Monday, November 19, 2012

Superzooms


[Published: In Times Life on 18.11.12 of Times of India by Javed Anwer]
 
IF you’ve outgrown your standard point-and-shoot, but are still uncomfortable with the manual controls in a DSLR, then you might want to consider superzooms. Regardless of what you want to capture, whether candid moments at a birthday party, split-second action photos of your kid on a football pitch, or even the scenic vistas of Manali, these shooters can handle it all...




Sony HX200V

We discovered the HX200V to be a solid performer, equipped with a range of pre-set filters, as well as the capability to shoot 3D photos and panoramas. And it is fast, acquiring focus in a snap and allowing us to shoot multiple pictures without any discernable lag.

Overall, it is a well-rounded package that appeals to users who value image quality and the versatility that comes from having the ease of a point-andshoot combined with the flexibility of manual controls.

What we like
  • The camera has excellent build quality. Though it is all plastic, the construction feels solid. Also, a rather large DSLR-like righthand grip helps the user keep the camera steady while clicking pictures.
  • Very good image quality in all shooting conditions: Colours look bright and vibrant, and details look sharp and clear. Features like panorama mode and HDR work well.
  • You can zoom in and out while shooting movies, and subjects remain in sharp focus. The camera records audio in stereo sound. Usually, the mechanical zooming in and out of the lens introduces audio disturbances in videos. But on the HX200V, the interference was barely audible.

What we don’t like 
  • The HX200V has a problem while focussing on subjects closer than three metres if you are using maxed-out zoom. Not exactly recommended for macro photography.
  • While the camera offers 30x zoom, we would have liked to see some more at this price point.

 
Nikon P510
 
When it comes to optical magnification, the P510 is king with its whopping 42x zoom. In comparison, most entry-level DSLRs, when paired with a standard telephoto lens, have a zoom that ranges between 15x and 18x. Besides, this shooter boasts of performance that matches its specs.

That said, the P510’s user interface is standard affair; not as exhaustive and full of features as that of the Sony HX200V. Still, it covers the basics like auto mode, scene selector, program modes, etc.

If you’re looking for maximum zoom, the P510 is the camera for you – ideal for a person who loves adventure holidays and the great outdoors.

What we like
  • The zoom! If you are used to point-and-shoot cameras, you will be amazed with the reach that the P510 allows you. And what’s more, the extra zoom also helps in getting amazing defocused/soft backgrounds when clicking portrait shoots.
  • The image quality is mostly good, even at the high-end of the focal range. Colours are rendered accurately, with lots of detail and the right amount of exposure.
  • In video mode, the camera captures audio in stereo, and also allows you to take advantage of its full optical zoom. It picks some faint sounds from the lens movement, but this is not a deal-breaker.

What we don’t like
  • The P510 is built using glossy plastic and that feels cheap. Also, for its size, the camera is pretty light, something that doesn’t inspire confidence in its build quality.
  • The performance in low-light conditions leaves much to be desired. The shooter is slow to acquire focus, and pictures have lots of noise or grain in them. In cases where its flash is used, the camera tends to underexpose the pictures. In short, low light photography is the P510’s Achilles heel.
  • Focus is slow to latch on during videos. This means if you zoom to pan in and out, there could be moments when your subjects will not be in focus.
                    
 FujiFilm Finepix SL300

Despite its price, the SL300 packs in a decent 30x zoom lens. It also boasts of an electronic viewfinder though it’s not very bright or sharp and we mostly used the LCD display to frame our pictures.

On paper, this shooter looks good, but don’t expect miracles in terms of performance from it. Still, given its price, it’s a decent deal if you are looking to buy a highzoom shooter on a budget.

What we like

  • The SL300 is a bridge camera (i.e. a point-and-shoot with a DSLR-like body) with solid build quality. The lens has a nice rubber grip, while its matte plastic body has been given a thin coating of soft rubber around the screen area. Its size and form factor make it comfortable to handle, and easy to hold steady during shoots.    
  •  30x zoom seems good at its price, and pictures shot at maximum focal length come out well when the camera is used outdoors in sunlight.

What we don’t like

  • The SL300 is a slow performer. In low light, acquiring focus takes a few seconds. Durations between continuous shots are also longer when compared to other shooters reviewed here: Once you have clicked a picture, the camera takes just a tad longer to process the image and although it all happens within a split second, the difference is apparent between rapid shots. This means you might not enjoy clicking action photos with this one    
  •  Image quality is good in proper light, with accurate colours. But in low-light conditions – for example, in the evening – images lack sharpness. The main problem is the over-smoothing that the SL300 applies to images This reduces details and makes the pictures look a little washed out.
  • Videos are limited to 720p and grain is visible in footage Besides, you can’t use the full 30x zoom during videos Also, the camera lacks ability to record stereo sound.


 Canon SX260HS

SX260HS is a pint-size camera, but it still packs in a lens that can provide up to 20x zoom. And while it was the only device in this shootout that did not have a viewfinder, it still performed solidly making it an ideal buy for anyone looking to get lots of zoom without sacrificing on portability.

What we like
  • For an ultra-compact camera, SX260HS is fast. It acquires focus in a snap, and duration between shots is virtually non-existent in well-lit conditions.
  • Barring the pictures shot in extreme low-light, the SX260HS snaps excellent photos even at the high-end of its zoom. The pictures have lots of details and look sharp and clear.
  •  Its small size is an advantage, making it an ideal travel camera.
What we don’t like
  • The quality of movies made indoors is average, with visible noise. Also, the camera picks up audio from the lens mechanics while zooming in and out.
  •  Battery life is below average with the camera lasting for around 200 shots on full charge.


 

 

Specifications for EOS 1200D (Body)

Type Digital, single-lens reflex, AF/AE camera with built-in flash
Recording media SD memory card, SDHC memory card, SDXC memory card
Image sensor size Approx. 22.3 x 14.9mm
Compatible lenses Canon EF lenses (including EF-S lenses)
* Excluding EF-M lenses
(35mm-equivalent focal length is approx. 1.6 times the lens focal length)
Lens mount Canon EF mount
Image Sensor   
Type CMOS sensor
Effective pixels Approx. 18.0 megapixels
Aspect ratio 3:2
Dust delete feature Dust Delete Data appending, Clean manually
Recording System   
Recording format Design rule for Camera File System (DCF) 2.0
Image type JPEG, RAW (14-bit Canon original)
RAW+JPEG Large simultaneous recording possible
Recording pixels L (Large): Approx. 17.9 megapixels (5184 x 3456)
M (Medium): Approx. 8.0 megapixels (3456 x 2304)
S1 (Small 1): Approx. 4.5 megapixels (2592 x 1728)
S2 (Small 2): Approx. 2.5 megapixels (1920 x 1280)
S3 (Small 3): Approx. 350,000 pixels (720 x 480)
RAW: Approx. 17.9 megapixels (5184 x 3456)
Create / select a folder Possible
File numbering Continuous, Auto reset, Manual reset
Image Processing During Shooting   
Picture style Auto, Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Def. 1 - 3
Basic+ Ambience-based shots, Light/scene-based shots
White balance Auto, Preset (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, White fluorescent light, Flash),
Custom White Balance correction and White balance bracketing possible
* Flash color temperature information transmission enabled
Noise reduction Applicable to long exposures and high ISO speed shots
Automatic image brightness correction Auto Lighting Optimizer
Highlight tone priority Provided
Lens peripheral illumination correction Provided
Viewfinder   
Type Eye-level pentamirror
Coverage Vertical / Horizontal approx. 95% (with Eye point approx. 21mm)
Magnification Approx. 0.8x (-1m-1 with 50mm lens at infinity)
Eyepoint Approx. 21mm (from eyepiece lens center at -1m-1)
Built-in dioptric adjustment Approx. -2.5 - +0.5m-1 (dpt)
Focusing screen Fixed, Precision Matte
Mirror Quick-return type
Depth-of-field preview Enabled with Custom Function setting
Autofocus   
Type TTL secondary image-registration, phase detection
AF points 9-point (Cross-type AF sensitive to f/5.6 with center AF point)
Focusing brightness range EV 0-18 (Center AF point)
EV 1-18 (Other AF points)
(With One-Shot AF, at room temperature, ISO 100)
AF operation One-Shot AF, AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF
AF-assist beam Small series of flashes fired by built-in flash
Exposure Control   
Metering modes 63-zone TTL full-aperture metering
  • Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points)
  • Partial metering (approx. 10% of viewfinder at center)
  • Center-weighted average metering
Brightness metering range EV 1 - 20 (at room temperature, ISO 100)
Exposure control Program AE (Scene Intelligent Auto, Flash Off, Creative Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-up, Sports, Night Portrait, Program), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Manual exposure
ISO speed
(Recommended exposure index)
Basic zone modes*: ISO 100 - ISO 3200 set automatically
* Portrait: ISO 100
Creative Zone modes: ISO 100 - ISO 6400 set manually (whole-stop increments), ISO 100 - ISO 6400 set automatically, maximum ISO speed settable for ISO Auto, or expandable to "H" (equivalent to ISO 12800)
Exposure compensation Manual: ±5 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
AEB: ±2 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments (can be combined with manual exposure compensation)
AE lock Auto: Applied in One-Shot AF with evaluative metering when focus is achieved
Manual: By AE lock button
Shutter   
Type Electronically-controlled, focal-plane shutter
Shutter speeds 1/4000sec. to 30sec. (Total shutter speed range.
Available range varies by shooting mode.), Bulb, X-sync at 1/200sec.
Flash   
Built-in flash Retractable, auto pop-up flash
Guide No: Approx. 9.2 / 30.2 (ISO 100, in meters / feet) or
Approx. 13 / 42.7 (ISO 200, in meters / feet)
Flash coverage: Approx. 17mm lens angle of view
Recycling time approx. 2 sec.
External flash EX-series Speedlite
Flash metering E-TTL II autoflash
Flash exposure compensation ±2 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-stop increments
FE lock Provided
PC terminal None
Drive System   
Drive mode Single shooting, Continuous shooting, Self-timer with 10- sec. or 2-sec. delay and 10-sec. delay with continuous shooting
Continuous shooting speed Max. approx. 3.0 shots/sec.
Max. burst (Approx.) JPEG Large / Fine: 69 shots
RAW: 6 shots
RAW+JPEG Large / Fine: 4 shots
* Figures are based on Canon's 8 GB test card and testing standards (ISO 100 and Standard Picture Style).
Live View Shootings   
Aspect ratio 3:2, 4:3, 16:9, 1:1
Focusing methods Contrast detection (FlexiZone-Single, Face detection Live mode), Phase-difference detection (Quick mode)
Manual focus (approx. 5x / 10x magnification possible)
Focusing brightness range EV 1 - 18 (at room temperature, ISO 100)
Metering modes Real-time metering with image sensor
Brightness metering range EV 0 - 20 (at room temperature, ISO 100)
Grid display Two types
Movie Shooting   
Recording format MOV
Movie MPEG-4 AVC / H.264
Variable (average) bit rate
Audio Linear PCM
Recording size and frame rate 1920 x 1080 (Full HD): 30p / 25p / 24p
1280 x 720 (HD): 60p / 50p
640 x 480 (SD): 30p / 25p
* 30p: 29.97fps, 25p: 25.00fps, 24p: 23.98fps, 60p: 59.94fps, 50p: 50.00fps
File size 1920 x 1080 (30p / 25p / 24p): Approx. 330MB/min.
1280 x 720 (60p / 50p): Approx. 330MB/min.
640 x 480 (30p / 25p) : Approx. 82.5MB/min.
Focusing Same as focusing with Live View shooting
Metering modes Center-weighted average and evaluative metering with the image sensor
* Automatically set by the focusing mode
Brightness metering range EV 0 - 20 (at room temperature, ISO 100)
Exposure control Autoexposure and manual exposure
Exposure compensation ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments (Still photos: ±5 stops)
ISO speed:
(Recommended exposure index)
With autoexposure shooting: ISO 100 - ISO 6400 set automatically (ISO 100 - ISO 3200 for still photo shooting)
With manual exposure: ISO 100 - ISO 6400 set automatically / manually
Video snapshots Settable to 2 sec. / 4 sec. / 8 sec.
Sound recording Built-in monaural microphone
Sound-recording level adjustable, wind filter provided
Grid display Two types
Still photo shooting Possible
LCD Monitor   
Type TFT colour liquid-crystal monitor
Monitor size and dots Approx. 7.5cm (3.0-in.) (4:3) with approx. 460,000 dots
Brightness adjustment Manual (7 levels)
Interface languages 25
Feature guide Displayable
Playback   
Image display formats Basic info, basic info + image quality / playback number, shooting info. display, histogram, image index (4/9)
Zoom magnification Approx. 1.5x - 10x
Highlight alert Overexposed highlights blink
Image browsing methods Single image, jump by 10 or 100 images, by shooting date, by folder, by movies, by stills, by rating
Image rotation Possible
Ratings Provided
Movie playback Enabled (LCD monitor, HDMI OUT)
Built-in speaker
Image protection Possible
Slide show All images, by date, by folder, by movies, by stills, by rating
Five transition effects selectable
Background music Selectable for slide shows and movie playback
Post-Processing of Images
Creative filters Grainy B/W, Soft focus, Fish-eye effect, Toy camera effect, Miniature effect
Resize Possible
Direct Printing   
Compatible printers PictBridge-compatible printers
Printable images JPEG and RAW images
Print ordering DPOF Version 1.1 compliant
Custom Functions   
Custom functions 11
My menu registration Possible
Copyright information Entry and inclusion enabled
Interface   
Digital terminal Computer communication, Direct printing (Hi-Speed USB equivalent), GPS Receiver GP-E2 connection
HDMI mini OUT terminal Type C (Auto switching of resolution), CEC-compatible
Remote control terminal For Remote Switch RS-60E3
Eye-Fi card Compatible
Power   
Battery Battery Pack LP-E10 (Quantity 1)
* AC power can be supplied via AC Adapter Kit ACK-E10
Number of possible shots
(Based on CIPA testing standards)
With viewfinder shooting: Approx. 500 shots at room temperature (23°C / 73°F)
Approx. 410 shots at low temperatures (0°C / 32°F)
With Live View shooting: Approx. 180 shots at room temperature (23°C / 73°F)
Approx. 170 shots at low temperatures (0°C / 32°F)
Movie shooting time Approx. 1hr. 15min. at room temperature (23°C / 73°F)
Approx. 1hr. 10min. at low temperatures (0°C / 32°F)
(with a fully-charged Battery Pack LP-E10)
Dimensions and Weight   
Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 129.6 x 99.7 x 77.9mm / 5.10 x 3.93 x 3.07in.
Weight Approx. 480g / 16.93oz. (CIPA Guidelines),
Approx. 435g / 15.34oz. (Body only)
Operating Environment   
Working temperature range 0°C - 40°C / 32°F - 104°F
Working humidity 85% or less
Battery Pack LP-E10
Type Rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Rated voltage 7.4V DC
Battery capacity 860 mAh
Working temperature range During charging: 6°C - 40°C / 43°F - 104°F
During shooting: 0°C - 40°C / 32°F - 104°F
Working humidity 85% or less
Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 36.2 x 14.7 x 49.0mm / 1.4 x 0.6 x 1.9in.
Weight Approx. 45g / 1.6oz.
Battery Charger LC-E10
Compatible battery Battery Pack LP-E10
Recharging time Approx. 2 hours (at 23°C / 73°F)
Rated input 100 - 240V AC (50 / 60Hz)
Rated output 8.3V DC / 580 mA
Working temperature range 6°C - 40°C / 43°F - 104°F
Working humidity 85% or less
Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 67.0 x 30.5 x 87.5mm / 2.6 x 1.2 x 3.4in.
Weight Approx. 85g / 3.0oz.
Battery Charger LC-E10E
Compatible battery Battery Pack LP-E10
Power cord length Approx. 1m / 3.3ft.
Recharging time Approx. 2 hours (at 23°C / 73°F)
Rated input 100 - 240V AC (50 / 60Hz)
Rated output 8.3V DC / 580 mA
Working temperature range 6°C - 40°C / 43°F - 104°F
Working humidity 85% or less
Dimensions (W x H x D): Approx. 67.0 x 30.5 x 87.5mm / 2.6 x 1.2 x 3.4in.
Weight Approx. 82g / 2.9oz. (excluding power cord)

All the data above is based on Canon's testing standards and CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) testing standards and guidelines.
Dimensions, maximum diameter, length and weight listed above are based on CIPA Guidelines (except weight for camera body only).
Product specifications and the exterior are subject to change without notice.
If a problem occurs with a non-Canon lens attached to the camera, consult the respective lens manufacturer.

[Update: 10.05.14] Sony Alpha 3500 , Alpha 58


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