The holiday season is a popular time to buy a new camera. Do you really need a digital single lens reflex camera?
Consumer Reports (CR) is not a photography specialist organization. They are however a valuable source of worthwhile recommendations for everything from cars to washing machines to cameras. They have been testing cameras for decades.
Their 2019 Buying Guide offers this wise advise.
“If you don’t intend to change the lens on your camera, consider an advanced point-and-shoot, which has a fixed lens. Some models have large image sensors with excellent optics and lot of features.”
My old Panasonic DMC-FZ200 is a camera that does not have interchangeable lens option. It does have a fixed zoom lens that is adjustable from 25 millimeters to 600 millimeters. The camera was Panasonic’s most expensive “bridge” unit in 2012 and provides all the features of SLRs. The camera weighs 588 grams (1.3 pounds). The camera provides all modes and sport speed options. A remarkable feature is f2.8 aperture at all speeds.
• Program
• Aperture priority
• Shutter priority
• Manual
12 FPS for sports photography and a variety of scene options including panorama that provides great photo from the Empire State Building or views from a cruise ship.
In addition I do not have to carry a bag holding additional lenses.
The latest version is the FZ1000’s with a 1″-type sensor that is around 4 times larger than those featured in most conventional superzooms, which allows for better high image quality and low light photography. The camera weighs 1.83 pounds (831 grams)
There are at least three options to the FZ1000. Sony’s Cyber-shot DSC-RX10, Nikon P1000, Canon SX70.
The last teacher I had on photography, offering a class at a community college this year, contends that high price cameras do not result in better photos. The adjustments to your camera (aperture, shutter speed, and focus is what makes the difference in those award winning shots. I agree with her.
Coast Contact 