Best P&S for birds?

[davebreal]

Just curious if any experienced birders here have had any luck with point and shoot cameras.

I am considering getting a point and shoot as a backup to my "big rig" (500mm f/4 + tripod, etc etc). There are many overcast, drizzly dreary days when I don't want to expose my camera and lens to the elements but would also like to have a wildlife camera... just in case... It would also be nice to just have a lightweight cam with some reach that I could leave in my car or lug around on really long hikes.

I have seen some decent results from the older Canon Powershot S5. The Canon SX 10 IS also has a bit of reach to it. Looks like good things are also expected from the new Olympus SP 590 UZ (26-676mm f/5 at the long end).

What does everyone think?

[jgrussell]

I have seen some decent results from the older Canon Powershot S5.I have the S5 and would use it as a backup to my dSLR... but only as a backup. You just can't get the image quality in a P&S, period.

[Here and There]

S5/S10 or whatever the new one is called (the 20x optical zoom version) and a Sony 1.7 telephoto converter. Before getting a dslr I was using an S5 with a telephoto converter for birding. It was frustrating to say the least, but I think it would work ok as a backup.

[artyman]

I would thought that lack of reach would be the problem except for things like ducks at the park perhaps, unles using a hide (blind)

[BradM]

I think if I didn't shoot on overcast, dreary and drizzly days I wouldn't be shooting at all. I all but ignore the weather, when it is raining I might put the lens coat hoodie over the camera body when hiking along with it over my shoulder but that is about it.

Some of the P&S's now have amazing zooming ranges but with the inherent shutter lag, slow AF, frame rates around 1.5 fps and terrible noise in some as soon as ISO 200 and most by 400 personally the limitations would be to much to consider for use on those days that you are suggesting using it for.

These cameras are only performing at their "best" in good to great light, in poorer conditions the performance drops off significantly. While I think for the most part these cameras can perform very well in some circumstances, the situations that are proposed for the use here is not going to lead to many happy results compared to a dSLR.

[davebreal]

thanks for the responses everyone, the lowlight performance would be a real downside for sure.

[davebreal]

i've bit the bullet and ordered an Olympus 590 UZ as a backup tool. Mostly spurred on by a once in a lifetime shot of a Pileated Woodpecker out in the open, no obstructions, and I got within 10ft away at lower than eye level. I was doing a brief walk and didn't want to carry my 500 + tripod.

The test images here seemed fine IMO, plus I'm probably better at post-processing than a beginner:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1008&message=31502913&q=590&qf=m

[Karl Johnston]

Casio exF1

Boom - 40 something fps 8) !

[davebreal]

Casio exF1

Boom - 40 something fps 8) !

36 to 432mm @ 6mp

vs

26 to 676mm @ 12mp!


Do you have that Casio? Any wildlife images?

[davebreal]

brief test of Olympus:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=674599

[Methodical]

I have the Panasonic z18 which has the 18x zoom which is nice. But ever since I got the 50d, I rarely use it; my daughter (8 yrs old) uses it when she goes out with me sometimes. The autofocus is just to slow when fully zoomed out causing missed shots.

[canonloader]

Any camera is just a tool. I think Kenn uses an old S1 and nobody can deny, his Bluebird shots are the best around. Still, for dreary wet days out of football season, the best thing is to stay home and either sleep in or practice some CS3 skills. In season of course, you watch the games. ;)

[davebreal]

blarghh, went out for an hour this evening after a family function... saw 6 Palm Warblers and 6 Phoebes and I needed the reach and AF of my 500mm f/4! **!**$@$@$@

hope they are around tomorrow still!

[cdifoto]

Just curious if any experienced birders here have had any luck with point and shoot cameras.

I am considering getting a point and shoot as a backup to my "big rig" (500mm f/4 + tripod, etc etc). There are many overcast, drizzly dreary days when I don't want to expose my camera and lens to the elements but would also like to have a wildlife camera... just in case... It would also be nice to just have a lightweight cam with some reach that I could leave in my car or lug around on really long hikes.

I have seen some decent results from the older Canon Powershot S5. The Canon SX 10 IS also has a bit of reach to it. Looks like good things are also expected from the new Olympus SP 590 UZ (26-676mm f/5 at the long end).

What does everyone think?
I think you should get a condom for the rig you already have (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/469774-REG/Op_Tech_USA_9001132_18_RainSleeve_Set_of.html).