[Ghostly Vision]

Hi everyone

I am thinking of updating my compact camera and would like some advice or comments please.

Firstly, I like the idea of a superzoom compact, as I don't really do much digiscoping these days and it would be good to have a camera where I can snap birds if they are close enough and large enough. This feature is also useful for insects and other small stuff that isn't approachable to macro level.

Secondly, I need a good macro for flowers and other small stuff.

The two options I am looking at are

Canon Powershot SX210 IS, which has 14x zoom and a 5cm macro, and

Nikon Coolpix S8000, which has a 10x zoom and a 1cm macro.

I would prefer to stick to Canon or Nikon, and if there are any other models I should consider in the <£200 bracket I'm open to suggestions.

Has anyone used either of these cameras for macro or other wildlife shooting?

Thanks in advance

Sean

[njlarsen]

Depending on how important it is for you with the bird photos, I think you should move up one level to the real superzooms, 18-30x range. In that level, the new canon sx30is and the panasonic models have most traction. May be a little above your bracket, but I would guess the pana fz38 should be available around the 200 mark now that a newer model is out.

Niels

[djprest]

if your looking in the sub £200 market i dont think you will have much luck,unless you go for an old film slr.
the modern digital point and shoots take such along time to zoom in,but they are fantastic for macro.

[Steven Astley]

Nice idea
But with the cameras you mention the only thing bird wise you will be able to photograph would be tame mallard and swans.

If compact is very important have a look at Olympus SP 800UZ

If your willing to go a bit bulkier and step up price wise, aswell as the canon SX30IS and panasonic Fz45 and Fz100. Look at this review of superzooms.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q110superzoomgroup/

But bare in mind the review isn't done by wildlife photographers. If it was then the Fuji HS10 would have a higher rating.

[Zackiedawg]

You might also consider fishing for a good condition used superzoom camera - as some of the ones from a few generations ago are by most agreement better than the newer models. The race for ever wider ultrazooms and ever more megapixels has caused some superzooms to get very mediocre image quality, especially for cropping in tighter, and in many cases the previous generations simply produced a better image. Some in the past that have been very well regarded include the Canon S3 IS, Sony H5, and Panasonic FZ18 and FZ30, and Casio Pro EX-F1. Many who went to DSLRs sold off their ultrazooms in very good condition, and many still have lots of life in them...might be worth consideration as they'd be well within the budget, and give room for purchasing a teleextender or adapters, new batteries, and memory cards if need be. Check places like KEH.com that sell used cameras, or you can brave sites like eBay.

Otherwise, I'd likely try to stick with as large a sensor as is possible - even if the camera is a bit larger. Some Fuji models that have used the 1/1.7" sensor will provide better quality than the majority of superzooms using the small 1/2.4 and 1/2.5 sensors...the afformentioned HS10 would be over your budget, however an S200 might get inside your budget - it has decent manual controls, a 1/1.6" sensor, and a 432mm max telephoto equivalent. And the slightly larger sensors will be a bit better in lower light.

[DMKSlater]

I've just started using a panasonic lumix G1. See attached pic using 45-200 lens. I also use the 14-45 for digiscoping and finding it a fantastic bit of kit. Dabchick and diving Gannet on 45-200 and Barwit digiscoped.

[rosbifs]

Lumix FZ28 suits me and prefered this to Canon....

18x zoom and up to 72x with digital.

I paid 230 pounds 2 years ago.

[Steve Babbs]

The fuji HS10 can be bought for about £260. (I use SLR and a superzoom and I think it'll be my next one.) So not much over budget, and if you wait a bit it may come down more. Fuji haven't pointlessly packed in a huge amount of megapixels - which might be why it appears to have a better image at ISO 400 then most, it has a manual zoom - which I much prefer to electronic - not sure what the macro capability is but, when I was playing with one in Jessops the other day, it certainly appeared good. It's 30X zoom means it really can be used to photograph birds.

[Ghostly Vision]

...It would appear, then, form the excellent advice given, that either the HS10 or the P100 would be the best choices.

I note in the DP review the Nikon is rated better on image quality, and I also notice it has a 1cm macro, just like my old favourite the 4500.

Can anyone offer more information on the comparison between these two? Looks like I'm going to have to spend a little more!!!

Sean

[Steve Babbs]

The Nikon does sound good but it doesn't shoot RAW pictures; a major disadvantage IMHO opinion.

[rosbifs]

Steve

Being a bit of a point and shoot man myself can you explin the benefits of 400iso comment. I put the Lumix into P max up the zoom - 72x with digital and fire away. I did a + stop cos it lightens up stuff a little but don't really understand why!

Rosbifs

[Steve Babbs]

The higher the ISO the greater the shutter speed at the same aperture and in the same light. It is the digital equivalent of film speed. Like film you pay a price. For film it was grain for digital it's noise, basically digital grain. SLRs have a big advantage that they have a bigger sensor and suffer less from noise at the same ISO. I think nothing of having my SLR at 800 but compacts do suffer badly and it can be visible at 200. From the reviews - I don't claim to have checked this for myself - it seems that none can cope very well much above that but reviews suggest that the Fuji can cope with ISO 400 better than most. By the way I wouldn't touch digital zoom or P mode with a barge pole.