Superzoom or Mirrorless


quelle

Member
May 3, 2009
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Singapore - Tampines
Been on hiatus mode for nearly 3 years and I haven't touched my DSLR for a year or so. Used to be lugging my 500D to school almost everyday and shoot any object when I felt like it, go back edit the image and upload but it died down due to busy schedule and such. And of course, the technology that comes along when it's so convenient to just capture an image and upload onto Facebook, Twitter or Instagram instantly.

Due to weight and bulky factors, I'd been using either P&S camera or phone camera to do convenient shots for the recent years but thought that I want more than that. Still not keen to pick up my DSLR again though.

Decided to sell my DSLR away and get a mid-range which is either a superzoom or mirrorless. Been out of the camera world for years and the range of new camera models are too broad and confusing. Just need a breakdown of recommended models before I go into more research. Ideally the brands of Canon, Nikon, Olympus or, Sony or Panasonic and budget of below 800.

Any recommendation?
Also indecisive between a superzoom and mirrorless.
Subject wise will be food and cats.
 

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For your subjects, better image quality will matter more. Skip the superzoom. Get a NEX or an rx100
 

Olympus m43!

But quite restricted by the budget. Prolly can go for older models, or try 2nd hand.
 

The new range of NEX are way over my budget.

My budget is able to get most of the superzoom and some of the micro 4/3. I do not need the newest or highest end of mid-range camera but one that is able to deliver decent and sharp quality.

Been advised against superzoom by many people. Is the quality that bad? One thing that really attracts me is the zoom range which I love to take zoomed in pictures from far. Almost gotten Panasonic FZ28 before I got my Canon 500D 4 years ago. Whereas the downside of micro 4/3 is the shorter zoom range although it can be enhanced by the interchangeable lens, and of course that means more investment.
 

The new range of NEX are way over my budget.

My budget is able to get most of the superzoom and some of the micro 4/3. I do not need the newest or highest end of mid-range camera but one that is able to deliver decent and sharp quality.

Been advised against superzoom by many people. Is the quality that bad? One thing that really attracts me is the zoom range which I love to take zoomed in pictures from far. Almost gotten Panasonic FZ28 before I got my Canon 500D 4 years ago. Whereas the downside of micro 4/3 is the shorter zoom range although it can be enhanced by the interchangeable lens, and of course that means more investment.

Superzoom is not bad if your priority is zoom and not image quality.

Oh, and even the nex f3 dual-lens kit can be bought for under 800 sgd. And you get a full aps-c sized sensor.
 

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Superzoom is not bad if your priority is zoom and not image quality.

Oh, and even the nex f3 dual-lens kit can be bought for under 800 sgd. And you get a full aps-c sized sensor.

I don't expect crisp clear image quality but if the zoomed in quality has high noise level, there is no point. Zooming in while maintaining decent quality is something that small compact cameras and phone cameras cannot do.
 

I don't expect crisp clear image quality but if the zoomed in quality has high noise level, there is no point. Zooming in while maintaining decent quality is something that small compact cameras and phone cameras cannot do.

Agree. That's why I don't recommend a superzoom. You still have a tiny image sensor.
 

Agree. That's why I don't recommend a superzoom. You still have a tiny image sensor.

I'm very attracted by the Panasonic Lumix FZ200 though. It is the only superzoom that has constant f2.8 and I personally tested the old range of Panasonic superzoom, it was not that bad. Have not gone to try this FZ200 and it's considered more expensive than most superzoom but still within my budget. If I decided on a superzoom, likely this is gonna be my choice. Mirrorless wise, still have a long way to research but the popular ones are Olympus Pen and Sony NEX.
 

500D is not a very big camera. It is actually around the same mass and dimensions of a mid-sized so-called "compact" camera (or super zoom), but with the flexibility of interchangeable lens and also a larger sensor.
 

I'm very attracted by the Panasonic Lumix FZ200 though. It is the only superzoom that has constant f2.8 and I personally tested the old range of Panasonic superzoom, it was not that bad. Have not gone to try this FZ200 and it's considered more expensive than most superzoom but still within my budget. If I decided on a superzoom, likely this is gonna be my choice. Mirrorless wise, still have a long way to research but the popular ones are Olympus Pen and Sony NEX.

It's a good lens, but still a tiny sensor.
 

Superzoom is not bad if your priority is zoom and not image quality.

Oh, and even the nex f3 dual-lens kit can be bought for under 800 sgd. And you get a full aps-c sized sensor.


Just my few cents:

+1 for this as well (Suggested Retail Price for the NEX-F3 with SEL16F28 & SEL1855 Lens is at S$ 849.00)

This combo is definitely within your budget of $800 if bought else where, unless you are thinking of getting a telephoto lens like the SEL55210 (55-210mm Zoom Lens) which is rather costly at S$ 599.00.

I have been using my NEX-5N with the dual lens kit after upgrading from a compact camera and has never looked back since then.
 

Rather than step back. Use your 500D.

In picture terms, will be better than any super zoom. Biggest problem I see with superzooms is the heavy post processing. You lose both colour shades and pic details. Your cat whiskers might be lost.

For the money, consider another lens. A used lens will preserve your money if you finally decide to switch system.
 

If you are used to Canon's handling, I think you could be very please with the EOS-M, pretty small and light... and some say it is a baby 650D. Although AF is a bit slow, but if your subject is static, then I believe you wouldn't mind it too much. Although the starting price is not really cheap, but I think you should be able to get a lot of fun out of it.

Also, not to forget that Canon is releasing the 100D which is at the present, the smallest DSLR around... hardly bigger than the EOS-M and you get a great sensor + all the capability of a DSLR (right down to the optical viewfinder) and can use all the lens that you might already own.

For me... although other schools did offer a lot for the bucks, but since I already invested quite a bit in Canon, and is very familiar with Canon's control, I would definitely still fall back on Canon as and when I decided to 'upgrade' or downgrade.

Finally... do have a look at the G1X, it had a bigger sensor than even the RX100 (if that really matters that much). This camera is not exactly small, but as compared to a DSLR, it is consider okay. It's lens is great, its sensor is equally good, and it is the correct size. The only thing is, it's AF is abit on the sluggish side and it's macro capability really sucks.
 

Just my few cents:

+1 for this as well (Suggested Retail Price for the NEX-F3 with SEL16F28 & SEL1855 Lens is at S$ 849.00)

This combo is definitely within your budget of $800 if bought else where, unless you are thinking of getting a telephoto lens like the SEL55210 (55-210mm Zoom Lens) which is rather costly at S$ 599.00.

I have been using my NEX-5N with the dual lens kit after upgrading from a compact camera and has never looked back since then.

Will take into consideration. Thanks.

Rather than step back. Use your 500D.

In picture terms, will be better than any super zoom. Biggest problem I see with superzooms is the heavy post processing. You lose both colour shades and pic details. Your cat whiskers might be lost.

For the money, consider another lens. A used lens will preserve your money if you finally decide to switch system.

I already have a Tamron 17-50 f2/8 lens but it adds on the weight further more. Literally have shoulder ache after a day of shooting.
 

Also, not to forget that Canon is releasing the 100D which is at the present, the smallest DSLR around...

Sorry I disagree.... I feel the a33 is still smaller
 

try shooting with 50 1.8 prime. on a 500D the combo is so light i am almost able to fly
 

How about an older Panasonic GF or Olympus body at about $250 and the Panasonic 14-140 or 45-200 zooms (abt $500 - $600)? When you have extra funds, you can get the 14-42 for about $150 if you choose the 45-200 zoom. This combo will cover the essential focal lengths of 28mm - 280mm/400mm. Together they are much lighter than any DSLR combo with almost as good IQ.
 

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Sorry I disagree.... I feel the a33 is still smaller

No.

Sony SLT A33 dimensions: 124mmx 92mm x 85mm

Canon 100D dimensions: 117mm x 91mm x 69mm

Olympus E420 dimensions: 129.5mm x 91mm x 53mm

Source: Digital Photography Review

In actual fact Canon 100D is smaller in every aspect as compare to A33 and was abit thicker than Olympus E420. Actually Sony's A33 is not that small afterall when compared to the other two cameras.
 

No.

Sony SLT A33 dimensions: 124mmx 92mm x 85mm

Canon 100D dimensions: 117mm x 91mm x 69mm

Olympus E420 dimensions: 129.5mm x 91mm x 53mm

Source: Digital Photography Review

In actual fact Canon 100D is smaller in every aspect as compare to A33 and was abit thicker than Olympus E420. Actually Sony's A33 is not that small afterall when compared to the other two cameras.

Hmmmm interesting. About 1 cm differences in some cases. Not bad


But I didn't look at the oly because I prefer at least aps-c sensors. ;-)
 

I'd go for a Olympus micro 4/3 system. It is intuitive, handy and easy to use. The fact that it is still an inter-changeable system means you have room to grow later.

The Panasonic FZ-200 is a good camera, but it is still limited by its sensor. The Olympus sensor, will showing its age now, is still significantly larger and superior. Micro 4/3 makes the telephoto end of things easier too, with its 2x crop factor over the conventional 35mm system.