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Bird photography and video with the Canon SX30 and Panasonic Lumix FZ100 cameras

17 Dec

With the 834mm 35mm equivalent focal length of the canon sx30 would this camera be a worthwhile addition to the bird photographer rather than a dslr, long (aka expensive) telephoto lens and the need for a monopod/tripod. This demo video shows some of the issues with the canon sx30 when used for this purpose. The fz100 can’t match the optical zoom of the canon and even with cropping the image is no where near as good as the canon image. for this purpose of long lens photography the Fz100 has to be dismissed. The only question remaining is the shortfalls I point out within this video. If it’s just stills your after then this might fit your needs and for simple video again the results are pretty good for most users, although you need to be aware of all the issues when deciding. I wish the FZ100 had better zoom as the camera features are excellent with total control in manual mode, maybe an additional teleconvertor may give enough resolution? Filmed at heaton Park in Manchester, edited with canopus edius 5 and rendered as WMV file.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

For more, like fb.com and SUBSCRIBE! Buy the book with 3 HOURS of video: amzn.to .49 eBook or .99 paperback: bit.ly OR, get the video eBook in your Kindle, iBooks, Google Play, or Nook stores. All versions include 3 hours of video, free lifetime updates, and free support. Questions? Add a comment and I’ll reply. My camera gear: * Best beginner camera: amzn.to * Canon 5D Mark II: amzn.to * Canon 5D Mark III: amzn.to * Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS: amzn.to * Canon 70-200 f/2.8 L IS MkII: amzn.to * Canon 500mm f/4 L IS: amzn.to * Sigma 150mm macro: amzn.to * Rokinon fisheye: amzn.to * YongNuo 568EX Flash: amzn.to Book links: * Paperback (Amazon): amzn.to * Paperback (discounted): amzn.to * iPad (recommended): bit.ly (“Tony Northrup” in iBooks) * Windows PCs: amzn.to (install amzn.to * Macs: amzn.to (install amzn.to * iPhone: bit.ly (“Tony Northrup” in iBooks) * iPod: bit.ly (“Tony Northrup” in iBooks) * Kindle: amzn.to * Android: amzn.to (install Kindle app) * Android: goo.gl (using Google Play) * BlackBerry: amzn.to (install Kindle app) * Windows Phone: amzn.to (install Kindle app) * Nook: bit.ly This video was recorded live in Berlin, Germany, and shows how to create High Dynamic Range (HDR) photos in Photomatix Pro and how to stitch photos together into a panorama using Microsoft ICE.

 
38 Comments

Posted in Photography Videos

 

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  1. Graham Houghton

    December 17, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    Hi, thanks for the feedback. For general pictures it really depends where you want to view these as prints or screen shows etc. For prints the A4 from max 16m file is OK but if you are a “pixel peeper” you may see some slight jpeg artifacts and macro blockiness. On screen you really don’t notice anything. For prints I would shoot raw+jpeg mode. Preview the jpeg then process the raw using less sharpening and you can get better images. The FZ150 is a better bet now with lower pixels

     

  2. gobbisharon

    December 17, 2012 at 10:56 pm

    Excellent video, thanks for taking the time do it. Fz looks much better for video, but any views on “regular” photos?

     

  3. Graham Houghton

    December 17, 2012 at 11:17 pm

    Thanks for viewing, yes this is one of the cmos v ccd issues. CMOS gives higher readouts so we can get 1080p and faster still burst rate but IQ is higher on the CCD but it suffers in other areas like the overloading of the photosites and resulting smearing.

     

  4. Iamtubuler

    December 18, 2012 at 12:08 am

    Thank You for taking the time to do this and let the photos do the talking! I ordered the SX30

     

  5. pramathsb

    December 18, 2012 at 12:55 am

    CMOS vs CCD 🙂
    Can you plz tell me the pro’s n con’s of each?
    And which according to you is the best in these two Bridgies 😀
    BTW nice video!!

     

  6. Graham Houghton

    December 18, 2012 at 1:20 am

    both cameras on auto focus

     

  7. 1wun

    December 18, 2012 at 1:35 am

    you did not state whether the Canon SX30 was on manual or auto for focus

     

  8. ConFuzRv

    December 18, 2012 at 1:58 am

    Watched this on my Apple TV, Amazing Quality =)

     

  9. uingst7558

    December 18, 2012 at 2:29 am

    ok thanks il wait for review thanks

     

  10. Graham Houghton

    December 18, 2012 at 3:07 am

    I purchased one from a ebay store in China but it hasn’t arrived yet – the seller says its Xmas backlog at customs which is causing problems. Oncve i get it i will do a review.

    here is the item
    LED-5004 LED camera video light f DV camcorder Lamp UN
    sold by fotocola

     

  11. uingst7558

    December 18, 2012 at 3:59 am

    i am interested in buying a video light which one did u buy? if u dont mind me asking

     

  12. Graham Houghton

    December 18, 2012 at 4:25 am

    Yes overall the FZ100 is a better option for general photography. The lens aberrations just make the wide angle pictures lack lustre and without full manual control it is just really a high power point and shoot! Thanks for noting the 100 anniversary. Graham

     

  13. swanty32e

    December 18, 2012 at 4:39 am

    I am very satisfied with my FZ100, I don`t need more zoom, it`s more than enough for my use! I don`t use my camera to record birds etc. but concerts, snow removals and thunderstorms! And congrats with passing 100 videos…

     

  14. Graham Houghton

    December 18, 2012 at 5:14 am

    thanks for this feedback. I kinda wanted clarification for myself. Yes I think you are probably right the FZ100 has ticks in more boxes than the SX30 for general photography and video even though it is let down by low light, however I have just bought a LED video light to take care of this. thanks again. graham

     

  15. OrlandoLuxuryHomes

    December 18, 2012 at 6:09 am

    Bravo for the best video on Youtube comparing these two cameras. I consider this to be more of a “real world” type of video comparison. In the real world, consumers are videoing kids, dogs, birds in motion, airplanes, boats etc., not the typical zooming in on buildings, so thanks very much for taking the time to do this. After studying the heck out of these two cameras, I now think that in the “real world”, the Panasonic would be the best all around camera.

     

  16. Graham Houghton

    December 18, 2012 at 6:39 am

    thanks hadn’t realised myself. The next milestone is 200K views – that should be soon. Graham

     

  17. N0Limbo

    December 18, 2012 at 7:08 am

    I forgot:
    Congratulations to your 100 th. video-upload!!

     

  18. Graham Houghton

    December 18, 2012 at 7:40 am

    Thank you kindly for your comments, one of the cameras must go but I’m torn between them. Each has good and bad points. I am seriously looking now at the 550D having seen your initial video. Graham

     

  19. N0Limbo

    December 18, 2012 at 8:35 am

    Hello Graham,
    with your excellent Testfootage not only in this video its possible to decide wisely between this two contrahents. Happy may be the one who owns both of them!
    You are the one expert here on Youtube, who produces the most usefull videos concerning cameras and camera-praxis.
    Thank you for that!

     

  20. MrJungHee

    December 18, 2012 at 8:52 am

    He meant ISO. =)

     

  21. Brandon Ayers

    December 18, 2012 at 9:26 am

    What is this EESO setting you speak of? =)

     

  22. atam1988

    December 18, 2012 at 9:32 am

    you’re really great…and thanks to you and your wife Chelsea inc. Erkki for the INSIGHTS-Asther’s Through The LENS.

    Visit my page here…videos. 🙂

     

  23. PuertoRicanVideo

    December 18, 2012 at 9:43 am

    I love IS too and Canon is making it hard on us with no IS in the 24-70mm. I have to disagree with “the IS will only help with event photography if people are holding still.” if they move fine, but people on stage tend to move, pose, move, pose. And, you may want to let them blur. But a blurry stage/background will probably not help the image.

    For me the 24-105mm and a 50mm f1.4 fill the gap. But yes, I wish the 2.8 AND IS of the 70-200 were available in the 24-70, or 24-105.

     

  24. heydanca

    December 18, 2012 at 10:18 am

    More tony more!

     

  25. MrTrueNord

    December 18, 2012 at 10:53 am

    New video?

     

  26. Tony Northrup

    December 18, 2012 at 11:52 am

    Glad you bring this up, because I love IS and I’ve been waiting for a good 24-70 with IS. I decided against the Tamron because of the really weird bokeh, so I’m still using my Canon 24-105 f/4 (but I really want to be at f/2.8).

    Well, the IS will only help with event photography if people are holding still. I’d probably grab a 24-70 f/2.8 so I could shoot wide open if needed, keeping my shutter speed fast and blurring the background a bit more.

    But, I haven’t tested them in the field either.

     

  27. chrisah1

    December 18, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    Just a quick hijack, but in the same vein. If doing event photography In a tighter surrounding (requiring a 24-70FF let’s say), how much does VC/VR/IS add to the mix? In my instance it would be 24-70L versus the new Tamron with VC? I think the canon looks better and is optically more even across the diameter and zoom range, but would IS/VC give more usable sharp shots and overcome optical deficiencies? (I haven’t been able to test them both in the field yet). thanks

     

  28. Tony Northrup

    December 18, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    Lens is the most important here. You definitely need a 70-200 f/2.8 to get the background blur you need for weddings. Check ebay for used deals, but you can get a new Tamron for $770 on Amazon. You also need a bounce flash with ETTL, like the Canon 430 EX II, which is about $280 new (but find a used one on ebay or on off-brand flash that supports ettl). That leaves you about $900 for a camera kit, plus your savings from buying used. Get a 60D or T3i kit used. Let me know how it goes!

     

  29. DigitalExtinction

    December 18, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    I do wedding photography and Family portraits and pageant photography and budget 1500-2000
    

     

  30. Tony Northrup

    December 18, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Sure thing!

     

  31. danniornsmarason

    December 18, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    and thanks for telling me about microsoft ice! its awesome and i have always been looking for a program to do panorama but didnt find any that is simple

     

  32. danniornsmarason

    December 18, 2012 at 3:12 pm

    I realy like that you are a pro photgrapher that answers these question on your videos, there are not many people who do that and that is why you have my sub (and becouse of many other things) 😀

     

  33. Tony Northrup

    December 18, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    Depends what type of photography you’re doing and what exactly your budget is. Pro lenses don’t lose much value; you can sell them years later, so they’re a better investment. It doesn’t make much sense to have a full-frame pro lens on a consumer body with a crop factor, though. You’d be lugging around expensive glass that you weren’t using.

    So, neither, I guess :). But let me know what you’re trying to do and what your budget is and I can recommend some gear.

     

  34. MrBlofeld007

    December 18, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    Great video as always.

     

  35. DigitalExtinction

    December 18, 2012 at 5:52 pm

    Would you recommend a “Pro Dslr” with cheap lenses or “Pro Lenses” with a cheap dslr

     

  36. Tony Northrup

    December 18, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    Of course, I keep no secrets :). That’s an underwater portrait, which is covered in Chapter 13.

     

  37. ClankyRochet

    December 18, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    I really like the cover photo of your book. Does your book show how to do that.

     

  38. Tony Northrup

    December 18, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    Thanks! We loved Germany.