Superzoom lens vs superzoom camera

[tkbslc]

Say one wants a nice wide range zoom lens for their camera - like a Tamron 18-270. Put that on a crop camera and you get 29-425mm equivalent. Pretty decent lens, not super sharp, but pretty good for general walk around, vacation stuff. You are going to need a flash for indoor shots, most likely, unless you crank the ISO. Sounds like a nice lens to have on hand for the more casual shooting days.

But then I got thinking. If I am out shooting casually, am willing to give up some IQ, am not going to be able to shoot in low light - why not just buy a big zoom compact? For me in particular, I use my nicer lenses when quality counts anyway, so what would I be giving up. If I got a Canon brand one I could even strap my 430EX to the top for shooting indoors. Range would be even better than the superzoom lens and cost about 200 less. Does that sound crazy, or why would I want to have a 18-200IS or Tamron 18-270 over a camera like the SX20IS?

[spiralspirit]

the IQ just isn't comparable. IQ and ISO performance are hugely dependent on sensor size and superzoom p+s cameras just have small sensors.

If you don't mind, buy a superzoom. There is no rule that says everyone needs an SLR all the time.

[tkbslc]

Originally Posted by spiralspirit

the IQ just isn't comparable. IQ and ISO performance are hugely dependent on sensor size and superzoom p+s cameras just have small sensors.

If you don't mind, buy a superzoom. There is no rule that says everyone needs an SLR all the time.

Well agreed, but you are already compromising on IQ when you use a 11x+ zoom anyway, right?

[Tim Kostka]

Originally Posted by tkbslc

Well agreed, but you are already compromising on IQ when you use a 11x+ zoom anyway, right?

Yes, but you are not sacrificing nearly as much IQ as you would with a P&S. It's not exactly a black and white thing.

[Rio Sundoro]

Originally Posted by tkbslc

why not just buy a big zoom compact? For me in particular, I use my nicer lenses when quality counts anyway, so what would I be giving up.

Do you mean superzoom compact of super zoom bridge camera like the new Fuji FinePix HS10? I think with the bridge camera, you will get a roughly comparable lens with the Tamron, for instance... I used to own a Panasonic FZ-50. Good and very decent IQ. Just don't go above ISO 400...

[Persephone]

I can crank up the ISO of my DSLR; I used to push it to 3200 ISO at times (I don't do that anymore) with f/5.6 lenses. For the superzoom camera, even the SX110 has unacceptable IQ loss at 300mm and ISO 80, and indoors and cranked up ISO would be much worse for me.

[gabebalazs]

The compromise with my Tamron 18-270 is a minimal one between about 20-120mm. In that range it is actually very sharp. It is good above that up to about 180mm. 200-270mm is softer but still more usable than a superzoom P&S, while the VC is just simply awesome.

Every time I look at my older images from my compact P&S, I just really don't like them compared to my DSLR images. I look at one and my first guess is wow that must have been like ISO 1600, then I see the EXIF and it's ISO 400 and crappy noisy.
Maybe I just have a good copy but I'd take my XT (or 7D) + 18-270 over a P&S superzoom any day.

But I do see your logic. Go with whatever feels the best solution for you.

[yogestee]

For "happy snap" type photos I couldn't agree more using a superzoom compact but for anything slightly more serious a DSLR with superzoom will trounce the compact..

All said and done I often carry only my G10 around.. Images under 400 ISO it produces great images.. Anything over 400 ISO it gets a bit messy..

[gabebalazs]

Yeah, that's true, I wish I could afford a good quality thin, super compact p&s, something that fits in a shirt pocket easily. That'd be nice but I just can't convince myself to spend money on it.

[tkbslc]

You guys are right. I looked back at some pictures from my Fuji S700, and they were not as good as I remembered.

Did get a few keepers - as long as it was sunny

I found many more with blown highlight, OOF due to slow AF, noisy, lots of CA, soft, etc. etc.

[KenjiS]

Pfftttt Because why only go to 425 when you can have a 720mm equivalent..

And a backlit sensor

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10...hs10series.asp

actually in all truthfulness, it probubly wont be a bad cam well at least for what it is

[yogestee]

Top end P&S cameras like my G10 produce great images in good light as long as ISO is below 400.. But what really annoys me is the shutter lag..

I love shooting street candids and I thought I'd try the G10 as a "stealth" camera.. I gave up after the second attempt.. Image quality was great but I nearly always missed the decisive moment..

[monk3y]

why do all p&s have such terrible shutter lag when in fact they don't have a mechanical shutter right? care to explain?

btw, what's the price range of the new fuji superzoom camera.. its not compact.its more like an SLR with fix lens

[raylfreeman]

I bought a XS20IS in September, caught the camera fever, then got a DSLR for Christmas. My XS20IS is now for sell on E-Bay. I will never be without a DSLR......never. The difference between the two is the difference between poop and ice cream.

[dan_bgblue]

The S5IS I carry in my kit for quick shots, will deliver some really nice images if one remembers it's limitations. I know there are newer point and shoots on the market than the S5 and they may deliver better images, but I am satisfied with what I have. The limitations have been listed above so I will not repeat them.