You can't go past the Fuji S6000 especially if you are using a tripod. Look at the reviews in 'dpreview' and 'imaging resource'. It has a manual zoom ring unlike the equivalent Canon/Sony and has better IQ at all ISO settings. My next best would be the Panasonic (FZ7?) but hear that noise is visible even at low ISO even though it has a great lens..
Cheers..
Winterminute wrote:.
So, my research has led me to a couple of cameras: S3, S5, FZ8, FZ18,FZ50.
Among these, FZ50 is your best bet (higher resolution, proven sharp lens with minimal distortion, Raw mode, tilt LCD)..
They all seem to suffer from image quality problems especially athigher ISO..
Unfortunately that is true for all compacts. Only consider DSLRs if you want high ISO performance..
Is there a camera in the ulta-zoom category that Ishould be considering? I looked at the Olympus/Sony but those seemto have overall image quality problems. All of these cameras seem tobe going after the same market, the 12x+ optical zoom which isexactly what I'm after..
Yes..
I'll be shooting everything fromindoor/outdoor, wide angle/tele, night/day, macro, etc. So I reallyneed an all purpose camera. Most of my night shots will be with atripod and longer shutter times so hopefully I won't be shooting manyISO 800+ shots..
High ISO, Only DSLRs..
I've had Canon's for my last 3 cameras and been pleased with them,but it seems like Canon might not be the best choice in this market.I know nothing about Panasonic - Are they a true competitor?.
Yes. They have sharper lens (e.g. FZ50). But you have to shoot at base ISO and that too in Raw mode (which means all images will need post-processing) if possible. I would advise you to go for a DSLR however. Maybe Olympus E500 with twin-kit lens. That will give you combind zoom range of 10.7x at less than $600.Keep smiling, Ajayhttp://picasaweb.google.com/ajay0612(Thanks for your precious time & invaluable comments)..
Ultra zooms are inevitably involve a compromise between utility and image quality..
The bigger ones (Panasonic FZ50 and Fuji 9600/9100) offer far more in terms of utility in an all-in one package. The Fuji for example has a flip out LCD, hot shoe, PC synch socket and cable release socket. Both Panasonic and Fuji have excellent lenses so don't worry if it isn't a Canon or Nikon..
In the mid-sized range, given that you are a tripod user, the Fuji 6500 arguably leads the class in terms of IQ. Look at the Sony H9 as well, it's not bad..
The other option is a prosumer DSLR with 18-200 or 18-250 all purpose lens attached. Noise issues will be dismissed at up to ISO 800, but it will however lack the live view utility of the Panasonic or Fuji bridge cameras..
Take a look at some of my Fuji 9100 shots in the "Back to the bridge" link below..
John.Please visit me at:http://www.pbase.com/johnfr/backtothebridgehttp://www.pbase.com/johnfr..
Hi,.
As John said "ultra zooms are inevitably involve a compromise between utility and image quality" but most of them only notice at the extremes of zoom and ISO settings. If you use a tripod then I doubt if you spend all your time firing away at ISO 800 and above. So I wonder if any of them would be wrong for you, restricted (if "restricted" is the word) to ISO 100 and 200, where the results will be superior..
My experience of the Panasonic/Leica cameras is good: I'd go for something like the FZ50 or the new Olympus. In both cases I read the reviews' conclusions and ignored the bit that doesn't apply to me as I try to shot as near to ISO 80/100 as possible, just for the superior results. BTW, Olympus & Leica don't seem to compress JPEG's as much as the other makes: in other words, there's less of a jump between the top JPEG and raw/RAW quality..
Hope this is of some use..
Regards, David..
The Fuji S9100 is no slug either. Rather outperforming the newer Sony ultrazoom's and the Panny's..
-9mp Sensor-Flash Hotshoe-Manual Zoom + Manual Focus-Excellent 235,000pixel LCD and EVF.
Fuji Film S9100s9100/s9600 Flickr Group:http://www.flickr.com/groups/37994085@N00/..
I had the FZ50 and sold it quick. Poor quality images. I prefer my FZ30 and also bought a 30D. The FZ30 is far better than the FZ50. Find a good FZ30 on ebay or where ever you can find it..
Winterminute wrote:.
I'm looking to upgrade from my Canon A710 which I really like, butthe limited zoom and no electronic view finder has me ready to moveto the next step, but I'm not ready to spend the money on a DSLR..
So, my research has led me to a couple of cameras: S3, S5, FZ8, FZ18,FZ50.
They all seem to suffer from image quality problems especially athigher ISO. Is there a camera in the ulta-zoom category that Ishould be considering? I looked at the Olympus/Sony but those seemto have overall image quality problems. All of these cameras seem tobe going after the same market, the 12x+ optical zoom which isexactly what I'm after. I'll be shooting everything fromindoor/outdoor, wide angle/tele, night/day, macro, etc. So I reallyneed an all purpose camera. Most of my night shots will be with atripod and longer shutter times so hopefully I won't be shooting manyISO 800+ shots..
I've had Canon's for my last 3 cameras and been pleased with them,but it seems like Canon might not be the best choice in this market.I know nothing about Panasonic - Are they a true competitor?.
Ron_M..
If you're satisfied your 710 except for it's telephoto reach and Canons in general I'd see no reason not to get the S3 or the S5. Either should provide very good results...
Thanks for all the replies. Although, I'm not sure if you made my job any easier since my list of possibilities seems to have doubled Looks like I still have lots of research ahead of me..
Maybe I should just bite the bullet and get a Rebel XT and be done with itThanks again.....