Which camera for bird photography?

Garry · #1 (**permalink**) 13-01-2011, 09:04 AM

Hi

Not sure if this thread of mine should be in this forum. Last year you have helped me in I.D. a number of my bird photos.

When I go to various birding locations, I always see a gent with the biggest lens you can buy ...£5000 +++++

I have seen that there is two new camera out

Fuji Finepix HS10 and Canon Powershot SX30 all around about £350-420 ish

But they both have a decent zoom on them up to 720 mm.

Has anybody actually used these cameras for bird photography?

Is it worth spending the money on one of these?

Many thanks.

Garry

Mitty · #2 (**permalink**) 13-01-2011, 09:26 AM

I'm waiting for the new Finepix HS20 coming out in April, I'm very excited.

I very nearly bought the HS10 because it seems to be the best superzoom around (with good manual features) but the HS20 will hopefully fix a few niggles as it will have a slighly better sensor, when used at 8MP at least, and a better processor. Also be compatible with a remote shutter.

It can be pre-ordered for about £360 at the moment but the price of the HS10 might become very appealing soon.

Amarillo · #3 (**permalink**) 13-01-2011, 10:39 AM

Yes, people do use them for bird photography and yes, it is definately worth spending the money on in my opinion. You can search the galleries both here and on birdforum for examples of how these cameras perform.

I have used a Panasonic FZ38 for bird photography for a couple of years and as long as you accept the limitations of a superzoom compared to a DSLR then you won't be disappointed.

The limitations are basically that
1) these cameras don't perform well in bad light
2) you won't be able to get decent shots of birds in flight.

With a good eye and the necessary fieldcraft you'll be able to get shots that are comparable to what you would get with a DSLR.

Garry · #4 (**permalink**) 13-01-2011, 05:09 PM

Hi

Many many thanks for your answers. I did not know there will be a HS20. So i be waiting for April to see it.

Once again thanks

Garry

darrenm · #5 (**permalink**) 14-01-2011, 08:56 AM

If anyone buys a HS10 buy some good rechargeable batteries to go with it, they chew through normal batteries in a vey short period and there is nothing worse than being caught short with no power in your camera when the perfect shot occurs

momji1971 · #6 (**permalink**) 21-01-2011, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amarillo

With a good eye and the necessary fieldcraft you'll be able to get shots that are comparable to what you would get with a DSLR.

Not really true. Whilst great images can be made, a bridge camera will not create a comparable photo as a 500mm F4 lens etc. Depth of field (or lack of it for isolating subjects), detail and noise will be different.

Not having a pop at you Amarillo or bridge/superzoom cameras

but I've help many budding bird photographers who wonder why they can't get the images they see in books, internet etc and become disheartened because they thought a 500mm superzoom would bring them the images they had in they're heads. I've pointed them towards a second hand dslr and 300mm (not many thousands! a lot less!) and with fieldcraft and patience finally started realising their visions.

regards.
Stu.

chiglet · #7 (**permalink**) 23-01-2011, 08:10 PM

Hi,
I've got a Fuji HS10 [along with a Nikon D90 and up to a 170-500mm zoom] and it isn't too bad. It is slightly noisier than a DSLR [but I found that with my old FZ28]. As to batteries, I got 90ish photos and 5 mins of video [very good quality, better than my D90] and 30 alkalines are less than £7 delivered from ebay.
If you have a bird table set up and reasonable light, the HS10 is great. Scenic views are also top quality. One photo I took in porteait mode with a
D90, 18-200mm lens, I can take in landscape with the Fuji. Replacement, NO. backup. YES

Vectisbirder · #8 (**permalink**) 23-01-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momji1971

Not really true. Whilst great images can be made, a bridge camera will not create a comparable photo as a 500mm F4 lens etc. Depth of field (or lack of it for isolating subjects), detail and noise will be different.

Not having a pop at you Amarillo or bridge/superzoom cameras

but I've help many budding bird photographers who wonder why they can't get the images they see in books, internet etc and become disheartened because they thought a 500mm superzoom would bring them the images they had in they're heads. I've pointed them towards a second hand dslr and 300mm (not many thousands! a lot less!) and with fieldcraft and patience finally started realising their visions.

regards.
Stu.

Very true. I started off taking pics with a superzoom, a Minolta DiMage Z2 (I think the zoom range of the Z2 is 35-480mm). It was 'adequate' for illustrating blogs but no more than that. I also had a DSLR but I only had a 70-300mm lens so, getting a bit frustrated with the quality - or lack of quality - of the Z2 I bought a Sigma 170-500mm (the DSLR and the 170-500mm combined cost less than £1000 and the 70-300 wasn't exactly expensive either) and the resulting pictures were a massive improvement over the compact superzoom.
You can buy a new DSLR and a decent long zoom and don't need to pay thousands of pounds as even a basic starter level camera will give you good quality results. Buying secondhand is even better for your wallet, as photographers tend to like the latest and best cameras (lenses aren't updated as frequently) and there are some really good cameras to be had for a couple of hundred quid. Chuck in something like the Sigma zoom and you're away.

Amarillo · #9 (**permalink**) 26-01-2011, 10:27 AM

momji/vectis

Yes fair points. You won't get those professional images you see in books etc with a superzoom, but you can get a lot better than just "adequate for illustrating blogs" At Christmas I created some calendars with the photos blown up to almost A4 size and the results were impressive and I reckon some of them are comparable to what you would get with a second hand DSLR + Sigma lens..

I think it depends on what you want and how seriously you want to get into the hobby, but for a beginner asking "whether its possible to use these cameras for bird photography" and "are they worth the money" the answer is an emphatic yes....and I think sometimes theres a bit of snobbery towards superzooms on this forum.

Vectisbirder · #10 (**permalink**) 26-01-2011, 12:20 PM

Yes, I suppose there is some snobbery involved but I make no apologies for preferring a DSLR over a compact superzoom (and saying why!

). However, it's all down to personal preferences and some of us prefer DSLRs.
For a beginner or someone who doesn't intend to get too far into photography, a superzoom would do the trick but if you really get into it you might want to upgrade.
That said, I see you have a Panasonic FZ38, which is probably the best of the superzooms and I would admit that, if I was forced to give up my DSLR and lenses and get a superzoom I would get a Panasonic. That or a Canon Powershot S5 IS.