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Engineer73

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Jeff
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I hope this is the best place to ask this question

I'm an aspiring bird photographer with several years experience of general photography. I'm being told by some of my friends that the Panasonic FZ 200 24X zoom with constant f/2.8 would be good. Others say just add an Olympus ED75-300mm zoom f/4-6.7 to my Olympus micro 4/3 OMD EM5 and this would produce good results

Any advice please?
 
I can see the potential interest in the panasonic with the fast zoom, but I reckon you'd be disapointed with the end results. The major problem that I would envisage would be the shutter lag, which wold potentially be pretty disasterous, and just about unusable for birds in flight.

The Olympus is known to give good results IQ wise, and with that lens you will again get an effective 600mm, albeit with a much slower aperture.

I take it you already have this gear, as to be perfectly frank, both are capable of getting reasonable results but not many people would have them as first choice.
 
Mike

Thanks for the reply. I already have the Olympus body which is why one of my friends advised just add an Olympus lens. The Panasonic would be a new purchase so I'm trying to decide which alternative is best.

I realize that specialist bird photographers probably go with canikon and a big lens but that is not possible for me. They are just too heavy to carry around.

Is the issue flying birds or are the results likely to be disappointing with perched birds too with either of these alternatives?

Jeff
 
Personally I'd go with the faster lens for lower ISO/higher SS's. Shutter lag is a problem with moving subjects, so not as big of a deal for perched birds. Focusing is also a potential problem with moving subjects if the camera uses contrast detection.
 
Steven

Thanks for taking the time to reply. It seems as if it's a balance between the bigger f number Panasonic making it easier to focus and use shorter SS and the bigger and better sensor in the Olympus but the lens available produces the opposite focus and SS effect

I think both cameras use contrast detection

Thanks

Jeff
 
Jeff,

The simple answer is that without field testing the cameras ourselves, we can only offer an idea based on the spec sheet. There is no definitve answer, as where I prefer the larger sensor and quicker focussing and responsiveness on the olympus, Steven has seen the bonus of having a fast lens. There are pros and cons each way, which ultimately you'll have to decide upon.
 
Mike, Steven

Thanks to both of you for your help.

I will endeavour to road test these cameras and base my decision on actual experience.

Best wishes

Jeff
 
FWIW, I had assumed the sensors were reasonably similar in spec...not being particularly familiar w/ a FZ.
If you're looking at a 1 stop slower sensor w/ a 1 stop faster lens, then that part is a wash... 24x is what? 1200mm? Focal length is nice w/ little birds...not as nice as getting close, but often a lot more realistic....

I use a 400 f/2.8 on a D4...and I'll usually add TC's before I switch to the D800 in DX mode...small pixels suck. It sounds to me like you are looking at a tradeoff of evils... If I had to choose, I'd probably choose the better sensor if there's a chance of a lens upgrade at a later date. Either way, you're going to be pretty limited to good (bright) light situations with the options you are suggesting at the moment (at least that's how it sounds to me). Without personal experience w/ either, I'd have to say go with the cheaper option....
 
Alot of birders are using the Canon SX50 as a lightweight walkaround camera, many have top end kit but from a mobility erspective this suits their needs.
 
Steve

Good point on the lens upgrade. Something is likely to come from Olympus eventually as they seem to be fully committed to micro 4/3.

Jeff
 
Brian

Thanks for the suggestion. However I already have the Olympus body so I can't see myself starting another investment chain in Canon bodies and lenses.

Jeff
 
I can't speak for this particular Panasonic, but my first (and only) bridge camera was an FZ something, and although the quality of the Leica lens was extremely good, as Mike from Manchester said the shutter lag was terrible, the first bird photo I tried with it, just a Blackbird on the garden, was blank, by the time the shutter fired the bird had walked out of the frame. I'm sure however that Panasonic have improved that particular issue by now, but it was that problem alone which sent me back to SLR's.
 
Engineer73 said:
Brian

Thanks for the suggestion. However I already have the Olympus body so I can't see myself starting another investment chain in Canon bodies and lenses.

Jeff
Click to expand...

The Canon SX50 is not a separate body and lens but a standalone camera so no investment chain there.

Have you thought about a Sony RX100 too? Brilliant and versatile camera which is on my wish list.

The FZ is really a non starter for birds as I know from bitter experience (and frustration!)
 
Cuddy said:
Alot of birders are using the Canon SX50 as a lightweight walkaround camera, many have top end kit but from a mobility erspective this suits their needs.
Click to expand...

I use the SX50 HS. A remarkable all round camera.

I've captured reasonable pictures of birds in flight with higher ISO/SS depending on light. The main advantage is the focal length being able to get in close on the subject without disturbing it. NR is quite good up to 400 ISO, even at 800 ISO it can be worked in PP. Highly recommended for all round photography but I'm reluctant to use the built in flash. Have not yet progressed to separate flash though I am half heartedly looking into that. This week I have started looking into full frame dslr for action photography but to replace the SX50 it will be an expensive transition. The FZ has better aperture for the entire focal range but after researching all the superzooms the SX50 won out. I have not regretted it. You can acquire 1 for less than £300 new today. I have seen them sub £150 on the used market.
 
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