Canon - PowerShot SX30IS ?

[Tx625]

Thought this might make a great camera for taking pics while in the stand, considering the zoom. Wondering what you'll think, would I be better off with a slr with a huge lens?

[Shane]

Depends on how you define "better off". If you want to spend less money and carry your camera gear in your pocket while getting respectable pics, then the point-and-shoot is the ticket. If you want the best quality pics you can get, and you don't mind your camera bag being way heavier than your wallet, then an SLR and a lens or two is the ticket.

[TX CHICKEN]

I have one and love it but I am no expert. I bought the 1.5x lens so I can get a little more zoom. Cheap, simple and small then it's your answer but if quality is most important then a DSLR is better.

[Tx625]

Will this camera still take good quality pics, comparable to a slr?

[Double L]

It will take good quality pictures but can't compete with a DSLR and good glass. I bought a Canon S3IS from another TBH'er and then added the lens extender. The S3IS has a 12X Optical Zoom and the SX30IS has a 35X which would take the camera out to 840MM. The 12X zoom on the my S3IS is equivalent to around a 432MM lens and with extender it takes to around 648MM. In the DSLR world you are talking big bucks to get there and much more weight and bulk to carry around. For example the 70-200 MM F2.8 IS Canon lens is like $1900 and that is just for the lens and it weighs around 3.5 lbs.

Here are some sample pictures that I took with the 3SIS. The longhorn was probably 300 yards away when these were taken.

This first shot is with the zoom off (normal shot)



This is at full zoom (the bull was around 300 yards away)



This next series was taken to test the lens extender that I purchased.

The first picture is with the lens at normal without the extender and again the cows are around 300 yards away.



This picuture is at full zoom without the extender.



This picture is with the lens at full zoom and with the extender attached.



It depends on what you want from a camera but from the standpoint of taking wildlife pictures from the deer stand, I would think the SX30IS would fill the bill.

[Tx625]

Thanks a bunch everybody!