Dropping Megapixels to increase optical range why not in DSLR? Why cant I drop the megapixel on a digital SLR eg 10 to 8MP or 6MP to increase optial zoom like one can with the hybrid cameras such as canon powershot S3, PAnazonic FZ50 etc Here I am confused - according to one reviewer with the panasonic FZ50 you have an inbuilt x12 optical zoom equiv to 35mm to 420mm lens. You can EASILY drop down to 5mp, getting in return a 17x OPTICAL zoom... why cant we do that with a DSLR - can someone explain in plain english - thanks Dropping Megapixels to increase optical range why not in DSLR? Why cant I drop the megapixel on a digital SLR eg 10 to 8MP or 6MP to increase optial zoom like one can with the hybrid cameras such... » Read More Dropping Megapixels to increase optical range why not in DSLR? Why cant I drop the megapixel on a digital SLR eg 10 to 8MP or 6MP to increase optial zoom like one can with the hybrid cameras such as canon powershot S3, PAnazonic FZ50 etc Here I am confused - according to one reviewer with the panasonic FZ50 you have an inbuilt x12 optical zoom equiv to 35mm to 420mm lens. You can EASILY drop down to 5mp, getting in return a 17x OPTICAL zoom... why cant we do that with a DSLR - can someone explain in plain english - thanks « Show Less
1112775
The increase in zoom length is simply the camera cropping the central portion of the image. You can do this with any picture from any camera. But you need to use imaging software on you computer. What Panasonic is offering is a way to do this while you are actually taking the picture, which might allow for better framing or exposure.
1247417
Because it's not possible...that's why. The optical zoom is what it is. If it's a 10x optical zoom, that's all you're going to get. The reviewer mentioned that she bought the camera and had no (nada) photo experience. If you are getting more than the optical rating it's because the camera is going into the digital zoom realm...
92049
Well, it only has digital zoom, and no real optical zooming (the lens does not move). I never use digital zoom, as it makes an already grainy image (from this camera anyway) even less sharp. If I wanted to "zoom" I would do it in post-processing in your computer's video editor, as you can crop at will.
588408
I don't know why they dropped the MP . I really like the bigger zoom , but the lack of MP is a big disadvantage . I also take my older version with me on photo shoots because of the better MP. My idea was to get a better camera for distant wildlife shots , but now I have to carry 2 cameras . It's a good camera , but would be much better with greater MP .
1649318
Has anyone seen any actual reviews of this camera as opposed to marketing spec lists? Sometimes I've seen pre-production models of cameras that get reviewed prior to actual release. It is the low light ability claims of the Nikon that I'll need to see put to the test. That's probably the biggest Achilles heel of all these superzooms. It may have a CMOS sensor (which explains the burst speed of this camera) but it is still the same small size sensor as all the superzooms so I'm dubious about any huge improvement in low light. All of the previous versions of this new crop of superzooms (Nikon, Sony, Fuji) only got a flat four star rating in Amazon while the Panasonic FZ35 and FZ40 both are at 4.6. This new group has longer zooms than the Pansonics but I need to know if the picture quality is improved in any way.
620683
This would be a good short term solution for increasing focal length I believe. No doubt you've checked out the longer focal length lenses and you can spend a whopping amount on them!
363259
From SD990 Users Manual (p 100): 'You can use the digital zoom, but the optical zoom cannot be used. If you want to shoot at the maximum magnification, you should adjust the zoom to the maximal factor before shooting. The sound from the zoom will be recorded' So really, it is just like many other cheaper P&S cameras, you can only use digitial zoom in movie mode. Digital zoom will degrade image quality considerably. Here is the link to the manual: http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/0300001398/PSSD990IS_IXUS980IS_CUG_EN.pdf
150435
With current technologies big zoom range requires a tiny sensor and mediocre optics. There is plenty of such junk on the market. This camera is for people who prioritize quality over zoom range. Also because of the higher quality output the picture is often usable after significant cropping. So in the end it is more or less comparable to 4x zoom on most other compacts.
296614
A prime lens will always have optimized optics for the focal length it is (because there is only one). A zoom will have to have compromises, even if minor, due to moving parts/optics/etc. I own a tokina zoom that is quite good, but second-tier lens makers can also have quality concerns compared to the major manufacturers. If you can actually resolve the optical issues (if any) is another issue. It's easy to find fault of a lens with a picture blown up to 100%+ on a big computer screen. Much tougher at practical sizes and print. So don't sweat it. That saiid, this is a marvelous lens with great optics and low-light capability in a reasonably compact size. Highly recommended. A prime lens will always have optimized optics for the focal length it is (because there is only one). A zoom will have to have compromises, even if minor, due to moving parts/optics/etc. I own a tokina zoom that is quite good, but second-tier lens makers can also have quality concerns compared to the major manufacturers. If you can actually resolve the optical issues (if any) is another issue. It's easy to find fault of a lens with a picture blown up to 100%+ on a big computer screen. Much tougher at practical sizes and print. So don't sweat it. That saiid, this is a marvelous lens with... » Read More A prime lens will always have optimized optics for the focal length it is (because there is only one). A zoom will have to have compromises, even if minor, due to moving parts/optics/etc. I own a tokina zoom that is quite good, but second-tier lens makers can also have quality concerns compared to the major manufacturers. If you can actually resolve the optical issues (if any) is another issue. It's easy to find fault of a lens with a picture blown up to 100%+ on a big computer screen. Much tougher at practical sizes and print. So don't sweat it. That saiid, this is a marvelous lens with great optics and low-light capability in a reasonably compact size. Highly recommended. « Show Less
679029
14 megapixels on such a tiny sensor makes each teeny weeny pixel unresponsive to even moderate levels of light. So minicams with above 10 MP have very poor performance if the picture is not taken in daylight or strong flash. Canon responded by placing a new 10 MP sensor (the largest they could fit in the camera, with the largest MP count that would meet their low-light performance floor) in the G11. Result? I sold my G10 with its noisy, overpixellated marketing gimmick of a sensor in favor of a solid imaging performer in the G12. Now I own both the G12 and the S95, a tiny pocket camera that has the same sensor, the same guts and a better lens, but I can carry it around with me. I find myself leaving the G12 at home and using the s95 for about 90 percent of the point-and-shoot work I do. It gets me the shot, just like the G12 does. But it fits unobtrusively in my front pants pocket. In sensitive situations like certain museums that don't allow flash photography and/or public figures that see every big camera as belonging to paparazzi, the S95 can get you shots with its fast lens and responsive 10MP sensor that the old G10 could never get. It's an awesome bit of technology, and I love it. If you haven't yet bought the G12, you should give the S95 a test drive. It is truly a G you can fit in your pocket.
537012
Thanks a million, Tech.I cut teeth on a Pentax K1000. My zoom lens went up to 200/250mm. When I needed a long range I used what would be similar to an Opteka 500mm telephoto cannon lens. If you have a steady hand and can pan well you can get action shots with it. I have some amazing Air Force Thunderbird and Navy Blue Angels shots (when they visited Chas. Air Force base back in the day).I was hoping a teleconverter would get me close to this strength of magnification while keeping AF. An Opteka 500mm MF might be a cheap solution to getting to power I need. I'm just not sure if, with the megapixels the Canon can pump, the shots would be acceptable.Thanks for your time.Peace Thanks a million, Tech.I cut teeth on a Pentax K1000. My zoom lens went up to 200/250mm. When I needed a long range I used what would be similar to an Opteka 500mm telephoto cannon lens. If you have a steady hand and can pan well you can get action shots with it. I have some amazing Air Force Thunderbird and Navy Blue Angels shots (when they visited Chas. Air Force base back in the day).I was hoping a teleconverter would get me close to this strength of magnification while keeping AF. An Opteka 500mm MF might be a cheap solution to getting to power I need. I'm just... » Read More Thanks a million, Tech.I cut teeth on a Pentax K1000. My zoom lens went up to 200/250mm. When I needed a long range I used what would be similar to an Opteka 500mm telephoto cannon lens. If you have a steady hand and can pan well you can get action shots with it. I have some amazing Air Force Thunderbird and Navy Blue Angels shots (when they visited Chas. Air Force base back in the day).I was hoping a teleconverter would get me close to this strength of magnification while keeping AF. An Opteka 500mm MF might be a cheap solution to getting to power I need. I'm just not sure if, with the megapixels the Canon can pump, the shots would be acceptable.Thanks for your time.Peace « Show Less
309255
Look at the cost of any DSLR once you add on a F 1.8 zoom lens!Aside from the physical size difference, it costs a lot more to have a fast lens on a DSLR.
1572553
I know some times mega pixels don't matter but they down graded from (FZ40) 14mp to 12.1mp (FZ47). The lense seems to be the only upgrade they made. They put some sort of nano coating on the lense to minimize light reflection. I think I well just hold on to my FZ40 for another year, no need to upgrade in my opinion.
57170
Nikon designs it's lenses so that if the widest zoom is under 70mm, they will not work with the teleconverter, whether its Nikon branded or not. I would not recommend using the 70-300 with it because of the loss of light. You also may not be able to autofocus at your longest zoom because the lens will have a widest aperture greater than f8. I never use this teleconverter due to the major reduction of image quality (I have a 70-200 2.8). The only real use for it is on the long primes like the 300 or 400 2.8 because it won't degrade image quality as much. In short, get good glass, not a teleconverter. Nikon designs it's lenses so that if the widest zoom is under 70mm, they will not work with the teleconverter, whether its Nikon branded or not. I would not recommend using the 70-300 with it because of the loss of light. You also may not be able to autofocus at your longest zoom because the lens will have a widest aperture greater than f8. I never use this teleconverter due to the major reduction of image quality (I have a 70-200 2.8). The only real use for it is on the long primes like the 300 or 400 2.8 because it won't degrade image quality as much. In short, get good glass, not a... » Read More Nikon designs it's lenses so that if the widest zoom is under 70mm, they will not work with the teleconverter, whether its Nikon branded or not. I would not recommend using the 70-300 with it because of the loss of light. You also may not be able to autofocus at your longest zoom because the lens will have a widest aperture greater than f8. I never use this teleconverter due to the major reduction of image quality (I have a 70-200 2.8). The only real use for it is on the long primes like the 300 or 400 2.8 because it won't degrade image quality as much. In short, get good glass, not a teleconverter. « Show Less
1940851
Thanks again. I'll be deciding by the end of the week, because I'll have to return the Canon by Saturday! Another thing re: the Panasonic is that you can attach certain lenses to it to extend the zoom and possibly some other stuff. I like that Idea. I love cameras with big wide lenses on them!Take care, and thanks for your thoughts.
1372331
The zoom certainly helps. Makes your image appear to be eight times closer. However, say for example you are shooting a bird 100 ft. away. He still will be a long way off, for example he will not cover the whole screen. Most people shooting wildlife use lens with basically 200x. If you are shooting a deer for example at 100 feet with a 8x he will pretty well fill the screen. If you could get within say 20-30 feet your 8x would work fairly well.
1698623
the ex210 has a 40x optical zoom also an 80 and 200x digital zoom. the greater the distance the lesser the quality of the image. how ever it is amazing. but note well, when zooming at great distance a tripod is need to stabilize the image. I am a police detective and I use it for surveillance and it is great.
1222636
I had the S8200 with 40x optical zoom and same sensor as the SL1000. I own a Canon SX40 and SX50 and both of the Canon's render higher quality images and will lock focus faster and hold it(especially at the long end) than the Fuji. I do like the Fuji colors though. If not going above 8x10 in prints, the Fuji is attractive. That said, the SX50 is a very refined camera that does everything very well. I suggest you visit BestBuy or anywhere that you can compare the two. Take a SD card with you and ask them to let you shoot some images in store or better yet, outside. Take your SD card home and see what you like/dislike. I had the S8200 with 40x optical zoom and same sensor as the SL1000. I own a Canon SX40 and SX50 and both of the Canon's render higher quality images and will lock focus faster and hold it(especially at the long end) than the Fuji. I do like the Fuji colors though. If not going above 8x10 in prints, the Fuji is attractive. That said, the SX50 is a very refined camera that does everything very well. I suggest you visit BestBuy or anywhere that you can compare the two. Take a SD card with you and ask them to let you shoot some images in store or better yet, outside. Take your SD card home and... » Read More I had the S8200 with 40x optical zoom and same sensor as the SL1000. I own a Canon SX40 and SX50 and both of the Canon's render higher quality images and will lock focus faster and hold it(especially at the long end) than the Fuji. I do like the Fuji colors though. If not going above 8x10 in prints, the Fuji is attractive. That said, the SX50 is a very refined camera that does everything very well. I suggest you visit BestBuy or anywhere that you can compare the two. Take a SD card with you and ask them to let you shoot some images in store or better yet, outside. Take your SD card home and see what you like/dislike. « Show Less