We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
Any photography Boffins about?

David_Aston
Posts: 1,160 Forumite

in Techie Stuff
Trying to decide which camera to take on our forthcoming visit to our son and his family in Lima. My boy seems to get very irritated if I am waving a camera in the faces of our granddaugthers for too much of the time, despite the fact that we do only see them once in a blue moon, as the youngsters have worked overseas for the last nine years.
Technically, I suppose a mobile phone is the most discreet means, but there are limits on image quality I guess. So it is down to the Panny Tz7 or the Canon 550d. If the latter, perhaps take just one lens to save on bulk and faffing about.
Now at last, a question for you.
I did assume that using a fast prime on the Slr, a Sigma 30mm 1.4, it would be possible to have enough quality, to crop dramatically and still equal the quality of a zoomed image using the Panny. However, a little test using an action man type figure set up on the far side of the lounge, produced a hugely clearer image on the 24 times zoomed Panasonic compared to the Canon. I pretty much allowed each camera to decide the settings. Was I expecting too much from the slr/lens? Would this sort of test require a full frame large megapixel sensor to equal the compact zoom, or is this test unfair on any fixed lens camera?
I would be grateful for informed opinions please. As things stand it looks like the Panny will be going to Peru!
Technically, I suppose a mobile phone is the most discreet means, but there are limits on image quality I guess. So it is down to the Panny Tz7 or the Canon 550d. If the latter, perhaps take just one lens to save on bulk and faffing about.
Now at last, a question for you.
I did assume that using a fast prime on the Slr, a Sigma 30mm 1.4, it would be possible to have enough quality, to crop dramatically and still equal the quality of a zoomed image using the Panny. However, a little test using an action man type figure set up on the far side of the lounge, produced a hugely clearer image on the 24 times zoomed Panasonic compared to the Canon. I pretty much allowed each camera to decide the settings. Was I expecting too much from the slr/lens? Would this sort of test require a full frame large megapixel sensor to equal the compact zoom, or is this test unfair on any fixed lens camera?
I would be grateful for informed opinions please. As things stand it looks like the Panny will be going to Peru!
0
Comments
-
I don't know either camera but I do use a sigma 30mm on a Nikon camera. If you want to stand back but then crop to get 'close up' photos using the 30mm lens - that would be a big ask of any camera. I would expect the DSLR + 30mm to perform better indoors with no flash than the TZ7 but the zoom would give you many more options, especially if standing off and not trying to get posed shots. A possible downside of the TZ7 may be that children move quickly and if you want sharp photos that means a fast shutter speed, I don't know how wide the lens on the TZ7 goes or how it behaves using higher ISOs. Perhaps some more experiments are called for.0
-
Thanks for the comments photodgm. I suppose my wish to stand back and get good cropped images using the sigma option, shows my lifelong lack of understanding of how it all works!
Overall, the Canon certainly has produced the sharpest and best images I have managed to capture, but the Panasonic can be conveniently carried about, and possibly doesn't irritate my son quite so much!!0 -
If I read the OP right then you have both cameras, then pack the Panny, compact, slips in the pocket and has a decent zoom, pic quality is very good too.
I use both a DSLR and a compact, in situations like this I'd go compact everytime.0 -
The test you describe is not a like for like test if I'm understanding it correctly and will always give the Panasonic better results. The reason is that by cropping instead of zooming you are throwing away image data. Inevitably you will get a worse image. It's basically the same reason as the digital zoom feature on some compacts can't be compared to optical zoom.
My personal opinion is take the Canon with a standard telephoto. Lima is not the sort of place you are going to be easily popping back to. Yes you are going to carry more weight and it's a bigger camera but I would want an SLR with me.
If how you use the camera around family is going to be an issue then be upfront about it and have a conversation with your son about it beforehand.
SB0 -
I'll propose an alternative - a gopro (or similar)! Yes, they're a bit rubbishy compared with a DSLR however they're massively less imposing than DSLR's. You can also let the grandkids play with them, and will get a more intimate memory with them looking down the barrel, playing with it, taking pics of what interests them and of each other.0
-
of course you could invest in a compact that shoots raw and also has zoom or a bridge camera both have advantages of lest kit to carry compare to dslr when travelling for other than pure photography purposes.
Which ever you decide do not forget spare fully charged batteries and formated memory cardsI am responsible me, myself and I alone I am not the keeper others thoughts and words.0 -
David_Aston wrote: »I did assume that using a fast prime on the Slr, a Sigma 30mm 1.4, it would be possible to have enough quality
At 1.4, your going to get an extremely shallow depth of field. That is to say everything except what you point at will be waaaaaay out of focus.
A fast lens produces images where the subject "pop"s out from the background. Your test proved only one thing, that your not ready for a DSLR.“I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”
<><><><><><><><><<><><><><><><><><><><><><> Don't forget to like and subscribe \/ \/ \/0 -
Unless you're prepared to spends hundreds on a single lens that'll cover 24-135mm for the 550D then go for the Panasonic.0
-
Get a 500mm lens and take some photos from where they can't see you!
Personally, we love family shots using a Bluetooth selfie stick..ok, not amazing SLR quality but the actual quality of smiles and poses from children is great when they use it.0 -
What were you using to crop the images? and were you cropping raw or JPG? keep in mind that every time you make a change to a jpeg you run the risk of losing quality. If you are going to be doing any processing to an image I would always recommend using raw. But as has been said already a 30mm prime set at 1.4 isn't the correct lens to use for what you want - but it will be fantastic for portrait shots. Got a 50mm prime that I use for this.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.3K Spending & Discounts
- 240.7K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.6K Life & Family
- 253.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards