Zoom lenses

[tyedye]

Thanks for all the info and replies. I don't just have an extra $1k laying around to spend, that's just what I thought I'd have to have if I wanted to go the dSLR route. In fact that is probably what is stopping from making the purchase is the money. My camera does work just fine and every now and than I get lucky and get a good sports picture. For pictures where the subject is standing or of scenery it does just fine.

I haven't used the continuous focus during soccer for a long time so I plan to try that again and see if it's any better. The FZ20 says it's iso is Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 and maybe if it went up to 800 or 1600 I might have better results? Also it has 2 settings for the image stabilizer and maybe I need to play with that some more too although I am usually using a monopod for soccer pictures. I usually set the scene mode to sports.

Anything I'm missing? Here's the review of the camera http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/fz20.html

 

[tyedye]

The Fuji S6000 is considered a p&s isn't it?

Also I do try to not have the zoom at 12x when taking sports pictures. One other thing I may try is that I have the image set to fine, maybe I would get ok results at normal. It also has 3 burst modes, not sure which one I have it set with, will have to check that out. Maybe after I learn more of the features and how to use this camera, I won't need to buy another...yet.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

I haven't used the continuous focus during soccer for a long time so I plan to try that again and see if it's any better. The FZ20 says it's iso is Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 and maybe if it went up to 800 or 1600 I might have better results? Also it has 2 settings for the image stabilizer and maybe I need to play with that some more too although I am usually using a monopod for soccer pictures. I usually set the scene mode to sports.

Anything I'm missing? Here's the review of the camera http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/fz20.html

Higher ISO wouldn't help with the focus speed ... ISO's the sensitivity of the sensor. The higher the ISO, the fast the shutter speed can be (it would reduce motion blur) but it doesn't affect the focus speed, AFAIK.

Also, using a higher ISO means more noise in your pictures. It's worse on P&S cameras because of the small sensors, but even DSLRs show noise at higher ISOs. Sometimes, noise reduction software can get rid of the noise and make a picture look clean, but it can also destroy some fine detail.

I've been looking at this review on DPreview and I'm surprised that you're having so much focus and lag problems; the timings of the camera would lead me to believe it's a pretty fast P&S ... it should be at least as fast as my Canon S3 and I've not noticed any lag problems....

Do you half-press the shutter or always full-press?

I think you should also look into the settings for the Continuous mode, you should be able to get 2-3fps and bursts as long as 4-7 pics (in large format mode) ... that's nearly as fast as many of the entry-level DSLRs and should cover just about any kids' sports action!

 

[tyedye]

Do you half-press the shutter or always full-press?

I usually half press to get the focus lock. I do not have continuous auto focus on.

I think this camera came out just before the S3 or I probably would have bought that one. But they are probably similar. But in a soccer game with a child running around if I set the scene to sports, cont auto focus, and image stabilization mode 1, I'll see if I get better results. It's close to impossible to focus lock on a moving object.

I am going to get my book out again and read it and see if I cannot better understand all the features. There are probably different settings I should be using.

 

[ukcatfan]

The Fuji S6000 is considered a p&s isn't it?

Also I do try to not have the zoom at 12x when taking sports pictures. One other thing I may try is that I have the image set to fine, maybe I would get ok results at normal. It also has 3 burst modes, not sure which one I have it set with, will have to check that out. Maybe after I learn more of the features and how to use this camera, I won't need to buy another...yet.

Yes, it is a p&s.

The only time I would ever think of lowering the quality is if you are running out of shots on the memory card. Sometimes cameras have a faster continuous mode if you lower the resolution, but by doing that you have less to work with if you want to crop and a missed focus becomes more obvious.

As for IS mode, I have always heard that the mode that only activates it at the time of the shutter release is more effective than always on. I do not have data to support that though. It sounds like one of those compromise situations as always on helps with framing, but single shot mode is supposed to be more effective.

Kevin

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

As for IS mode, I have always heard that the mode that only activates it at the time of the shutter release is more effective than always on. I do not have data to support that though. It sounds like one of those compromise situations as always on helps with framing, but single shot mode is supposed to be more effective.

You know, I've heard that a lot, too ... but any time I've ever seen it actually tested (and my own tests with my S3) lead me to believe that the opposite is true:

for example: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons3is/page5.asp

And, to tyedye, according to the tests the PDreview guy did, "IS Mode 2" is better at the long end of the zoom: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz20/page5.asp....

 

[tyedye]

according to the tests the PDreview guy did, "IS Mode 2" is better at the long end of the zoom:

I just read that on the site you gave too. I'm pretty sure I have it set at mode 1, I will have to check that later today.

I also think I have it set to spot AF as I thought that it would be better (read faster) to get the images I want in the frame then snap the photo, but maybe continuous AF is the way to go, with mode 2 IS. With 4 games this weekend I should have plenty of chances to try different settings!

 

[Groucho]

Thanks for all the info and replies. I don't just have an extra $1k laying around to spend, that's just what I thought I'd have to have if I wanted to go the dSLR route.

Well, it's not THAT bad. The K100D combined with a 50-200mm lens (not quite as much reach as a 12x PnS but much better image quality) can be had for under $600 after rebate, and of course all the lenses will be image stabilized. I don't think that you'd have to spend $1k to get any entry-level DSLR with a basic lens plus a long zoom.

 

[tyedye]

I changed the image stabilization to mode 2 and focus to continuous and didn't really notice much difference in the pictures. Although I didn't really get a good chance to take alot of pics because the glare from the cars in the parking lot put alot of streaks when looking to take a pic and my son hurt his knee and didn't play much.

So I'll try it out some more in the next few weeks as there are games every weekend. Although I am still kinda leaning toward getting a dSLR as I think it will help me get the pictures I want but then again, I don't know about spending the money for using it just for sports as my Panasonic is doing just fine with other pictures and there are tons of other things we need the money for right now.

 

[tyedye]

There is a panning mode on this camera, anyone know if it's worth a try for soccer pics?

 

[joellyn23]

A coworker is hoping to find a digital camera that allows him to zoom in/out while taking video. He currently has the Panasonic FZ7. I would imagine he'd be looking for a 10-12x optical zoom.

I see the panasonic TZ1 allowed zooming but their newer TZ3 model does not. is there an easy way to search for that feature?

TIA!

 

[Melissa_E]

I have a Sony H5 and it allows zooming while taking video.

 

[AndrewWG]

I believe that the Canon S3IS and S5IS also zoom while taking video. I have the S2 IS and it does zoom while taking video so I assume the S3 and S5 are similar.

 

[actionvaughn]

I believe that the Canon S3IS and S5IS also zoom while taking video. I have the S2 IS and it does zoom while taking video so I assume the S3 and S5 are similar.

The S5 and S3 both zoom during video, and take great quality as well.

 

[AndrewWG]

The S5 and S3 both zoom during video, and take great quality as well.

I was always VERY impressed with the quality of the S2 so I can imagine that the quality of both the S3 and S5 are great as well. Even viewing the movies on TV wasn't all that bad. Sure there is loss of quality, but for not having to lug around a camcorder or something, it is more than acceptable in my opinion.

 

[joellyn23]

THANKS so much -- I'll pass this along!!

 

[collcass]

Okay, so a few weeks ago I was hopefully looking to replace my Canon S2 w/ a DSLR. After sitting down with out budget and realizing the actual investment required above the cost of the camera (lenses), I've decided to go the route (for now) of the the super zoom, or advanced P&S.

I've been researching on dpreview but there are just so many to choose from. I am really only familiar w/ the Canon S5.

I saw the Sony DSC-H9 at best Buy which looks like a great camera (also happens to be on sale)

here's a few others that caught my eye:
Panasonic-Lumix DMC-FZ250 and DMC-FZ18
Fuji Fine Pix S8000fd
Olympus SP-560UZ

Are there any others you think I should consider? Anyone NOT like any of the models I mentioned?

ETA: I 'played" with each of these for a few minutes over the past week but trying them out in a store and actually using them are, of course, two totally different things.

Also, in my daily life, the photos I take generally range from sports, candids, landscapes and portraits. I'd say 60% of my photos are close ups. On both my Canon S2 and old Minolta Film SLR, I did "dabble" with the manual setting but never became all that familiar with them.

Thx a bunch

 

[Anewman]

Okay, so a few weeks ago I was hopefully looking to replace my Canon S2 w/ a DSLR. After sitting down with out budget and realizing the actual investment required above the cost of the camera (lenses), I've decided to go the route (for now) of the the super zoom, or advanced P&S.

I've been researching on dpreview but there are just so many to choose from. I am really only familiar w/ the Canon S5.

I saw the Sony DSC-H9 at best Buy which looks like a great camera (also happens to be on sale)

here's a few others that caught my eye:
Panasonic-Lumix DMC-FZ250 and DMC-FZ18
Fuji Fine Pix S8000fd
Olympus SP-560UZ

Are there any others you think I should consider? Anyone NOT like any of the models I mentioned?

ETA: I 'played" with each of these for a few minutes over the past week but trying them out in a store and actually using them are, of course, two totally different things.

Also, in my daily life, the photos I take generally range from sports, candids, landscapes and portraits. I'd say 60% of my photos are close ups. On both my Canon S2 and old Minolta Film SLR, I did "dabble" with the manual setting but never became all that familiar with them.

Thx a bunch

While there is is nothing wrong with staying away from DSLRs and going with super zooms, IMO you already have the S2 and will not see very much improvement by choosing a new super zoom.

Unless the S2 is done(broken), I would stick with it until you are ready to take a real step up.

 

[collcass]

While there is is nothing wrong with staying away from DSLRs and going with super zooms, IMO you already have the S2 and will not see very much improvement by choosing a new super zoom.

Unless the S2 is done(broken), I would stick with it until you are ready to take a real step up.

It is broken. I loved the camera. If it wasn't broken I definitely wouldn't be updating. I'd be adding a DSLR

 

[YEKCIM]

You might want to add the Fuji S9100 to your list. It has a little larger sensor, which should give better low-light results. Here is a side-by-side comparison between the models you listed and including the S9100.

~YEKCIM