COMPARISON OF NIKON D300 CAMERA WITH NIKON 80-400 VR LENS
AND
THE DIMINUTIVE CANON SX50 HS POINT-AND-SHOOT CAMERA WITH ITS 24-1200MM ZOOM LENS,
TO ANSWER QUESTIONS REGARDING THE NEW CANON CAMERA FOR SERIOUS BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY!
COMMENTS?
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Procedure:
I located and photographed birds that were stationary long enough to use both cameras
under the same lighting and distances.
In Post-processing, I took advantage of Nikon's larger sensor to DIGITALLY EXPAND the D300's
images (600mm) to meet the larger image size of the Canon's 1200mm size images.
All Images here were taken at the cameras' maximum magnification!
(NOTE: Both cameras are rated at "12mp" image size.)
It is important to emphasize the differences between these 2 cameras!
see below:
Below is a Schematic illustrating the Sensor Size Differences between the 2 cameras:
Most important:
THE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE!
Nikon D300/80-400mm VR lens, new:
Slightly under $3,600.00
Canon SX50 HS camera:
$399.00, with prices continuing to drop!
Please Note:
The image comparisons below have been "matched" in size by expanding the smaller (Nikon D300) image to 'fit' the SX50 image!
Here is an example of the size difference between my 2 camera setups,
BEFORE EXPANDING THE D300 IMAGES TO MATCH THE SX50.
The 2 cameras have their own "color Palette", which don't match.
I left their colors alone, not matching them.
A "rollover" comparison is being used here...
Roll your cursor over the image and it will transform into the
ALTERNATE camera's result.
Let's begin...
Pintail Drake, Murray/Jordan River Parkway, UT.
Adult Cooper's Hawk, Big Cottonwood Park, Salt Lake, UT.
Northern Flicker, Sandy Pond, Sandy, UT.
Male Belted Kingfisher, Murray/Jordan River Parkway, UT.
Harlequin Duck, Antelope Island Causeway, Davis County, UT.
Great Blue Heron, Sandy Pond, Sandy, UT.
Common Loon, Jensen Nature Center, Davis County, UT.
"White Mallard", Big Cottonwood Park, Salt Lake County, UT.
Trumpeter Swan, Antelope Island Causeway, Davis County, UT.
Addendum
A more recent article comparing the CanonSX 50 with Canon High End DSLRs
Summary:
When used with care/precision and Post-Processing (the Canon SX50 has RAW capability)
this camera will provide satisfying bird images.
Were you to purchase said camera:
1) Shoot RAW FILES
2) Pay attention to quality and direction of light
3) Post-process, if for no other reason, to eliminate ugly Chromatic Aberration in high contrast conditions!
Additional bird images from the Canon SX50
are provided below:
(Canon SX50)
Notice how well the camera accomplished a satisfying dynamic range
(detail in shadows and highlights simultaneously)
Harlequin duck
Antelope Island Causeway
Canon SX50 HS
Northern Red shafted X Yellow shafted Intergrade
Crestwood Park, Sandy UT.
(Notice the red streak on back of neck, which distinguishes this bird as an intergrade)
Canon SX50 HS
Common birds follow:
Spotted Towhee
Crestwood Park
Canon SX50 HS
Spotted Towhee
Crestwood Park
Canon SX50 HS
Red-breasted Merganser
Antelope Island Causeway
Canon SX50 HS
Western Grebe
Antelope Island Causeway
Canon SX50 HS
Lesser Scaup ducks, 2 females (L); Male (R)
Jensen Nature Center, Syracuse,UT
Canon SX50 HS
Ring-billed gull
Jensen Nature Center, Syracuse, Ut.
Canon SX50 HS
Eared Grebes
Antelope Island Causeway, UT
Canon SX50 HS
Juvenile Redtailed Hawk,
Jensen Nature Center, Syracuse, UT.
Canon SX50 HS
My old friend, who I've been photographing for 10 months,
Pintail Drake, Kennecott Nature Center/Jordan River Parkway, UT.
Canon SX50 HS
Mourning Dove pair, Murray/Jordan River Parkway
Canon SX50 HS
Sharpshinned Hawk,
Crestwood Park, Sandy UT.
Canon SX50 HS
Western Scrub Jay,
Crestwood Park, Sandy UT.
Canon SX50 HS
Black-billed Magpie,
Crestwood Park, Sandy UT.
Canon SX50 HS
Northern Red-Shafted Flicker,
Murray/Jordan River Parkway, UT.
Canon SX50 HS
American Kestrel,
Murray/Jordan River Parkway, UT.
Canon SX50 HS
Update: Nov. 27, 2012
On my walk today, I discovered yet a 5th Northern Red-shafted
X
Yellow-shafted intergrade, distinguished by a red stripe on the back of its neck!
Canon SX50 HS
The female intergrade's red head striping is different...
Canon SX50 HS
Subtle, indeed!
Canon SX50 HS
Another view, where the bird is preening, showing the back of its neck exceedingly well.
Canon SX50 HS
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