to you, and what do you consider "compact"? I can't really answer your specific question because the viewfinder image quality is at the bottom of my list compared to sensor size, picture quality, price, zoom range, dynamic range, UI, handling, etc, so I've never paid much attention to it when comparing cameras. I'd suggest you look at the Fujifilm X-series, which has excellent sensors, excellent lenses, and has a reputation for excellent viewfinders (except for the X-20 which has an optical viewfinder that gets mixed reviews). The biggest issue you'll find is that if you want picture quality and low light ability close to comparable to the Rebel, then you'll need something which has a large sensor, which begets a large lens and bulkier camera if you want a decent zoom range. This wiIl start pushing you back into SLR territory. If you're happy with a much smaller sensor and therefore lower quality photos then you can get away with a less bulky camera, though those tend to be cheaper and generally have poorer viewfinders.
Re: Camera Gurus: Which Superzoon Has the Best EV? - DRR - 08-24-2014
The Panasonic FZ1000 reportedly has a very nice viewfinder, OLED, over 2 million dots.
It will be a little smaller, but fairly close in size to your current setup though, so I don't know if that gets you anywhere.
Re: Camera Gurus: Which Superzoon Has the Best EV? - freeradical - 08-24-2014
Those super zoom cameras are not small or light.
These are the physical specs for the SX40:
Physical Specifications
Operating Temperature
32-104°F/0-40°C
Operating Humidity
10-90%
Dimensions (W x H x D)
4.84 x 3.64 x 4.24 in. / 122.9 x 92.4 x 107.7mm
Weight
Approx. 21.2 oz (600g) (including the battery and memory card)
Approx. 19.6 oz. (557g) (camera body only)
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/digital_cameras/other_powershot/powershot_sx40_hs#Specifications
Re: Camera Gurus: Which Superzoon Has the Best EV? - mrlynn - 08-24-2014
freeradical: My T2i+Tamron lens is 5.75 (without sun shield) x 5w by 4h; weighs about 2.25 lbs. So it is rather heftier than the SX40, though you are right; the latter is not exactly compact.
DRR: I saw a review of the Panasonic FZ1000 yesterday. Looks interesting, though pricey (but then I've got about a grand into my current setup). How does the 2 million pixels compare with the others on the market?
Davester: Cost is definitely a consideration. I'm happy with the picture quality of the Rebel and Tamron, but then I was not unhappy with the pictures I used to get with my little Canon A540 compact, either; they don't look awful on my 27" iMac, though of course if you compare side-by-side the SLR is clearly sharper. I'm impressed that a lot of Forum members seem happy with the output of their superzooms. I'm only an amateur, so convenience is as important as quality.
/Mr Lynn
Re: Camera Gurus: Which Superzoon Has the Best EV? - wowzer - 08-24-2014
mrlynn wrote:
...I was not unhappy with the pictures I used to get with my little Canon A540 compact, either; they don't look awful on my 27" iMac, though of course if you compare side-by-side the SLR is clearly sharper. I'm impressed that a lot of Forum members seem happy with the output of their superzooms. I'm only an amateur, so convenience is as important as quality.
/Mr Lynn
I wish I could be happy with the shots I get from my point and zooms. They just lack 'pop'...like my Nikon. Of course, with fast lenses, the photos really come to life.
Re: Camera Gurus: Which Superzoon Has the Best EV? - Gareth - 08-24-2014
Have you thought about swapping the T2i for an SL1 (Canon's compact DSLR body)? The SL1 is about the same size as the SX40/50. It'll be a little bigger with the Tamron on it.
That, and perhaps a better shoulder strap or bag would make it better for walking. Frankly, I don't think a SuperZoom itself will be easier to carry/use while walking/canoeing on its own.
If you're happy with the 15x zoom range though, and don't need the 40x+ of a SuperZoom, there are lots of compact options in the 20x-30x range that are pocketable. But these will likely lack any sort of viewfinder and you'll have to use the rear screen instead.
Re: Camera Gurus: Which Superzoon Has the Best EV? - davester - 08-24-2014
freeradical wrote:
Those super zoom cameras are not small or light.
These are the physical specs for the SX40:
That's not true. There are plenty of very compact superzoom cameras. I have a Fujifilm F600EXR which is quite small (current equivalent model F900EXR). The downside...relatively small sensor and no viewfinder.
The difficulty is that Mr Lynn seems to want a high quality viewfinder combined with compactness and a big zoom range. I don't think that's possible.
Mr Lynn, if you're happy with the A540's picture quality then you'll be happy with pretty much anything, since that camera has a tiny sensor (1/2.5") with about the same picture quality level as current smartphones. The problem is, you won't get a decent viewfinder until you move up to a high quality camera because the manufacturers are not going to waste money putting an expensive EV on a low end camera with a small sensor...there's simply no demand for it. A high quality camera means a decent size sensor and therefore if you add a big zoom range to that the lenses have to be much larger than on the small sensor cameras and you end up with a camera as big as an SLR. You should decide how much of a zoom you need because there is a huge tradeoff between compactness, zoom range and picture quality. If you can get by with a small zoom range you have lots to choose from. Probably the top compact camera with excellent EV and a zoom currently is the Sony RX100 III. However it is a bit pricey and is definitely not a "superzoom".
Re: Camera Gurus: Which Superzoon Has the Best EV? - OWC Jamie - 08-24-2014
You're not going to save much bulk going from a dslr body to a Sx50 or Lumix FZ70
When I travel I bring my DSLR and a little point and shoot. The P&S is for when it just has to fit in my pocket.
Maybe something along the lines of a coolpix 9700 or Lumix Xs40 - a point and shoot body / great for travelling light and still has 30x
Re: Camera Gurus: Which Superzoon Has the Best EV? - hal - 08-24-2014
Lifelong SLR users will never be happy with superzoom bridge cameras - ESPECIALLY the EV.
You have to get by it - accept it and move on. Using my SX50, I'm used to not having a perfectly clear view of what I'm shooting. I'm usually in a hurry anyway and just getting the object within the frame is good enough for me.
No matter how nice these superzooms are these days, they will not ever be a DSLR.