Any camera Experts out there able to assist a Newbie??

[gloozit]

what denotes a good battery life?

Somewhere around 450-500 shots. I believe that was my camera was reviewed at. But I don't know if they throw a few flash shots in with it to get an estimate. I easily can take close to 1000, without flash.

How many camera pixels/vid quality capability would allow me to at a later date on my PC grab a still

I've done this and never got a quality picture, but I never grabbed an image off one of my videos. I will and let you know in a bit.
Most newer cameras all film video at 1080p. Watch out for 1080i, it is older. If a good frame can be pulled 1080p is your best bet.

'IS' - which is best 'sensor-shift' or 'optical'?

Not real difference in a High Zoom P&S camera. That makes a difference in a full DSLR setup though.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47

It seems to be a very good camera , but........
All I can find on the batteries for that Lumix, is that it uses a Li_ion battery pack. You will have to hunt down spares for it. And sometimes those non-standard packs are very expensive. I had one on my Kodak. I won't use a camera that doesn't use AA rechargeables.
Shutter speed: • 60-1/2000 sec
60 secs is the max open shutter (setting) 1/2000 is the minimum speed
And yes I use dpreview. Look way back in my first posts.
I have a Canon Powershot SX130IS. I don't recommend it for your needs and it is older (2-3 years)
It is a very good camera but I am finding flaws in it lately. Having a heck of a time getting the action shots I want, at distance. Maybe no camera can do what I was trying last night.
Bobbing in open water, (middle of the lake) trying to take pictures of birds, diving and catching fish. These were all at over 100 yards out and the wind was rocking me quite a bit, plus I have to keep my elbows, holding my paddle, keeping it from going in the water.
I got a few shots that were ok, but not great.
And the Golden Eagle was at full optical zoom, I believe or near it. I have the digital zoom disabled. And all my pictures are usually cropped, some very little, but some a great deal.




See, you may buy your camera for one thing, like I did, macros photography and landscapes, but you may move into other realms, like action. I'm forced to re-learn manual shooting. Those pics were manual settings, shutter speed, white compensation and aperture (fstop). Haven't used that knowledge in a while.

These are all things you have to decide on. Picking a camera you will be happy with is easy, if you are just going to shoot friends at a gathering, or kids, but when you start doing the many things that cameras are capable of, their limitations start to show.

BTW does anyone know this bird??? It hangs out with gulls. There is a red mask across it's eyes and the beak is orange

[gloozit]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned, the software in the camera.
My camera does not have an intuitive GUI. I have to hunt for certain settings, I don't use often. And that causes lost shots.
The only way you can determine if you will have an easy time with the menus, is through reviews or actual hands on. Now that I am trying many different things, I find them slow to maneuver to, especially in the conditions I like to shoot in. Just one more confusing thing to think about

[cabbiinc]

To add to what's already been said:

Slow write speed to a card can and usually is affected by the cards speed. If you have a slow card in the camera it can't write it to the card very fast. Even the big boy cameras will lock up with a slower card in it if it's buffer fills up and it can't write to the card fast enough. The alternative is to just dump the images in the buffer out to nowhere and start over filling the buffer and trying to write to the card (which camera manufacturers don't let you do that I know of). Unless you see a lot of complaints from people with Class 10 or better cards I'd chalk it up to slow cards.

Zooming from 25mm to 600mm is a hell of a zoom. It's going to take a while on any camera unless it has manual zoom.

Keep in mind that cameras like this will not do the out of focus thing very well. It will do Macro shots very well. You can't use external lighting (flash, studio strobe) with this camera so if you plan to do portraits you'll be shooting natural light, which is somewhat limiting.

[jacknscoob]

Hi Guys

Thanks for all your posts.

Love your photos gloozit, 'Bobbing in open water, (middle of the lake) trying to take pictures of birds, diving and catching fish.' Ive got a kayak too makes me want to go out on it with my new camera! The photo of the seagulls is of such good quality, amazing!

I have been spending so much time examining cameras, wheying it all up.

Here is my dilemna. I would like a camera with the functions of the Panasonic Fz47, quick, view-finder, zoom and so on BUT I have decided that I dont want a bulky / heavy camera. Which means I am looking at getting a 'compact' type camera. But from my research few have a viewfinder and they are not quick.

I feel that I am going round in circles. I am happy to forgo a high zoom.

My revised wishlist is as follows:

- Quick speed
- Viewfinder
- NOT heavy / bulky (Compact)
- Zoom anything over 5X optical
- IS
- Full HD Video

HELP!!!! Can anyone recommend any other camera websites either sales or reviews which have a good search facility, so I can narrow down the search. I have examined all the compact viewfinder cameras on http://www.dpreview.com/ and none are suitable.

I phoned a camera shop and he said that if I wanted any camera that was quick at taking photos (no delay) then I would have to buy a SLR / big bulky camera

[jacknscoob]

Me back again.

After driving myself mad today even more (if that is possible) I have gone full circle in my discovery that the actual camera I desire does not exist (well not anywhere near my budget).

Now I know this I can relax and really think about what I want the camera for and how much of a hobby will I make it.

I was very inspired by your photos gloozit.

I'll keep you posted

[gloozit]

Have you gone to a store and looked at a few of the high zoom cameras?
Bulky, as compared to those little pocket cameras. Either i have grown used to the weight and longer lens or it really isn't bulky.
I would go to a store that has displays, you can handle. Pick a few up and get the feel for it.
I really think you will be disappointed going to one of the compacts, although there are some good ones, but they will cost nearly as much as a good high zoom. And the few compacts I just looked at are all 720p video, not 1080p

[jacknscoob]

Gloozit, yes very good idea re handling cameras to get a better idea.

I have nearly done a 360 degree re my opinion re my future camera and am currently back to prefering the larger Panasonic Fz47. I am mainly wanting the new camera to start a new hobby, beginners level I know but I may have to get used to the larger / chunkier model after all. I have know idea why my husband says that I am fickle - lol

[jacknscoob]

What is amazing price wise re the FZ47 is that it costs $499 - $512 here in Oz and only $285 in USA!!! What a difference eh! (exchange rates are near parity). Postage from US is not too bad thou, so thats OK.

[DavidGP]

Hi

Dont know if you have bought a camera yet, but one to have a look at is the Fuji SL240, it covers virtually all if not all of your requirements, it also has a new type professional battery so will charge in no time at all.

http://www.fujifilm.com/news/n120105_06.html
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/01...ilmsl300_sl240

I would as gloozit mentions do try and get hands on with a camera to see how it feels and works.

[gloozit]

Looking at that Fuji, brought up a point. It looks like it has one of the better grips, on a camera, that I have seen. I always make sure to have the cord around my wrist, so I don't drop it. (The lake is 90 feet deep in spots). The reason for that is the grip isn't a positive feel in my hands. It's comfortable and adequate, but it's mainly my finger tips and palm gripping the grip.
That camera looks like your whole hand can wrap easily around the grip.
And quick charge. It takes about 2 hours for me to recharge a set of batteries.
Thanks for adding another choice for my next camera, Dave,
If I don't figure out how to make my camera take the shots I am trying to get, I will be looking soon,

BTW Jackandscoob,these cameras, are described as being too large for a pocket, they're not really. A tight jeans pocket won't accept then, but a pocket in loose pants or shorts will.
Just to show you they aren't really bulky. Remember the old Polaroid Land Cameras? That was bulky

Oh and that bird is a Caspian Tern, I think. I can't really nail it down, But it is definitely a Tern of some type.

[jacknscoob]

Hi Guys

We only have a few shops that sell cameras around here, but I think it will be an investment for me to travel to see and hold them. I have diddy 'girl' hands and that might make a difference to my ability to grip the camera. The cameras I try out wont be the exact ones that I am looking to buy in the US but will give me a better idea.

I looked at the 'price history' for the http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-came...-35183048.html and it has moved alot, that'd make a difference, I wonder why it changed so much?

Thanks

[gloozit]

I woke up this morning,was still half asleep, while letting out my dogs, and saw a baby rabbit. I grabbed my camera and took a few pictures. I have a habit of opening the slider door, just enough to put the camera out. I was taking shots normally and sideways (just in case the door was interfering with the sensor)
That's when it hit me. My camera isn't bulky at all. Yes it's heavier, slightly larger, and has a long lens, but I would not call it bulky. If anything it needs a larger grip. I think the word bulky should never have been in those reviews. A DSLR is bulky compared to my camera, my camera is bulky, compared to a compact, so............... bulky is not really a good review description word. Slightly larger is a better word.
You will want to check grip on a couple of cameras, if your hands are small. My fingers don't move as well as they once did and that is my biggest fear, is not getting a good grip during a quick shot, in less than good spot, like in a boat or while above a drop off.

I just looked at that camera price, for my area. One place has it for $249 USD, another $300. That;s a big difference and probably the reason for that weird price history.

Fujifilm FinePix SL300 14 MP Digital Camera
$240 online, $249 nearby (Best Buy)

[jacknscoob]

Hiya

Gloozit, I can imagine it is hayhem at your house with you running around with your camera , that'll be me soon hopefully! And maybe on my kayak if I am brave enough. I am still drawn to the FZ47, but still researching.

[Major Attitude]

Still say once you go Canon you will use nothing else. The one I mentioned early on in this thread is about my 4th Canon. Heres a couple resized pics. The bird was taken about 200 feet away across the river and the turtle was only 20 feet at most. Both were shot in Auto mode.

[gloozit]

Good shot of a Great Blue Heron. Darn things are spooky around here.
I do like my Canon, too. But.....
All cameras are not created equal, including Canons.
Better to check specs, before just buying a brand.
Cameras specs are constantly changing, just as PC's are. Canon isn't always the forerunner of newer, better tech.

[jacknscoob]

Hi Major Attitude

I have had another look at the Canon you suggested.

For me I dont think I need / desire anymore zoom than 24x, plus the Canon is more expensive. The only other thing that would put me off it that it is bigger and heavier and I would rather go alot lighter/smaller if that was possible.

But hey I am up for looking at all suggestions

[Major Attitude]

I'm with you. I didn't want to either. It can be a bit heavy. The reviews were so much better on it then all the other cameras that I bit the bullet. Honestly I will just use it around my home as I recently moved to a little house on the river with so much nature, otherwise I was content with my Canon pocket camera for most things. Everybody is different and while I usually am not brand loyal I still think they are one of the best on every level.

[jacknscoob]

Yes, I'm still worried about the big & heaviness of the Fz47.

Today I noticed the Fujifilm FinePix S1500

http://www.dpreview.com/products/fuj...i_finepixs1500

However, reviews and spec arnt so good. What do people think?

There must be other smaller / lighter versions of the FZ47?

[jacknscoob]

Hi Guys

Can anyone tell me which of these 3 cameras is the quickest performance wise:

1. FujiFilm FinePix S3200
http://www.dpreview.com/products/fuj...fujifilm_s3200

2. Nikon Coolpix P510
http://www.dpreview.com/products/nikon/compacts/nikon_cpp510

3. Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47
http://www.dpreview.com/products/pan...asonic_dmcfz47

Thanks x

[gloozit]

The specs tables are lacking details.
The Lumix has a continuous drive of (3.7 fps)
The FinePix has a statistic, I don't quite understand, I think these are picture size, I always shoot with Fine settings, which I think would be L here. Not sure what TOP means, unless like my camera, I can shoot continuously and it save the last 4.
Considering the numbers here, for the FinePix, I would say the Lumix is faster.
• L : TOP-3 1.2 fps
• M :TOP-10 3.3fps
• S : TOP-10 3.3fps, TOP-20 8fps

The Nikkon states (capture five images at FULL RESOLUTION in approximately one second).
The Lumix probably uses the, S TOP-1O Stat so it is faster, than the FinePix. And those are both NOT at full resolution.
From this I am "guessing" the Nikkon is faster at continuous shooting.

I am not seeing the same type of stats for all the cameras, so it is hard for me to say for certain.
Only one actually states the speed of the continuous drive in the stat columns.
You may want to read a few other reviews on these cameras. What I think you are looking for is the burst speed ( the number of pictures taken with one click, in one second.)
It seems like I saw 8 pics on one camera and 7 on another, but I don't see that this morning.
Faster may not be better in burst, because that means faster shutter, less light.
I may be asking you what to pick for my next camera.
Newer cameras sometimes, lack reviews, so you have to go specs and all the specs aren't here.