SeilerBird said:
Bob - I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing this camera to my attention. After a few weeks of use I am in love. As you said, it won't replace a DSLR, but in my case it has replaced it about 90% of the time. It is my go to camera when I walk out the door. The biggest problem with it is that BIF are very difficult. Mainly because of the lack of a viewfinder. I now have 5 cameras. Two with viewfinders and 3 without. I have bought the three without during the last six months and I have discovered that except for shooting BIF I much prefer shooting without a viewfinder. The next biggest problem is the lack of RAW. On most images that doesn't matter, but the camera will blow out whites real easy. With RAW I could fix it easily, but shooting jpg I can't fix the blown whites. It also does terrible in low light situations, but I avoid low light situations anyway so that is not much of a problem for me.
However I have found that next week Canon will release a newer version of the same camera called the DSC-HS50V. It will have a 30x zoom (25-750), a 20 mp sensor, a what looks like better low light. I don't know if it shoot RAW or not but either way I will probably upgrade. If it has RAW I will be upgrading sooner.
http://www.dpreview.com/products/Sony/compacts/sony_dschx50v/overview
Here are a few shots taken this last week. The shot of the dragonfly is terrible due to it being overcast, but look at the resolution in the wings. The concert is in a week and I am ready.
Well -- thank you, my friend. I appreciate that feedback. I did really beat that puppy to death before posting and deciding to keep it. It became so nice to discover that I didn't have to go to bridge to have a walk around camera. I wanted it no larger than my smart phone and wanted the lens go complete "go away" when stowed in my pocket or soft case attached to my belt.
Am a bit confused about your link about an upgrade to the SX260? That links to a Sony.
Canon has already upgraded the SX260 to the 270 and 280:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/03/21/Canon-announces-SX270-HS-20x-superzoom-and-SX280-HS-with-GPS-and-Wi-Fi
Also available on Amazon. However, still no RAW. BTW, are you set to shoot in Fine jpg? As to low light, the upgrades include the DIGIC 6 which puts it ahead of most all other Canons, plus they have added WiFi. The incremental cost is about $80.
When I was doing my testing starting in Qz - I had narrowed it down to the 260 and another that had a 2.0 lens. However, I quickly decided the zoom was more important to me and low light is not a biggy with me. If I do have such a need, I will shoot with my 50D instead and 580 flash if needed. I have learned to use the flash and how to match that light with ambient over the years w/film. So as with you now, I always have the 260 on my fanny pack belt along with my Smart Phone - and only have the 50D if I need it beyond that.
Great images you posted, Tom. As you know, I'm borderline paranoid about sharpness of image - and these fit the bill just fine. If I have good light, the SX260 will do the rest as to sharpness. I read specs on some zooms saying not to go out full because they are not as sharp out there - whereas with the 260SX, I almost always shoot at full zoom if zooming at all.
No, not good for Birds or most anything else in flight. However, the locking focus is just great. One evening I was sitting outside the Riverside on a bench about 10pm playing with the settings. The hotel next door had a lit McDonald's sign on the side of their building that was not that large. It was meant for the river walk folk as they passed by. At first, I wasn't about to get a good focus. But then I went again to spot metering, and, once I had the spot on the sign (maybe 1/4 mile away) and the shutter button half way down - I saw that it locked onto the sign no matter how I moved or recomposed. The image was then spot on.
BTW, when going from P, Tv,Av, or M and then back to and from Auto, the metering mode has to be reset. Nice that the 50D remembers all that stuff for me. Also, experimenting with Auto or P -- the Aperture will most always wind up around a 2.0 to 4.0. So I most always shoot in Aperture Priority to get is up to 7.0 or 8.0, of course making sure I have enough light otherwise without maxing the AutoISO. That's a nice feature of an LCD vs. viewfinder. In that if not enough light at a higher Av setting, a half press of the shutter button quickly shows how dark the shot will be. Otherwise, I will go viewfinder all the time.
Sorry I've rambled vs. doing quotes, Tom - am rushed again today but wanted to respond. Am glad you like the SX260 . . .