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Image Quality: Is newer better?

Started Dec 2, 2012 | Discussions thread
Steen Bay Veteran Member • Posts: 7,418
Re: Image Quality: Is newer better?

averagjoe wrote:

I good motto is: "Do not upgrade unless you've outgrown your camera's capabilities." So I don't jump onto a new model just because it adds one insignificant function to what I already have. Until its recent accidental death I've used a Powershot A-630 as my walk-around camera and it had always rewarded me with excellent image quality. Granted, I don't do any low-light photography and on the rare occasion that I do I use a tripod.

So the 630 died. I've read a lot of reviews about the new models, such as the SX40 and 50, the G12/15, and G1X, as well as the Panasonic FZ 150 and Nikon CP7700. In these reviews there is talk about CMOS vs CCD sensors, and the purportedly improved image quality, but the sample shots, (especially those of the shelf full of dolls and wine bottles) don't really jump out as "WOW!"

I never had an issue with the IQ I got out of the 630, so I don't see the need to spend the extra several hundred on the latest model, when on a good day a used A630-640-650 model (all highly acclaimed and much beloved by their users) can be had for around $100.

So my question is to those who've made the upgrade from similar models to a current one in the same class: Disregarding camera function and features, and considering only the image quality: is there a clearly visible improvement?

Well, you can't really distinguish between features and IQ. Features like IS and a larger zoom range (both wider and longer) will make it possible to shoot a lot of images that you couldn't shoot before. If you buy a secondhand camera, then I'll recommend that you at least find one with IS and a wider lens than your old A630.

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