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Archive of entries posted on 27th February 2010

Old Camera / New Camera

27 February 2010, 12:10 pm

I wanted to do some comparison pictures between the two cameras (see previous post on the specifics) to see just what the differences are as far as the wide angle and zoom.  I took these pictures off our balcony this morning.  This is in the regular, unzoomed mode.  Old camera (Lumix FZ20 on left) and new camera (Lumix FZ35) on the right.  The new camera has more of a wide-angle lens:

 

Next I took photos zoomed in the full optical distance:  12 x on the left, 18 x on the right:

 

And finally I took a picture with each camera fully zoomed out through the optical and the digital, so 48 x for the old FZ20 on the left and 72 x for the new FZ35 on the right.  It doesn’t make a huge difference in the appearance at the end because the new camera starts out at a wider angle and that uses part of the zoom up (in my non-camera-expert speak).

 

You can see quite a difference in the first set of pictures. I like that wide-angle lens and it would have been nice on our Yellowstone trip. There is less difference in the second set at the maxed-out optical zoom. On the third set, with the digital zoom maxed out, there is a greater difference.

What doesn’t show here is whatever difference the increased megapixels will make (5 to 12.1), because I reduced all the  pictures down to the same pixel count for the internet.  I have noticed before that my old camera doesn’t have the most true color, and I’ve been correcting that with editing after the pictures are on my camera.  It’s apparent in these comparisons that the pictures on the left are too blue.

Well that was fun, for me anyway, and now I guess it’s time to get out there and shoot some pictures!

–Sue

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New Camera

27 February 2010, 12:15 am

I have loved my “old” camera — a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20.  It came out in 2005; I bought mine in 2006.

Taking bird pictures, it seems you’re always wishing for more zoom.  I talked to a couple of serious bird photographers who were toting cameras with gigantic lenses and big, sturdy tripods; they even said they wished for more zoom.  *sigh*

About once a year, I research my dream dslr camera body and dream big lens.  Then I cringe at the cost, and pack that dream back up and stuff it in the back of my head.  This year, I thought to myself (because DH sure doesn’t want to hear this kind of talk), maybe I should just bite the bullet and get what I want.  Picked out my camera body and lens, started reading through the specs, and the lens weighs 8 pounds!!!  I would need to lug a tripod around!!!  I slept on that notion, and decided that wasn’t for me.  I will give up the big long lens in favor of a camera I can actually hang around my neck.  So what did I get? 

I have liked my Panasonic so well, I decided to go with their Lumix FZ35.  18x optical zoom, 4 times digital zoom.  12.1 megapixels.  Lens in the nonzoomed position is more of a wide angle.  Came out in 2009.  It is smaller and lighter than my old camera, which should be a plus for me.  After having three days to play with it, I like it.  I am still figuring things out.  It has more features, and everything isn’t in the same place.  It will take a little time to adjust to it.

So of course I went to the birding center today.  Here is a wide view from the top of the viewing tower:

You would be amazed at how many birds are in the picture — they just aren’t out in the open.  Notice the red circle.  I saw a Roseate Spoonbill drop in there for a landing so I zoomed in:

The spoonbills were cavorting on the other side of the cattails!  Do you think a single one would come on over to MY side of the cattails?  Nooooo… 

But they were joined by a flock of American Avocets (I think that’s what they are, anyway):

These pictures were all taken with my lens pretty much zoomed out.  I am going to try having some 4×6 prints made to see how they look and how much different the increase in megapixels makes.  It was fun to see the spoonbills today!  They have been pretty elusive this year.

And what am I going to do with my FZ20?  DH spoke for it, so it will be fun to go birding together with our his and hers cameras.  Actually, I want to sneak over there by myself with both cameras and do some comparisons with the two cameras.  Maybe this week.  Before the cold returns. 

–Sue

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