Digital cameras 101

[quacker1964]

Hello all!

I just ordered a Panasonic FZ18 and while idly Googling, I came across Gail's fine Blog - something I couldn't find on UK sites

Without boring everyone, I chose the FZ18 primarily as the compromise between point-and-shoot and DSLR.  My main interest lies in photographing birds and nature, but carrying my own weight in kit & lenses does not appeal!  The extremes of 28 and 504mm are very versatile.  The reviews I read tempted me - 18x optical sounded too good to be true.  I previously bought a Minolta FZ5 which was a disappointment.

Ok I am now interested in the next step, any accessories, add-ons etc.  If it is not controversial, I am enthralled by the extended optical zoom.  I hear this is better than digital zoom (of course) but have described it as nothing more than reducing pixels.  Is this true? - or perhaps a better way of asking the question is if I was to shoot the same scene one at 18x full MP and one at 18x 5MP would the second image appear closer/more detail? If that isn't sufficient, how is the figure calculated? - I believe on Gail's blog, is stated converted 504mm to 804mm (approx).

I only ask because as a bird photographer, there is never sufficient reach and every little helps.

Phew - and I never even mentioned converters yet lol.  Apologies for long opening post - I will now get acquainted with the site and apologise in advance if I have asked dumb or recurring questions.

Thanks

Steve

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Steve,

It figures I'd read your first post last. LOL. Welcome again. Glad you found us.

I've already answered some of your questions about accessories in another forum post, so let me focus here on the others.

Read about Extended Optical Zoom here:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-features/shooting-modes/extended-zoom.php


We have an entire section on nature photography:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/nature/


If you like bird photography, do not miss these two outstanding, very helpful articles:

Photographing Birds

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/nature/birds.php


Photographing Birds in Flight

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/nature/flight.php

btw, no question is ever considered dumb here. So please ask away if you have others. Also feel free to use the search feature at the main site for articles on all aspects of digital cameras and photography. We have close to 1000 pages of related information written in an easy-to-understand manner.

[quacker1964]

Thanks again Gail - I just took a while to get my head around the concept of easy zoom.  I thought (hoped) it was an extra way of adding optical reach. It will serve me well as I mentioned elsewhere I am not a lover of post production, so if I can crop-as-I-go I will be happy with that.  28x (equivalent) will serve me well.

Steve

[quacker1964]

Answering my own point, and apologies for doing so, but it might help others I found the following link.  Of course it will work with FZ18.

http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/faq/ww/ans/ex.html

I will apologise in advance if the link is not permissable and feel free to remove it guys - I find it was just what I was looking for.  A written description is one thing, but visual guides are good too.

Steve

[ShutterbugGail]

That's a great link. Thanks for sharing it. That's what this and other forums are all about.

Let us know if we can be of any help when your camera arrives. Hope you get some sun in that region of the world too.  

[quacker1964]

I'm still waiting for delivery  

A question while i wait 18x is the standard, what are the EZ figures for 5MP and 3MP - are they both (approx) 28x or do they differ? Also - does this practice only work with Panasonic cameras? the same thing doesn't happen with my Minolta Z5.  

I've got a trip planned for Saturday so hope to have it then.  At this rate I'll hit the ground running with all the knowledge lol.

[ShutterbugGail]

There are a number of zoom ranges,  from 18X to 28.7X depenidng on the aspect ratio and picture size you choose.  They are listed on page 31 of the manual. In general, the less megapixels, the longer the reach of the extended optical zoom.

The longest reach is at 2-3 megapixels, but at that size it doesn't give you much crop or print enlargement options. As always, you have to base your settings on how you're going to use an image in the final analysis.

Don't have your camera yet? Don't worry. You can download a pdf version of the FZ18 manual here:

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-FZ18K

Not all cameras have extended optical zooms; many of the newer ones do.