Compact camera recommendation for a beginner going on safari
Asked 2/23/2012
3 views
2 answers
0
A friend is going on an African safari and wants better photos than her old point-and-shoot can deliver. She is not looking to get deeply into photography, and her likely needs are:
- JPEG shooting only
- A relatively compact, less bulky camera than a DSLR
- Enough zoom reach for wildlife
- Ability to also shoot landscapes and nearby people
- Maybe use aperture- or shutter-priority, but nothing more advanced
She could spend as much as an entry/midrange DSLR if needed, but a simpler and cheaper option would be preferable if it better matches her needs. Would a mirrorless camera be a good fit, or is a compact superzoom a better choice for safari? What kind of zoom range is realistically useful for wildlife?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
3
I would recommend the Canon Powershot SX40 HS as I already outlined in this post. If they really aren't that into photography and don't want to be, they probably aren't going to buy a kit full of interchangeable lenses such as with MF3 or DSLRs. That is why I recommend something like the Canon G12 or the Canon SX40 HS. Both are great quality. If you are really interested in the best quality in a smaller size, the newly announced Canon Powershow G1 X really fits that bill. You do pay in the larger size(as compared to most p&s), and the actual price. From all previews of it points to outstanding quality though.
If you want truly great shots of animals, you can't discount what a DSLR with a 300mm or 400mm lens can do. That would be neither small, user friendly, or inexpensive though. For that reason I think the best solution is the SX40 HS, it is a great compromise and very very capable.
Originally by user4892. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4892
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For this use, a compact superzoom is probably the best fit. A mirrorless camera can give better image quality, but once you add enough telephoto reach for safari wildlife, the lens becomes large and the kit stops being small or simple.
The main tradeoff on safari is reach: for animals, more zoom is usually more useful than a small gain in image quality. A camera around the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS type of category makes sense because it keeps everything in one easy package and offers much more reach than compact enthusiast cameras like the Nikon P7100. A camera with only about a 200mm equivalent lens may feel too short for wildlife.
If she wants the simplest solution and does not plan to build a lens system, a superzoom is the practical recommendation. If she prioritizes the best image quality in a small camera for general travel, cameras like the Canon G-series are stronger, but they do not solve the wildlife-reach problem as well.
A DSLR with a 300mm or 400mm lens would do better for serious animal shots, but that setup is bigger, heavier, and more expensive.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI14y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Budget safari camera setup for a Canon T1i and a second compact camera
Is a Panasonic G3 with 100-300mm good enough for low-light safari shooting?
Is a simple digital point-and-shoot practical for someone without a computer?
Canon 300mm f/4L IS vs 70-200mm f/4L IS for an African safari on a Canon 600D
Compact camera similar to Canon G11/G12 with much longer zoom for wildlife