Small sensor is a PITA :-)

[DUBTEMPLE]

Literally



(typically FZ200, the grass in the foreground is about to burn as well)

 

[JMo]

Yes, but a large sensor is a pain in the wallet, and a pain in the shoulder from carrying heavy gear.

Two things will help a lot with blown highlights: check the live histogram before shooting, and routinely back off the exposure by about 2/3 of a stop. Also you can reduce the contrast and then bring it back in post-processing.

 

[PC Wheeler]

OTOH -- the FZ200 is about the best small-sensor digicam I was able to find. The FZ1000 is a good upgrade, with a larger sensor (1") and still a tolerable size and weight (for me).

 

[Rodger1943]

Literally

(typically FZ200, the grass in the foreground is about to burn as well)

I'm much more aware of the "blown" highlights now with my FZ200 and FZ1000. I use exposure compensation or Manual to help control them.

--
Panasonic FZ1000

 

[trog100]

small sensors are really about zoom range.. i have the fZ1000 for its versatility and its zoom range.. no other reason.. to get this i have to live with a smaller sensor than my other cameras..

if you dont want zoom its possible to get a compact camera with a much a larger sensor.. less blown highlights better low light performance and all the things that come with larger sensors.. and all in quite a small package..

but what you cant have is a good zoom range and a larger sensor.. the two just dont go together..

the fZ1000 is my compromise.. but even then its a wee bit on the large size for me..

trog

 

[MissingLinkie]

Literally

(typically FZ200, the grass in the foreground is about to burn as well)

1) sorry to hear your bad experience

2) sorry to tell you but this picture is REALLY messed up somehow... its even at light-level 12.66 !!!

3) you can find MANY awesome pictures here taken with FZ200 that are much... MUCH better quallity

4) what to do at the IQ that YOU are extracting from this jewel? show more pictures ?? so we can advice you what to do? and/or test. (lol, did you crop it up to 2.000mm EFL ?? )

regards,

--
This is just my RAW avatar....

 

[Cyril Catt]

Maybe try a camera with inbuilt HDR capability? Casio ZR800 or 850 perhaps?

 

[precognito]

I agree with your comments. I recognize the FZ200's limits when it comes to dynamic range and try to expose right and adjust in post. Depth of field can be an advantage and a curse.







I shoot RAW for flexibility.