Anyone here also use a P & S super zoom

I was thinking about getting a Canon SX40 for vacations. I have a D300s and a 16-85 plus a 70-300 VR that I was planning on using as my vacation camera and lens set. But haveing two young kids (4 and 9) and having to lug around their luggage, I was thinking about just getting a super zoom. for places like animal parks, zoo, etc. Then I could just leave the D300s at home. It would make traveling a lot lighter. I know the IQ would be a step down but may be good enough.

My main question would be about shutter lag, AF and using a EVF after using a optical viewfinder for so many years.

So does anyone here have a super zoom P&S and how do you like it? Do you regret your purchase or would you do the same thing again? Thanks

Just my humble opinion. I have a Kodak z981 super zoom thingy. I also have a d5000(for sale right now) a d90 and a somewhat confusing d200(bad sensor ir convert who knows) I'm sure the canon is a way better camera than the Kodak but I can not use the Kodak anymore. I got it thinking I could use it on the lobster boat and not worry too much if it took a wave and died. Sounds good in theory but the AF is horribly slow, the EVF is horrible and the shutter lag/ FPS is absolutely horrendous. I know my situation is different and like I said the canon HAS to be way better but (once again my humble opinion, everyone here has one) for the price you might be much happier with a d5000(not mine) or a d3100 with just a cheap 18-200.

I have owned a couple of Fuji Bridge cameras.

Fuji S6000 - 6MP













Fuji S200EXR -12MP













Can you get decent shots? Of course, in the right conditions.

But you will suffer in low light, the AF struggles and the noise goes up. Certainly I think the newest ones have improved in this area but are nowhere near what a entry level dSLR from 5 years ago can do. I found shooting in churches, museums and restaurants to be slow and frustrating with a bridge camera.

Those shots by the way are straight out of the camera jpgs with no adjustments.

I waited too long and couldn't edit my post so I will add...

Shutter lag - write lag really - yes it can be a pain at times, I'm sure it would be miuch worse if I shot RAW+JPG which I do on my dSLR.

EVF - This is the real crux, in low light I found the EVF almost unusable and switched to the LCD on the back, which I hate using as well.

I already commented on AF speed in the other post.

For the replies. I think I'll try it for a while. I have two weeks to decide. I plan on using it only outside during the day. So light shouldn't be too much of a problem. I'll see if I can get used to the EVF.

The sensor on a P&S is literally 1/9 the size of that on an APS-C camera. Great for shooting snapshots for 5x7 prints in bright sunlit conditions of subjects that are not moving. Much much better are the MFT cameras like the Olympus E-PL2 and similar 4/3 cameras. The sensors on these cameras is 60% pf the size of the sensors on Nikon APS-C cameras and provide good image quality even at ISO 1600 settings.

Best part is these cameras weigh around 17 ounces with their battery and a zoom lens and sell for between $300-600.

I had a Canon S3IS before I got my hands on my D300, and I don't think I will part with it any time soon.

The 12x zoom on it is pretty handy at times, to get candid potraits anywhere.

Wonder how this girl would have reacted had I approached her with my bulky DSLR.....





I miss not having the swivel screen on my DSLR too, at time.

Got this leaning over the balcony with the screen tilted, managed to get the composition right in one shot.





Not to mention recording movies (although non HD but 640x480 is more than enough for me)

Its great and although, the image quality is not as great as my D300, its fairly good for most situations.

I only have the Canon G10 which is not a superzoom, but is very slow, both when it comes to focus and also the shtter lag.

I also have an Olympus u850SW which is also not a superzoom, but it is fairly fast. Not as fast as the D300s, but hey, it costed less than the cheapest lens I have.

What I'd do is this: I'd get the Panasonic G3 and would not care about any superzoom, or would buy the Nikon 1 with that 10-(whatever) superzoom. The third option would be to buy the Nikon P7100 plus the SB700. I believe it would work perfectly for most holiday shots, but would not be able to replace a DSLR. I don't think I will buy another Canon compact.