Digital Still Camera Recommendations/Suggestions?

[robj144]

Originally Posted by fazool

I did a lot of research on 3/4 CMOS cameras and everyone gravitates toward the big two (Nikon or Canon) but when I compared specifications and features, the Pentax K-50 was massively superior.

I have two of these now and they are fantastic cameras.

The sensor sensitivity is a little grainy in low light but I think that's more a result of my neophyte photography skills.

He's not looking at DSLRs, however.

[cmac]

I don't have any real experience with bridge cameras, but based on your requirements I suggest that whatever you get, make sure it has top notch image stabilisation. If you're out at max zoom with the camera held at arms length then the potential for camera shake is substantial.

Also the Panasonic's 1mm extra at the wide end of the zoom is going to be more useful than a couple of hundred mm at the long end - you can just crop to get that, but you can't do anything to get wider after the photo has been taken.

Assuming you've read all the reviews and compared the various example photos, the only other thing is simply trying them out to see what fits your hands best, which feels well-made, which has the best menu structure and layout, and which feels easiest to use. You'll take more pictures with a camera that is pleasant to use compared to one that has annoying quirks.

[Swamp Yankee]

I love my Canon Powershot SX60 HS - from closeups of ants in flowers to craters on the moon - it's a great camera. The viewfinder screen is especially handy, it swings out, flips over, spins on its axis, reverses, or you can fold it back away and use the smaller viewfinder.

[Brucebubs]

Thank you every one - lots of good points to consider, much appreciated.

[harpspitfire]

there's plenty of places to check- dpreview is a good starting point

[cotten]

Originally Posted by Swamp Yankee

I love my Canon Powershot SX60 HS...

I bought the previous model of this camera a number of years ago for travel, and it has proved to be excellent, for many situations. Its long zoom, from wide to super-tele, is especially handy, and would be great for your wildlife shots. It is not up to DSLR quality, of course, but don't sell it short. It is a very capable, flexible camera.

cotten

[Swamp Yankee]

Originally Posted by cotten

I bought the previous model of this camera a number of years ago for travel, and it has proved to be excellent, for many situations. Its long zoom, from wide to super-tele, is especially handy, and would be great for your wildlife shots. It is not up to DSLR quality, of course, but don't sell it short. It is a very capable, flexible camera.

cotten

I noticed too late though, the OP wants panorama and it doesn't have that.

[harpspitfire]

honestly- a WF to a super telephoto lens will suffer from image quality- as far as panorama is concerned- good imaging software can do that for you from different shots

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

I haven't seen any of these cameras with an adjustable screen angle...

So, that's what the tilt and swing features were really for on my view cameras!

[philjs]

Originally Posted by harpspitfire

honestly- a WF to a super telephoto lens will suffer from image quality

Panasonics have Leica lenses, Sony uses Zeiss. Honestly, neither "suffer from image quality."

Phil

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by philjs

Panasonics have Leica lenses, Sony uses Zeiss. Honestly, neither "suffer from image quality."

Phil

.. and interestingly the Panasonic DC-FZ80 4K with 20-1200mm has moved to the top of my list.

It ticks every box except swivel screen.

[Swamp Yankee]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

.. and interestingly the Panasonic DC-FZ80 4K with 20-1200mm has moved to the top of my list.

It ticks every box except swivel screen.

I dunno... swivel screen is an amazing feature. I love having it when I'm getting macro shots of flowers especially. I can get the camera behind or under the flower and frame shots perfectly without moving. Select individual flowers deep inside a bush and frame the best shot to photograph them from different angles without moving the bush at all.

Try photographing the ant's eye view of a violet growing in the grass without a swivel screen Seriously, after owning one with - I'll never buy a camera without it at this point.

[Ozzy the dog]

I have always believed the most important part of the camera is the lens and back in the dark days of film and processing I was always a fan of Pentax and Nikon.

But that was when it was Lens and mechanics but now it is more a case of lens and electronics. The big advances here are Cannon and Nikon but whilst Cannon often offer more 'features', I still believe the Nikon and Pentax lenses to be the superior.

Last year my son bought a Nikon P900 fixed lens camera and the range of the lens is incredible. Effective Lens range from 24 to 2,000mm.

Here are some pics he took on a test shoot.

Blackpool Tower is 518 feet high. At the foot of the tower is a newspaper style layout of past entertainment on the prom below. This is a photo of that from the top, taken through the glass floor/window hence reflection.




This is the camera zoom on a small portion of text highlighted in the red square on the photo above.





Another photo of an object a little further away.

[philjs]

Originally Posted by Swamp Yankee

I dunno... swivel screen is an amazing feature. ...snip...I'll never buy a camera without it at this point.

I agree. I won't go back to any camera without a moveable screen. For my macro insect photography it's pretty much a must (that and the optically-matched Panasonic 2x achromatic diopter close-up lens!). In fact, I can't remember the last time I used the eye viewfinder on a camera.

With the OPs penchant for shooting birds I'm guessing the long focal length is a must, otherwise I'd suggest the FZ2500 which has the moveable screen and all the same bells and whistles as the FZ80 but tops out at 480mm. I can say that my FZ300 tops out at 600mm but with the optically matched Panasonic 1.7x telephoto lens on the adapter tube it maxes out to 1020mm (at f4!!!). Not to shabby for a "point-and-shoot."

Phil