Super Zoom vs DSLR

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Scott 3

Scott 3

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Considering a Panasonic Lumix FZ300 or Canon Rebel  EOS T5 package.  If prices are similar, which would one would you go with?

I want to be able to capture wildlife, etc at long distance.

$500-$600 is the top end of the budget.

Ease of use and decent quality are both important.

Are there other super zooms or DSLRs in this price range that you would consider before these two?
 
Canon makes several 'super zoom' cameras within your budget, including the SX60HS. You can check them out on amazon.com.

I'm very much a neophyte when it comes to photography, and more of a point-and-shoot guy. I find it easier to carry around my single-lens Canon than my Canon DSLR.
 
I bought a Nikon coolpix P510 around 3-1/2 years ago.  I have been very happy with it.

A former film SLR guy, just a hobby, I really wanted the control-ability and options with an SLR, but went this route.  Not quite as versatile in some ways, but it has been very solid and offers enough for me.

If it's zoom you want, this thing will reach out out there!  I'm not sure what the 35mm focal length equivalent of this 42x zoom is, but it is huge! I could never have justified the $ for an SLR lens as long.

Sorry I can't comment directly on the two you mentioned.
 
I would highly recommend calling B & H and talking to one of their photography specialists to discuss your photography needs.  B & H carries both the cameras you are considering.  The experts at B & H will be able to help you compare the cameras and will probably have more suggestions. Their prices are very competitive and their service is excellent.  Some companies like Canon, will not allow their vendors to price their products below certain price points.  B & H gets around that by bundling accessories or giving rewards. 

I am a professional portrait photographer and a Canon DSLR user.  I always call B & H to discuss any new camera, lens, or photography accessory purchase over $35.  I've been using B & H almost exclusively for the last six years and have never been disappointed in their advice, pricing, or service. 

Their phone number is 877-628-2732 
Following is a link to their website:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Photography/ci/989/N/4294538916BTW: 
(They close early on Fridays and they are not open on weekends and some holidays.)

BTW I am not a wildlife photographer so I don't have a regular need for a long telephoto lens.  When DH and I were at Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons a few weeks ago we wish we had rented a super long telephoto lens (400mm to 800mm) for a week or two. 
 
Thank you everyone.  We are heading to Yellowstone and RMNP in a few weeks.  Our old Canon Rebel has a broken pin which is driving this.  We often fumbled with getting the settings right so I'm hoping the modern electronics will help.
 
I found this re my old Nikon
As I mentioned before, trade-offs..... but if you want a long lens, this is a hard to beat package
42x, f3.0-5.9, 24-1,000mm (35mm equivalent)
yes that is 1,000mm  equivalent OPTICAL!

It's old, and I wouldn't be suprised if Lumix, Nikon, or others have one now even better
 
OBX said:
Thank you everyone.  We are heading to Yellowstone and RMNP in a few weeks.  Our old Canon Rebel has a broken pin which is driving this.  We often fumbled with getting the settings right so I'm hoping the modern electronics will help.
Click to expand...

Don't equate having the "modern electronics" to mean that you have to buy the super-zoom.  I went from a Rebel xTi which had served me for many years to a Rebel T5i and I continue to use the Tamron 18-270 stabilized zoom I purchased a couple of years ago.  The new camera has so many bells and whistles that I'll never need half of them.  But there are some that are nice to have.  What I find really handy is the increased ISO range.  The T5i can shoot with ISO speeds as high as ~6500 and not suffer any loss of resolution.  Since I like to do bird and animal photography I enjoy running with such a high default speed.

There are other nice features, but, for me, the broad range of ISO speeds are the best.
 
Haven't pulled the trigger yet.  Wal-Mart had a Canon T5 for $399.  Our old 300mm lenses would work and we would save $100 or so.  This is a tough decision.
 
Started reading reviews of the Rebel T5, T5i, T6, T6i, it's endless.
 
The FZ300 is a very good choice. The lens is a constant f/2.8. That means that yoe can actually usr the entire zoom range. There are other super zoom cameras with more zoom, but they all get dimmer as you zoom in farther, That tends to force you to use slow shutter speeds at longer zooms, which makes fo a lot of very blurred photos.

Joel
 
Great Horned Owl said:
The lens is a constant f/2.8. That means that yoe can actually usr the entire zoom range. There are other super zoom cameras with more zoom, but they all get dimmer as you zoom in farther, That tends to force you to use slow shutter speeds at longer zooms, which makes fo a lot of very blurred photos.
Click to expand...

That's why I shoot with such a high ISO; shooting at an ISO of ~6000 gives me several extra f-stops to play with.
 
docj said:
That's why I shoot with such a high ISO; shooting at an ISO of ~6000 gives me several extra f-stops to play with.
Click to expand...

On most (if not all) cameras, shooting with such a high ISO tends to degrade the image. It is just not possible to amplify the light signal that much, without also having considerable amplification of the noise.

Some cameras attempt to compensate with extreme noise reduction in their image processing algorithm. A side effect of noise reduction, tends to be a loss of resolution.

There's no such thing as a free lunch. A high quality lens will always beat pushing the electronics. High ISO film was bever very good either.

Joel
 
Great Horned Owl said:
On most (if not all) cameras, shooting with such a high ISO tends to degrade the image. It is just not possible to amplify the light signal that much, without also having considerable amplification of the noise.
Click to expand...

Concepts such as image degradation at high ISO have to be calibrated to match current technology.  The days of "push-processing" High Speed Ektachrome to get an extra f-stop are long gone.  The user guide for my T5i cautions that at an ISO of 25,000 there may be increased noise; below that it's insignificant for all but the most exacting uses.  Even in fully automatic mode the camera will take the ISO as high as 6,400 in low light situations.  Quite honestly I see no issues with using an ISO of 6,400 as a default if your subject matter tends to be action shots and/or animals. 
 
Docj, would you buy your T5i again?  Did you consider just a T5?
 
OBX said:
Docj, would you buy your T5i again?  Did you consider just a T5?
Click to expand...

Yes, for me the improvement from my old xTi to the T5i was significant.  I never really considered the T5, but looking at a comparison of the two the features I wouldn't want to give up are the 4.8 fps vs 3.0 fps "rapid fire" and the ultra high ISO (even though I've not used it at 25,000).  I've gotten some great "bird in flight" photos with the high frame rate and a very fast shutter speed.  The other feature that might be significant is the lower resolution screen, but I wouldn't be able to judge that without seeing both.

By staying with a Canon I was able to continue to use my Tamron zoom that I mentioned previously.  I realize that it isn't in the same league as the high end Canon lenses, but neither are any of the other lenses normally sold with the Rebel series.  It's quite satisfactory for me.
 
I had the opportunity to use the T5i when I was completing my college degree in professional photography.  I think the T5i is a very good entry level DSLR.  I liked the T5i's articulating screen.  I was disappointed in it's performance in low light conditions but it is acceptable for it's price point.  The T5i is a good value but it looks like it might exceed your maximum budget.  I would call B & H and ask one of their photography experts to help you compare the T5 to the T5i.  Regarding lenses, I found the Canon 70-300 kit lens to be soft at focal lengths over 150 mm. 
 
We went with the Rebel SL1.  The auto focus was the mutually agreed upon deciding factor.  Thanks for all of insights!
 
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