WOW! Your Galapagos images are excellent.... Looks like the P900 performed quite well. I, for one, haven't used mine in quite some time, and have been doing most of my shooting with my larger Canon DSLRs and lenses.
But you brought up the G3X which I've been very interested in. Yes, it's "only" 600mm but it's a 1" sensor which is mammoth compared to the Nikon and will surely deliver much higher IQ images. Reviews I've read on it are stellar but it really annoys me that Canon did not build in an EVF. Granted you can buy one but it's a pricey accessory, which to me, diminishes the attraction...
Chris
I had a chance to handle the Panasonic FZ1000 briefly while we were on the islands. It's a really responsive camera and I have a feeling that's why so many DSLR users like it. Unfortunately, I think 400mm just isn't enough for my needs, and unlike other FZ's it isn't threaded for a teleconverter. If it was, I'd buy it in a heartbeat, cause I've seen stunning bird pics from the the FZ200 paired with a Nikon E17ED teleconverter.
There is a good discussion of the FZ1000s internal electronic TC on DP Review:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/53860928
Apparently it provides effective 592mm but reduced resolution
I currently own a Panasonic fz35 and I find its EVF to be only usable at best.
I will be upgrading in January and am leaning towards purchasing a fz 300, particularly if the reviews when it are released are highly favorable with particular emphasis on the EVF which is supposed to be far superior to the one on the fz200.. My backup plan if the reviews are not favorable is to purchase a fz 1000 as its EVF is said to be superb.
However, I still remain intrigued by the Nikon 900 and its megazoom capabilities
So I am wondering for those who have used the p900 what are your impressions of its EVF, in terms of its strengths and weaknesses.
Thanks mzettie and Den for your helpful feedback.
In the end, alas, I will have to decide between the excellent EFV of the Panasonics albeit with decent but not great optical zoom capability and the p900 with its much greater zoom potential but only good but not great EFV.
All of the three sound like that their image stabilization is quite good to exemplary.
Thanks again!
I love the EVF on my 900 not had one on my last few cameras (mostly videos) and "was not bothered" when I found the 900 had one. Now I wouldn't be without it, get a clear picture when I look through it, not having to juggle about with the screen angle and avoiding glare. Certainly I find the target quicker.
Now I can't compare the speed, not having had a fast camera before, but I find the AF is as fast as I can line up the shot, snatching at BIF it surprises me, and I have never found it to be slow enough to make me get disappointed..........line up the shot, press and click....job done
Tests in the garden on tripod and with remote lining up a telegraph pole at 220 mtrs and I find the 800mm setting is generally best, but as always, it is down to good light coming from the right direction.
Just after I got my 900, I took some pics of people and dogs at Sandwich bay, they were 1.4 miles away, and I used full digital zoom hand held. All the people were recognisable Not been able to repeat that shot since...different light perhaps?
I usually keep the digital zoom turned off though, leaning towards quality and not reach.
I had a little play around with my TC-E17Ed lens, the one which fits on the front of the lens. Big, bright and damned heavy. Purchased an adaptor ring and a little bit of machining on it and fitted the lens to the front of the 900 using a mounting bar to stabilise and support it. The idea was to see what could be achieved. "Not a lot" as Paul used to say, but it does look impressive
Den
Seen that all these are pretty bulky, you could add the Canon GX3 to your list, even though you'd then need to shell out extra for the viewfinder.
Etudiant, any idea if the G3X is threaded for a TC?
Mzettie, The setup is a bit fraught with possible dangers; firstly you have to be very careful not to switch off with the TC attached...would probably overload and damage the zoom motor.
So I set the camera up on an aluminium rail and screwed the TC on after the lens was zoomed out, the TC resting on the rail so no weight on the camera. At 2000+TC the pic was OK (ish) all I can say is that it worked I did try it at 1200 but could see no point in that as it still only gave me 2040 with no improvement in IQ over the standard lens. I usually attach the TC to my Sony video camera with excellent results, rarely use it without it on, I am sure it gathers more light, almost 3.4" diameter maybe that would help sometimes on the 900.
I doubt I shall try any more experiments for fear of wrecking the camera, her indoors would never forgive me.
Den
Thanks, Den, doesn't sound (or look) practical at all on the P900. I do wonder if the E17ED would work on the G3X, though. That would hold a lot more appeal than using it on the FX300, since they're both 600mm capable but the G3X has a one inch sensor.
Just looking at the posted picture, I cringe.
Unfortunately, the Canon at full zoom has a similarly extended barrel, so the same concerns would apply.
There is a depiction of it in this French language review:
http://www.lemondedelaphoto.com/Canon-PowerShot-G3-X-plus-long-le,11019.html
Think ime going to wait to see if the rumor about the new one with a even longer zoom is right.
New: Nikon may also announce a new super-zoom compact Coolpix P4000 camera with 24-4800mm f/3.8-10 lens (200x zoom), 1.5kg. weight, 3.5" LCD screen and magnesium body. After the success of the P9000 (out of stock everywhere), it is very likely that Nikon will introduce another super-zoom model.
Read more on NikonRumors.com: http://nikonrumors.com/2015/08/03/what-to-expect-next-from-nikon-3.aspx/#ixzz3kNl7seqB
You probably refer to this:
Just a rumour, perhaps. The P900 is still unavailable in Germany (with rare exceptions). If the P4000 becomes reality, it might cost a lot more than the P900 though. And 1.5kg is more than I am willing to wear around my neck.