Better image with super zoom P&S vs pocket P&S?

[Yzzim]

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on the Canon SX30IS. I like the super zoom, but not sure how much I would actually use it.

Do smaller P&S cameras have just as good of image quality as the super zoom cameras?

My wife would like to have a better pocket sized P&S, while I'm determined to get a super zoom because I assumed it has better image quality.

We're looking at taking and printing mostly 4x6 and maybe some 5x7s.

One thing we're also going to use it for is some videos when we don't have the camcorder around. Does a pocket sized camera take just as good of video as a super zoom?

I assume bigger camera means better picture, is that correct?

 

[iGas]

I vote for the Canon PS S95 because it is small, light, fast, take amazing still & video, and I bought one 2 weeks ago for my Costa Rica trip in a few days.

Canon PowerShot S95, time lapse miniature mode movie

Not too shaby for a tiny point & shoot.

 

[yhelothar]

nice pics...
inb4omgresizenerdrage

 

[metalmania]

Super zoom is not good enough to compare with a DSLR 18-250 zoom lens. So either get a small size P&S or get a DSLR.

 

[sixone]

Bigger cam does not mean better IQ.

I also vote for the S95, unless you think you need the longer zoom on the SX30. Be sure to add the CHDK hack, for additional features and image manipulation.

 

[Munky]

Bigger zoom often means worse image quality, because a lens with a huge zoom range often has to compromise sharpness, distortion, or other optical qualities. There's no free lunch. And the S95 has a bigger image sensor, which further improves the image quality.

 

[Yzzim]

A lot of our images will be indoors. I've read here that the Panasonic LX5 is better than the s95? We are looking to do movies as well, and I think the LX5 has more movie options?

 

[jaydee]

If you bought and returned a Sony A330 DSLR because it was too large, I don't think you want to consider a Canon SX30IS.

I have a Canon SX200IS and really like it. Good compromise with 12x zoom, but in a fairly compact package.

 

[iGas]

A lot of our images will be indoors. I've read here that the Panasonic LX5 is better than the s95? We are looking to do movies as well, and I think the LX5 has more movie options?

Both cameras are very close to each others.

The LX5 have wider lens 24mm vs. Canon 28mm. And LX5 have a view finder & hot shoes.

S95 have vivid mode (high colour saturation) which is awesome for outdoor & night shots (colour saturation is the ultimate quest for photographer, main advantage of medium & large format over 35mm).

S95 have miniature mode for video (fake tilt-shift lens combine with time lapse), which is a neat feature.

S95 have better auto focus tracking which is a bonus for video.

S95 is smaller and lighter.

You can't go wrong with anyone of this camera. The LX5 would be a better camera for indoor shots and landscape because it have wider lens. S95 is better for the colour punch when shooting flowers and nature, and it have better auto focus tracking for video.

 

[Throckmorton]

Get a small camera with the big zoom.

 

[Rottie]

oh I thought bigger camera with super zoom is better than compact camera OK then I should return my Canon Powershot S3 IS back for refund?

 

[corkyg]

Welcome back, Rottie!

My opinion is that it really depends on the mission. I have a Canon EOS 5D and a big assortment of lenses - mostly "L." I also have the little SX30-IS. One of my missions is to capture musicians while performing at certain jazz festivals. I have done it with the 5D and the 200mm f/2.8 L IS lens. It is good. But this time I opted to use the little SX30 IS. The results were every bit as good as the 5D pics from earlier years. This pics will be used in future programs, etc. With the SX30 IS, I was able to get the imnages from outside of the audience area using the big zoom. It worked for me. Here are a couple of samples - first, trombonist Jim Freyer of the "Titan Hot Seven."

And Tom Rigney, a jazz/zydeco fiddlerknown as "Rigo" with his band,
"Flambeau." Tom is the son of former SF Giants manager Bill Rigney.

Shots like these can't be posed or manually constructed - I use P mode with Auto ISO and take dozens of shots to get a couple of good ones. This is where digital shines

 

[Rottie]

Corky thanks for welcome and I always wanted to get my hands on SX30 IS I know it is a major step from PowerShot A610 to digital camera with super zoom!! Your pictures are very impressive...The reason I bought S3 IS is to get the idea what is like between my old camera and S3 IS....this is for modeling purpose.

 

[CptObvious]

I had the Canon SX200IS and sold it to get the S95. Even though the S95's lens looks tiny compared to the SX200IS, the picture quality was much better on the S95, due to the bigger, better sensor and wider aperture (f/2 vs. f/3.4).

 

[Rottie]

I see....Okay....

 

[Emulex]

i just use the 16mm on the nex-3 - use your feet for zoom. or use the aps-c sensor to zoom. or wait for the nex-9 with full size sensor in same package. the nex-10 is the hd camcorder that uses the same silent zoom lenses (18-55/18-200m or fixed 16mm)