[ampere]

Originally Posted by samdarshi.pali

Canon has announced the PowerShot SX30 IS superzoom digital compact, successor to the the SX20 IS.

Canon introduces PowerShot SX30IS superzoom: Digital Photography Review

Thanks for that pointer. Just went through the SPECs.
The sensor is a CCD and not CMOS as against FZ100.

[samdarshi.pali]

Originally Posted by ampere

Thanks for that pointer. Just went through the SPECs.
The sensor is a CCD and not CMOS as against FZ100.

True. Major improvements are in terms of zoom & battery.

[navin]

Originally Posted by ampere

Thanks. I am not in a hurry. Still on with my home work, So definitely can wait.
Will do so more checkout.

Please note that lenses that have a 20x or 30x zoom will have compromises in IQ that a 10x or 15x lens (such as that on the Panny FZ35/38) wont have. To get 30x zoom you have to have many many elements (or elements with very high focus) and each element robs the sensor of some light and/or adds distortion. The loss is componded as the elements increase.

Given that the SX30 has only 1 aspherical element in the lens I'd like to see what the pin cushion and barrel distortion looks like.

Besides the sensor is still a 1/2.5" or there abouts. A 20x lens on a 1/1.6" sensor would have been a nicer "upgrade" to the SX20.

It looks like after the mega-pixel wars we are going to have the mega-zoom wars

[vivekiny2k]

Originally Posted by navin

Please note that lenses that have a 20x or 30x zoom will have compromises in IQ that a 10x or 15x lens (such as that on the Panny FZ35/38) wont have. To get 30x zoom you have to have many many elements (or elements with very high focus) and each element robs the sensor of some light and/or adds distortion. The loss is componded as the elements increase.

It's always a trade-off. From my experience, this problem occurs in probably 10-20% of shots, and can usually be improved in post processing to some extent. most of my shots taken in daylight benefit from the long zoom range and rarely show a defect.

The other thing is the shake a long zoom can create, the trick is not to get carried away and stick to realistic length depending upon the situation. 720mm in HS10 is useless unless I can use high shutter speed or have a tripod.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by navin

Please note that lenses that have a 20x or 30x zoom will have compromises in IQ that a 10x or 15x lens (such as that on the Panny FZ35/38) wont have. To get 30x zoom you have to have many many elements (or elements with very high focus) and each element robs the sensor of some light and/or adds distortion. The loss is componded as the elements increase.

Given that the SX30 has only 1 aspherical element in the lens I'd like to see what the pin cushion and barrel distortion looks like.

Besides the sensor is still a 1/2.5" or there abouts. A 20x lens on a 1/1.6" sensor would have been a nicer "upgrade" to the SX20.

It looks like after the mega-pixel wars we are going to have the mega-zoom wars

Given your analysis I still cannot see which one to choose, given an FZ100 or or the SX30?

Till now I had almost decided on FZ100 and I was also aware the Canon upgrade will come. So now how do we decide?

[samdarshi.pali]

Originally Posted by ampere

Given your analysis I still cannot see which one to choose, given an FZ100 or or the SX30?

Till now I had almost decided on FZ100 and I was also aware the Canon upgrade will come. So now how do we decide?

I'm in the same situation. Recently I have sold my Nikon D40 SLR and looking for a high end P&S. I had short-listed Panasonic FZ35/38, Nikon P100 & Fujifilm HS10. Now we have Panasonic FZ100 & Canon SX30 also available as options.

Recently, Nikon reduced its camera prices and P100 is available for Rs.19,500/- in Mumbai. This is the lowest cost for super zoom (25x+) P&S. FZ100 & SX30 availability & Indian prices are still unknown.

I'm strongly inclined towards P100 but will wait for few days to hear about FZ100 & SX30 prices.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by samdarshi.pali

I'm in the same situation. Recently I have sold my Nikon D40 SLR and looking for a high end P&S. I had short-listed Panasonic FZ35/38, Nikon P100 & Fujifilm HS10. Now we have Panasonic FZ100 & Canon SX30 also available as options.

Recently, Nikon reduced its camera prices and P100 is available for Rs.19,500/- in Mumbai. This is the lowest cost for super zoom (25x+) P&S. FZ100 & SX30 availability & Indian prices are still unknown.

I'm strongly inclined towards P100 but will wait for few days to hear about FZ100 & SX30 prices.

OK, Now I was unaware of Nikon super-zooms.
Let me do some homework on the Nikon Super Zooms.

Here is the old comparison on DP Review:
'Super Zoom' Camera Group Test (Q2 2010) Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

I hope they update this with new models.

[navin]

Originally Posted by samdarshi.pali

I had short-listed Panasonic FZ35/38, Nikon P100 & Fujifilm HS10. Now we have Panasonic FZ100 & Canon SX30 also available as options.

I have not used the P100, FZ100 or SX30 but the FZ35 produced better images than the HS10 especially when shooting kids in low light (indoor birthday party). BTW talking about 25x zooms thre is also a Oly SP800 that is available confused?

None of these P&S camera however comapre to a DSLR (EVIL/APS-C etc..) + 10x lens combo (for example a Canon 550D mated to a 18-200) when it comes to response and feel and the ability to "capture the moment" especially when you are dealing with fast moving subjects in diffcult lighting conditons.

Originally Posted by ampere

Here is the old comparison on DP Review:I hope they update this with new models.

I wont expect an update till mid 2011 but I am sure that DPR will compare the SX30 to the HS10 and FZ100 when they review the camera.

[samdarshi.pali]

Originally Posted by navin

BTW talking about 25x zooms thre is also a Oly SP800 that is available confused?

Navin, I can imagine smile on your face when you were writing this to add confusion.

Originally Posted by navin

None of these P&S camera however comapre to a DSLR (EVIL/APS-C etc..) + 10x lens combo (for example a Canon 550D mated to a 18-200) when it comes to response and feel and the ability to "capture the moment" especially when you are dealing with fast moving subjects in diffcult lighting conditons.

Agreed. I was using D40 & know DSLR image quality are far better than any P&S irrespective of zoom/MP.

Originally Posted by navin

I wont expect an update till mid 2011 but I am sure that DPR will compare the SX30 to the HS10 and FZ100 when they review the camera.

I have an Excel file for super zoom with recently added details of SX30 & FZ100. Attaching the same with hope that it may be helpful for some people.

[tsk1979]

There are some things which can take photos, and are designed with care.
Then there are some other things which can also take photos, and are designed without sense.
They are called "Kludge".
The Oly SP800 is one such kludge. Stay away. I was horribly disappointed with that thing.
For example if you want to zoom while shooting video, you have to record video without sound.
What a wonderful HD recording feature!

[navin]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

They are called "Kludge".
The Oly SP800 is one such kludge. Stay away. I was horribly disappointed with that thing.

I was joking. Just adding fuel to the confusion.

[deepakchiniwal]

Hello Folks,

One more confused buyer here

I am looking to buy a Nikon D3100 or Sony NEX 5/3.

Can someone suggest which one to be picked.

Thanks and Regards,
Deepak

[gopinathann]

Originally Posted by ampere

Given your analysis I still cannot see which one to choose, given an FZ100 or or the SX30?

Till now I had almost decided on FZ100 and I was also aware the Canon upgrade will come. So now how do we decide?

I have narrowed down to Panasonic FZ35/FZ100 after comparing with Olympus, Fuji, Nikon, Canon. Got a quote of Rs. 16K for FZ35, No price details for FZ100, in panasonic.co.in website I could see FZ40 & FZ100 not sure whether it is released yet, however seen somewhere that the expected price of FZ100 will be around 24K. Please update the price for FZ100 and release date in India, if anyone knows.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by gopinathann

I have narrowed down to Panasonic FZ35/FZ100 after comparing with Olympus, Fuji, Nikon, Canon. Got a quote of Rs. 16K for FZ35, No price details for FZ100, in panasonic.co.in website I could see FZ40 & FZ100 not sure whether it is released yet, however seen somewhere that the expected price of FZ100 will be around 24K. Please update the price for FZ100 and release date in India, if anyone knows.

It will take time for FZ100 to arrive in India. Amazon has price quotes. By the way, I have shifted my pursuit to DSLR!
Did you compare the recently announced Canon SX 30IS?

I called up Panasonic brand shop and realized that the sales guys have absolutely no idea. The guys suggested me some thing else saying FZ100 is a discontinued product!

My take is you should decide between FZ100 and SX 30IS. TSK mentioned to me that Panasonic will also capture RAW image which Canon wont.
So if you are a major post-processing/Photoshop person, you should choose Panasonic and not Canon. Else the choice is open.

Now if you have to purchase it in India only then go for FZ35. The FZ100 I think will take quite some to come to India and so will SX 30IS.
If you plan to get from US, again then choice is open!

PS: The world so many permutations and combinations!

[gopinathann]

I checked with Panasonic showroom, they told that it might come for Diwali. I can go with FZ35, but one of the advantage which FZ100 was that it has external mic option. I used to capture videos from the TV, but my Sony Camcorder SX44E doesn't have the MIC as input so audio is capture with background sounds. This feature is available in FZ100 and it has FULL HD. I am ok to spend some extra money to get 1080p rather than 720p. As per your suggestion I will also check for Canon SX30 IS. If possible I will try to get it from US, only worry is the warranty coverage.

Originally Posted by ampere

It will take time for FZ100 to arrive in India. Amazon has price quotes. By the way, I have shifted my pursuit to DSLR!
Did you compare the recently announced Canon SX 30IS?

I called up Panasonic brand shop and realized that the sales guys have absolutely no idea. The guys suggested me some thing else saying FZ100 is a discontinued product!

My take is you should decide between FZ100 and SX 30IS. TSK mentioned to me that Panasonic will also capture RAW image which Canon wont.
So if you are a major post-processing/Photoshop person, you should choose Panasonic and not Canon. Else the choice is open.

Now if you have to purchase it in India only then go for FZ35. The FZ100 I think will take quite some to come to India and so will SX 30IS.
If you plan to get from US, again then choice is open!

PS: The world so many permutations and combinations!