Songbird Portraits with our new SX40

Hi all,

We picked up another new superzoom this past week... an SX40-IS. It has a lot in common with our SX30, (same lens and body), but uses a smaller 12mp CMOS sensor which improves it's continuous shot speed, and allows better high ISO performance and some additional shooting features. We've just begun processing our first captures with it and I wanted to share a few of them here...

Tutfted Titmouse:

Wow, amazing set of images! Were you far from your subject? I might consider a super zoom as well

Wow! That about covers it, Kenn.

awesome shots, can you provide parameter for some of them?

I just talked my uncle into getting one of these last week.
I'm going to bring him out and see what it can do.

Canon keeps making these type Digital cameras and one of these days no one will want to buy cameras like the 5DIII or for that anything above the T3i . Wont be a need and alot cheaper by saving on lens !

stellar set of image Kenn, that is amazing from that camera! Can't offer any tips on processing or what to change, they look excellent as is. How did you find the shutter speed and lag time?

Simply amazing!! Congrats on the new camera. If you haven't learned how to use it yet, I cannot wait until you do.

beautiful!!!

I checked it out at Canon and that 35x zoom is equal to a 24-840mm lens !! Unbelieveable ! As i said these may replace those high end $$$$ cameras in the future !

Great shots Mate

Celestron wrote in post #14278098
I checked it out at Canon and that 35x zoom is equal to a 24-840mm lens !! Unbelieveable ! As i said these may replace those high end $$$$ cameras in the future !

Im considering picking one up to supplement my setup.
if I like it alot, it may replace it. LOL

I will use my uncle's first and see how it can do in my hands.
that zoom is tough to beat.
for me to get 840mm equivalent I would need a 500mm f4 on my 60d.
so I would have a 10lb setup that is $8k. or a $400 superzoom point and shoot. LOL
it is looking tempting.

Congrats on the new gear Kenn and great shots you've taken! I can't wait to see more from this camera.

Thanks everyone, for all your encouraging comments.

We do shoot pretty close up most of the time, and 840mm sure helps. But even though all these were taken from 25ft or less, they are all also cropped... and a few are fairly deep crops. They were all taken hand-held at base ISO(100) in Manual mode, as jpegs with reduced in-camera settings, and processed in Photoshop.

The exif below is from the full view shot of Ben (#6 above), and is fairly typical of the set with variations primarily in shutter speed and focal length.
Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX40 HS
Shooting Date/Time 4/5/2012 8:31:56 PM
Shooting Mode Manual
My Colors Mode Custom Color
Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/400
Av (Aperture Value) 5.8
Light Metering Spot
ISO Speed 100
Lens 4.3 - 150.5 mm
Focal Length 150.5 mm (840mm equivalent)
Digital Zoom None
Image Size 4000x3000
Image Quality Fine
Flash Off
White Balance Day Light
AF Mode Continuous AF
Parameters Contrast -1
Sharpness -2
Saturation -1
Color Space sRGB
File Size 2097 KB
Drive Mode Continuous shooting

While we are certainly advocates for low-cost backyard birding with superzooms, (and they definitely do offer amazing features for very little money), those with experience shooting wild birds with higher-end gear should know the other "price" that superzoom users must pay. These cams are generally quite slow to focus, slow shot to shot, unable to track birds in flight, and must be used at close range in good light (base ISO) for best results. Their sensors are tiny and the per/pixel IQ and dynamic range is simply no match for larger cameras. In other words, be prepared for low hit rates in the wild. Every camera has strengths and weaknesses, but those who normally shoot with DSLRs will soon become painfully aware of the superzoom's weaknesses when they first try shooting with one.

But... they do also have their $trengths... light weight, extraordinary reach with very effective IS, and surprisingly good IQ under ideal conditions. They cost less and take up less space in the camera bag than most decent DSLR lenses, and serious birders may indeed find them to be useful additions to their kits.

Thanks again, and good shooting everybody.

Kenn