Point-and-shoot for a DSLR user?

[hakepb]

The only think that would make me question the RX100 for "capturing the action" in gymnastics and basketball, is the limited zoom reach.
The RX100 low light / high ISO capability is otherwise as good or better than othe point and shoot cameras.

 

[TexasMouseFan]

Yikes! Life just cannot be that easy can it? I want the zoom and the low light capabilities. Just what is that 'perfect' camera? Is there such a thing without carrying a bag of cameras and lenses?

 

[hakepb]

For low light at extended zoom reaches, the Panasonic FZ200 has a constant aperature f/2.8 out to a 600mm equivilent. It is a bridge style camera so it is more bulky than the RX100. (But much less bulky than the extra $1000+ in DSLr gear you would need to get anything better)

In between the FZ200 and the RX100, the Nikon S7700 looks interesting with f/4 at 200mm with its enthusiast sized sensor.

 

[Soupermom]

I haven't had issue with the battery of my SX40. I purchased a second battery (2 actually) and a car/universal charger when I ordered the camera (also from Amazon, very inexpensive). I think the battery pack lasts as long as the 4 AAs my 3SIS took and its so easy to just pop in one replacement!

 

[momof1princess]

I haven't had issue with the battery of my SX40. I purchased a second battery (2 actually) and a car/universal charger when I ordered the camera (also from Amazon, very inexpensive). I think the battery pack lasts as long as the 4 AAs my 3SIS took and its so easy to just pop in one replacement!

do you have any photos you could post? i'd love to see them!

 

[wdwmom2]

do you have any photos you could post? i'd love to see them!

Not Soupermom, but here is my sample SX40 album. Keep in mind, I do like to edit my photos. So, not necessarily straight out of the camera.

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y71/wdwmom2/share/Canon SX40IS/

And, as far as battery life, I have had no issues. I did pick up a spare battery from B&H. Cost under $10 if I can remember correctly. Also, Amazon is another good place to look.

Love my SX40!!

 

[momof1princess]

Not Soupermom, but here is my sample SX40 album. Keep in mind, I do like to edit my photos. So, not necessarily straight out of the camera.

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y71/wdwmom2/share/Canon SX40IS/

And, as far as battery life, I have had no issues. I did pick up a spare battery from B&H. Cost under $10 if I can remember correctly. Also, Amazon is another good place to look.

Love my SX40!!

WOW! those are GORGEOUS! especially love the one from death row at eastern state pen. that place is super creepy, and i've always wanted to explore it. i would like to see some unedited photos, if you have any. the SX40 is on my short list.

oh WOW! look at that space shuttle! LOVE it! OoOoOo love the moon too! it would be so awesome to be able to take photos like that through DD15's telescope!

 

[wdwmom2]

WOW! those are GORGEOUS! especially love the one from death row at eastern state pen. that place is super creepy, and i've always wanted to explore it. i would like to see some unedited photos, if you have any. the SX40 is on my short list.

oh WOW! look at that space shuttle! LOVE it! OoOoOo love the moon too! it would be so awesome to be able to take photos like that through DD15's telescope!

At work now, I will make an unedited album. Give me a day or two and I will post one.

Glad you enjoyed!!!

 

[Soupermom]

I do have some great photos to share, but haven't set up an online account yet so I can post to the DIS. Hope to get that set up in the next week or two!

 

[momof1princess]

At work now, I will make an unedited album. Give me a day or two and I will post one.

Glad you enjoyed!!!

I do have some great photos to share, but haven't set up an online account yet so I can post to the DIS. Hope to get that set up in the next week or two!

thank you both! i can't wait to see them!

 

[wdwmom2]

momof1princess

Here ya go!!! I included most from my edited album in the unedited album, well, before they were edited!!!! Got it???? And a few extra.

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y71/wdwmom2/share/Canon SX40 unedited/

 

[momof1princess]

momof1princess

Here ya go!!! I included most from my edited album in the unedited album, well, before they were edited!!!! Got it???? And a few extra.

http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y71/wdwmom2/share/Canon SX40 unedited/

WOW! those are AMAZING! thank you SO much for sharing!

if i may be so nosy, which editing software do you use?

 

[wdwmom2]

WOW! those are AMAZING! thank you SO much for sharing!

if i may be so nosy, which editing software do you use?

Several I use a combination of Microsoft Picture It! 7.0, Photoshop Elements 5.0, and if I want to use tone mapping, Machinary Effects. Now, with Machinary Effects, I just had the trail version. Need to purchase the full program. My Picture It and PSE and OLDER versions. Still do the job though!

What's nice about learning a little bit about editing, is that you can salvage a pic that didn't come out quite like you had hoped!!!

Here is one that I shot at the Air and Space Museum. Quite underexposed. A little help with PSE and you are good!!! I think that I may have used ME on this one also, not sure. I am FAR from being competent at editing, but I know enough to get by

Before

After

 

[traylorc]

Yikes! Life just cannot be that easy can it? I want the zoom and the low light capabilities. Just what is that 'perfect' camera? Is there such a thing without carrying a bag of cameras and lenses?

Lots of folks would love to have a point and shoot that has a fantastic zoom range, low light capabilities, is extremely light, and only cost a minimal amount of money. If that type of camera truly existed, then you would not have people spending money on DSLR bodies and multiple.

IMHO...people have to accept the fact that if you are going to buy a point and shoot camera....there will be compromises. The new Sony is great little camera, good dynamic range, good low light capability, fast aperture...the trade off is that the zoom is limited and personally I think the flash is just "ok".

It's just a matter of figuring out what you can live with...

 

[hakepb]

The new Nikon P7700 seems to fill some of the low light zoom gap between the 600mm zoom of the constant f/2.8 FZ200 and near 100mm zoom of the RX100. And it helps that the P7700 is a bit more affordable than the FZ or RX.

The P7700 has a larger sensor than most point and shoots (still much smaller than the RX100) and for more help in low light, it has a fairly fast f/2-f/4 zoom up to 200mm:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikon-coolpix-p7700

 

[momof1princess]

Several I use a combination of Microsoft Picture It! 7.0, Photoshop Elements 5.0, and if I want to use tone mapping, Machinary Effects. Now, with Machinary Effects, I just had the trail version. Need to purchase the full program. My Picture It and PSE and OLDER versions. Still do the job though!

What's nice about learning a little bit about editing, is that you can salvage a pic that didn't come out quite like you had hoped!!!

Here is one that I shot at the Air and Space Museum. Quite underexposed. A little help with PSE and you are good!!! I think that I may have used ME on this one also, not sure. I am FAR from being competent at editing, but I know enough to get by

Before

After

HOLY COW! what a difference a little editing makes! i had NO idea anything like that was even possible.

 

[Soupermom]

I hope this works. This shot was taken with my XS40; I was completely zoomed in (no digital zoom used). I was several hundered yards away.

 

[Soupermom]

Anyone know why it didn't work? I only see a red X. What do you see?

 

[momof1princess]

Anyone know why it didn't work? I only see a red X. What do you see?

i see a blank space. not even a red X.

are you using flickr? if so, you have to C&P the BBcode to get the photo to show up.

 

[Soupermom]

Where is the BB code? I just CP the link on top (http....).