I am looking for a camera with the ability to take long zoom shots. http://tinyurl.com/7u8jtru I don't want to change lenses. The reviews I have read call it a superzoom camera. From the description and the sample movie, this appears to do the job. My question: The description on Amazon says it weighs 6.6 oz. Is that possible? Small is good if I am carrying several cameras. If you have any experience with this camera, please share your observations
I have an SX20, which is just an older generation of the SX40. It does have a good zoom, and good macro abilities. It is a pretty light camera, isn't nowhere as heavy as it looks. I mostly just use mine for video now. I'd say it's a good camera for every day use, or for someone who doesn't want a DSLR. You can still do manual settings, which is nice and a good way to learn.
I have an SX40 and it is an all around great camera. The only one draw back that is it has, is the sensor size it is the same size as a small point and shoot. Infact some of the newer Canon pocket point and shoots use the same sensor. Although this is not a deal breaker it does limit you a bit with shooting in the dark despite the fairly high ISO capability. I like this camera and the zoom is supper. The image stabilization is good even fully zoomed for still pics and for video you will need a tripod if you want to zoom in all the way.
@lorinc I looked through your pictures and really enjoyed your range and creativity. If it isn't too much trouble, do you have any images posted on flickr or another site showing the zoom capability of the SX 40? For example, a bird or other wild life. I'd really like to see how they compare to what I am able to do with my current cameras. Thanks
@allie912 I have the Fuji HS20, which for me had a better set of features than the SX40, and has a similar zoom. The zoom range on this type of camera is certainly remarkable, but bear in mind:
1. Even the best image stabilisation will struggle to remove camera shake at full zoom -- you may need a tripod to get a sharp shot in anything other than bright sunlight.
2. You are very much subject to atmospheric conditions if photographing a subject a long way away -- any kind of heat haze can seriously affect images if you are photographing something a long way away.
Not got any great examples of it at full zoom, best I can offer is this shot showing my apartment, taken from a mountain over 6.5 miles away:
With the sun facing me, I couldn't even make out my building with the naked eye.
My recommendation is to go along to a store and try a few superzooms out -- you will get a feel for the zoom range, as well as the weight and how they feel in your hand, which can make a big difference. The Nikon Coolpix P510 is another option which takes the zoom range to even more ridiculous levels -- 42x, with the telephoto end being equivalent to a 1000mm telephoto lens on a film SLR.
Here's another quick example, again not perfect I'm afraid, and not of anything interesting, sorry! (Note the arrow in the first photo)
As you can see, there's a reason they don't allow you to take these kind of cameras into North Korea!
Note that the 100% crop clearly shows camera shake, even with me braced against a column and that being the best of several shots, but is still just about readable.
Hope that gives you a better idea of the range this type of camera has.
@abirkill Thanks Alexis for pointing me toward the Nikon. I found a review source that gave head-to-head comparisons of the Canon and Nikon and it seems like the Nikon is worth the extra $50. I have only had Canons, except for my Lytro light field camera which is more of a novelty, so this may take some time getting up to speed.
Hello Allison, here is a great review of the Nikon Coolpix P510. http://www.technobuffalo.com/cameras/photography/nikon-coolpix-p510-review-its-42x-zoom-will-make-you-blush/
In addition Canon camers can be hacked with CHDK allowing you to shoot in raw with the SX40, oh and the sx40 OEM has a max of 15 sec exposure vs the Nikon Coolpix P510 @ only 8 sec. not so good for night shooting :o(
The Canon SX also has time laps and alot of other settings and options unlockable with CHDK. see -> http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK and also youtube videos. The CHDK app is installed on your SD card and does not harm your camera but allows a dual boot, factory or CHDK.
After thought - In looking at the screen on the Nikon P510, I’m not crazy about the design of the articulation that Nikon decided on. The market trend even with DSLR s is to hinge to the left (side) and the swivel because this works way better and is more tripod friendly. The compound hinge employed on the P510 is very much like the older Nikon D series or some older Sony and in the closed mode the screen looks like an after though. I will give them credit for the high resolution but their articulation is awkward.
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1. Even the best image stabilisation will struggle to remove camera shake at full zoom -- you may need a tripod to get a sharp shot in anything other than bright sunlight.
2. You are very much subject to atmospheric conditions if photographing a subject a long way away -- any kind of heat haze can seriously affect images if you are photographing something a long way away.
Not got any great examples of it at full zoom, best I can offer is this shot showing my apartment, taken from a mountain over 6.5 miles away:
With the sun facing me, I couldn't even make out my building with the naked eye.
My recommendation is to go along to a store and try a few superzooms out -- you will get a feel for the zoom range, as well as the weight and how they feel in your hand, which can make a big difference. The Nikon Coolpix P510 is another option which takes the zoom range to even more ridiculous levels -- 42x, with the telephoto end being equivalent to a 1000mm telephoto lens on a film SLR.
As you can see, there's a reason they don't allow you to take these kind of cameras into North Korea!
Note that the 100% crop clearly shows camera shake, even with me braced against a column and that being the best of several shots, but is still just about readable.
Hope that gives you a better idea of the range this type of camera has.
In addition Canon camers can be hacked with CHDK allowing you to shoot in raw with the SX40, oh and the sx40 OEM has a max of 15 sec exposure vs the Nikon Coolpix P510 @ only 8 sec. not so good for night shooting :o(
The Canon SX also has time laps and alot of other settings and options unlockable with CHDK. see -> http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK and also youtube videos. The CHDK app is installed on your SD card and does not harm your camera but allows a dual boot, factory or CHDK.
Hope this gives you more information and options.