help!what camera.

Hi Littleowl,

My previous digital camera was a 6x zoom and I was very frustrated by not being able to zoom in close enough to birds.  Perhaps it might be worth considering a more powerful zoom otherwise you might spend money on a camera only to find it doesn't do what you want it to.

I didn't want to buy an expensive  DSLR kit so I went for a superzoom, also known as a bridge camera (ie a bridge between compact digital and a DSLR).   I use a Panasonic Lumix FZ28 18x zoom plus I also sometimes use a 1.7x teleconversion lens with it (Olympus TCON17).  I bought it last summer and paid approx £265 for the camera and approx £125 for the adapter ring and teleconversion lens.   It is lightweight to carry around, easy to use and I am very pleased with the results I get.  (Have a look in my gallery).  The latest model of my camera is the FZ38 and retails for around the same price I paid.  Similar bridge cameras are made by Olympus, Nikon, Canon and Sony so I would suggest that you have a look on the internet to see what is available and make comparisons and then have a look in the shops so that you can try before you buy.  Hope this helps. 

Hi Sarum Bat, Thankyou for advice didn't want to pay too much for my first one really,so i will have to shop around ,your photos are very good,but i am just starting out so i thought a small compact one might do more research needed i think.  

Hi Littleowl,

I love your name by the way - I like owls.  Just had a thought.  Maybe you could ask around friends and family and see if any of them have a compact with a 5x zoom and if you or they photograph a robin say at full zoom it will give you some idea of what results you could expect.  My camera is too big to slip in a pocket or handbag but it is smaller than some similar models.  I mainly use it on auto and I just point and shoot.  I don't fuss about with all that technical stuff!  I hope you manage to find wht you are looking for and I look forward to seeing some of your photos.

Best wishes, SB

Hi SB,thanks again for your help,i am busy checking web etc. to see what i can find so many things to consider.

Hi Littleowl!

I have an Olympus SP590 with x26 optical zoom! As with SB, I didn’t want the hassle or expense of an SLR with lenses (had all that with film!). Personally a x5 zoom would be too restrictive for my liking! Even the x26 isn’t enough sometimes!! It isn’t the smallest of cameras (like the tiny compacts) but still fits into my handbag which means that it’s always with me (I’d never be without it!) - some pics in the galleries and forums. My avatar was taken with it (better pic in galleries)

Good luck with your search!

Hi Marjus,

Thanks for info,i will be looking at your pics just as soon as the website picks up again ,i keep on getting timed out.

Hi KatTai,

Thanks for advice,i think i will have to go to a camera shop to take a look.I have been looking at previous posts and i find it useful to read what other people are using.

Hi,

stuff to bear in mind when choosing cameras with zooms.:)

my 10 megapix digi-cam only has a 5x optical zoom so is no good for bird photography on it's own- so I use it to digi-scope.

Theoretically a 600mm telephoto has a magnification of 12x and that is usable but not in the professional class :)

S