Compact camera recommendations

I am mostly a landscape photographer, but every spring I help with a raptor migration count and use a 7D with a 400mm/5.6. I don't get many high quality photos, but it has been very helpful to confirm ID's and give some learning feedback to new folks.

One of the other counters would like to do something similar and also have a camera for a non-raptor birding identification aid and general fun bird photos, but would like a smaller and less expensive set up, knowing photo quality may be a trade-off. He described a compact camera with a zoom lens. My knowledge of small cameras is very limited and I have no idea of price ranges. I was wondering if you folks might have suggestions? Thanks!

Hi, Roger, I got this little camera, on the recommendation of others here, for a lightweight, carry-around with a terrific zoom. An additional feature for me, is that it has a viewfinder. I hate the LCD screens, as they are impossible to view in sun.

It can be a tricky little sucker, so there is a fairly steep learning curve.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-powershot-sx50-hs

Sandy

The Canon PS SX50 Been using it for sometime and have post several photos in different galleries, including several in Avian. Also, there is a very good article in the current issue of Nature Photographer where the photographer used the SX50 for all of the photos. A couple of my friends have also purchased it and use it almost exclusively.

A friend of mine has been using a version of a Panasonic Lumix for years now. He uses it heavily, almost like a professional work load. He bought the original one from a popular box store with a warranty. The cameras can't stand up to the heavy use that he puts it through and then they get replaced because of the warranty. He drives most bird photographers crazy, because he can get an image that they can't. The DMC Sz40 ($447) has a range of 24-720mm. His images are not quite the same quality of top glass, but they still get published. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1023338-REG/panasonic_lumix_dmc_zs40_digital_camera.html The DMC zs25 has a range of 24-480mm and is only $169.00 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/910502-REG/panasonic_dmc_zs25k_lumix_dmc_zs25_digital_camera.html I think these cameras will last for a long time under light to moderate use. My friend is putting thousands of images a month on his cameras. Good luck!

Find I'm using the SX50 as much as the Canon SLRs. As a light, general camera it does a great job. Yes, there is a learning curve but once you get used to its many features it becomes easier. There are a few drawbacks when it comes to moving objects so don't expect to get birds in flight. Takes too long to locate them in live view. Also having trouble downloading raw images into CS 5. If anyone can tell me why please email me.

I routinely use crop sensor and full frame sensor dslr's with an appropriate stable of lenses, primes and zooms, for landscape, nature, macro, etc....but a Canon SX50 constantly rides shotgun for reliable , high-qualty RAW fgrab shots of birds and other wildlife. The 50x telephot is incredible! Never without it!

Have had no problems with BIF crane and goose images at Bosque,

I routinely download into my iPad from camera or from SD card and thence into Dropbox, thence to my PC and back-up hard discs back home using "Go to My PC".

Dave Graham in SD

Might want to take a look at this thread, too. Another SX50 user!

http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=73424&CGISESSID=b3555161a7db35065606662f71339717&u=1371