How to pick a Digital Camera?

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nzkiwiman

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#160099 23-Dec-2014 14:46

After 6 years of loyal service, my Panasonic Lumix TZ15 (otherwise known as a TZ5) is reporting memory card issues on multiple cards as well as battery issues.
The only thing I know I want in a replacement is the same form factor and minimum of 10x optical zoom.

Have camera's moved on from using FAT32 file system on the memory cards - it was another small issue I had with my current camera, limited movie removing to 2GB blocks (about 8 minutes 720p)

Does anyone know decent review websites?

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#1202696 23-Dec-2014 15:00

Here is a very good review site.

http://www.dpreview.com/

I selected the Lumix FZ200 when I did my last upgrade. Excellent camera and exceeds other similar models in low light.

jarledb

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#1202703 23-Dec-2014 15:12

Probably not in the same budget range, but the Panasonic DMC-LX100 is a camera I would look at if I wanted a new one now: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx100

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timmmay

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#1202704 23-Dec-2014 15:13

Yeah modern cameras can record longer than that. Panasonic Lumix, Canon, and Nikon are all brands worth considering. DPReview is a great site.

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#1202736 23-Dec-2014 15:50

depends on your budget .

whats your budget

nzkiwiman

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#1203059 24-Dec-2014 09:25

Thanks all, I shall have a check on that review site

joker97 - currently $0 since its all gone on Xmas presents. Only 1/2 looking into things at the moment, as it wont be a real issue until I decide on my next overseas location - mobile phone fills in the gap

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#1203111 24-Dec-2014 11:30

basically with cameras the bigger the light sensor the better the picture quality but the more expensive the lenses.

so you can have a 50X optical zoom but for a very very small light sensor.

or a very big light sensor and some come with NO zoom.

pain in the bum :D

then there is the other stuff like functionality, features, ease of use etc etc

jarledb

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#1203172 24-Dec-2014 13:22

But you can get a nice dSLR and a good light sensitive zoom if you want.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/551435-REG/Sigma_597101_200_500mm_f_2_8_EX_DG.html

For instance. Just have to sell your car(s) and mortgage the house a little. :D

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#1203194 24-Dec-2014 13:38

umm you need t hire a container ship it here. I wonder if you need roof rails to transport around.

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#1203196 24-Dec-2014 13:39

TLD

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#1203234 24-Dec-2014 14:07

I work as a commercial photographer and have about $70k worth of kit. If I had to start again right now, I'd go mirrorless rather than DSLR. I also work events, and carry Canon 1DsMK3 with 24-40mm f2.8, and 1DMK4 with 70-200mm f2.8 IS, with an EX580 strobe on both cameras. I carry them on a Black Rapid dual harness. I don't know what that weighs all in, but my back says it is a _lot_ at the end of a long day's shooting.

Mirrorless systems like the Fuji X-T1 have astonishing image quality. The body and lenses are _much_ lighter than Pro DSLR bodies, but as far as I know, have similar functionality.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm-x-t1

https://creativemarket.com/blog/2014/12/17/should-you-drop-your-dslr-and-go-mirrorless

Trevor Dennis
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TLD

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#1203235 24-Dec-2014 14:11

jarledb: But you can get a nice dSLR and a good light sensitive zoom if you want.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/551435-REG/Sigma_597101_200_500mm_f_2_8_EX_DG.html

For instance. Just have to sell your car(s) and mortgage the house a little. :D

Try this for US$32,777

http://petapixel.com/2014/12/21/theres-nikon-2000mm-f11-ebay-complete-lens-cap-carrying-case/

Trevor Dennis
Rapaura (near Blenheim)

nzkiwiman

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#1203238 24-Dec-2014 14:18

After reading a few reviews, I think I have settled on a camera
Canon Powershot SX700HS

vs its nearest rival (the Lumux I was looking at), the significant price difference is more than enough to cancel the Canon's weakness.

Now to find online as I hate shopping in these local electronic stores

Fred99

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#1203260 24-Dec-2014 14:50

TLD: I work as a commercial photographer and have about $70k worth of kit. If I had to start again right now, I'd go mirrorless rather than DSLR. I also work events, and carry Canon 1DsMK3 with 24-40mm f2.8, and 1DMK4 with 70-200mm f2.8 IS, with an EX580 strobe on both cameras. I carry them on a Black Rapid dual harness. I don't know what that weighs all in, but my back says it is a _lot_ at the end of a long day's shooting.

Mirrorless systems like the Fuji X-T1 have astonishing image quality. The body and lenses are _much_ lighter than Pro DSLR bodies, but as far as I know, have similar functionality.

Equivalence...
If there was a lens to suit the half-frame Fuji, with equivalent field of view and depth of field, and the same amount of light captured over the entire frame as the 70-200 F2.8, then it would need to be approx 50-150mm f2, and would weigh much the same as a 70-200 f2.8.
Or to put it another way, if there was a 50-150 f2.8 for the Fuji, then compare weight with the Canon 70-200 f4 IS - which is much smaller/lighter than the f2.8.
Sigma do actually make a 50-150 f 2.8 lens for half-frame format - and it weighs over 1300g - compared to only about 750g for the Canon f4 IS.
Or another way, the fuji 56mm f1.2 is the same "equivalence" as the Canon 85mm f1.8 on full-frame. Both lenses weigh ~400g.

So if you compare systems, compare systems with the same format - or factor "equivalence" into the equation, as things may not be as they first seem.

jarledb

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#1203345 24-Dec-2014 17:42

TLD:
Try this for US$32,777

http://petapixel.com/2014/12/21/theres-nikon-2000mm-f11-ebay-complete-lens-cap-carrying-case/

Now thats a lens and a half :D

3puttssuck

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#1203411 24-Dec-2014 21:19

nzkiwiman: After reading a few reviews, I think I have settled on a camera
Canon Powershot SX700HS

vs its nearest rival (the Lumux I was looking at), the significant price difference is more than enough to cancel the Canon's weakness.

Now to find online as I hate shopping in these local electronic stores

Take a look at www.photo.co.nz

The guys there are fantastic and do free shipping. They know their stuff and are very much Customer Service focused. I have the Sony A6000 with the Ziess 16 to 70mm lens and it is fantastic.

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