Bob_Skurka
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2003
- Messages
- 7,503
hunterridgefarm . . .
When you look at all these cameras, realize that things go a lot deeper than optical zoom. A 10x or 12x optical zoom is great, but only if it comes with a 'fast' lens, and those cost more than 'slow' lenses.
The 'speed' of the lens I am referring to is the maximum aperature at any given focal length. The wider the aperature, generally the better/faster the lens. The importance of this is directly related to low light conditions. The more light the digital sensors get through the lens, the better. It allows you to shoot at faster shutter speeds to 'stop action' at your kids sporting events. It also allows you to get better low light images indoors.
As I am looking at cameras now just like you are, and as I just recently have been researching all this stuff, I settled on the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ7 as the best for my needs (your needs may be different). Plenty of other good choices exist. But consider your lens! What is the aperature at the lowest zoom setting? What is the aperature at the highest zoom setting? For normal uses, that is actually a very important feature that most people do not understand and most people overlook.
When you look at all these cameras, realize that things go a lot deeper than optical zoom. A 10x or 12x optical zoom is great, but only if it comes with a 'fast' lens, and those cost more than 'slow' lenses.
The 'speed' of the lens I am referring to is the maximum aperature at any given focal length. The wider the aperature, generally the better/faster the lens. The importance of this is directly related to low light conditions. The more light the digital sensors get through the lens, the better. It allows you to shoot at faster shutter speeds to 'stop action' at your kids sporting events. It also allows you to get better low light images indoors.
As I am looking at cameras now just like you are, and as I just recently have been researching all this stuff, I settled on the Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ7 as the best for my needs (your needs may be different). Plenty of other good choices exist. But consider your lens! What is the aperature at the lowest zoom setting? What is the aperature at the highest zoom setting? For normal uses, that is actually a very important feature that most people do not understand and most people overlook.