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SX720/30 optics compared with SX710 for macro?

Started Mar 28, 2018 | Discussions
Roger Rio Dias New Member • Posts: 7
SX720/30 optics compared with SX710 for macro?

I use my SX710 for taking shots of insects in Nature. To me it is perfect. However I shall soon need to upgrade for, as happened with my earlier SX700, the coating of the front element gets bad.

I've tried an Olympus TG-5 as a replacement for it has amazing characteristics for macro, such as focus bracketing/stacking, and a round the lens flash diffuser. But comparing the results the SX710 performs much better in terms of quality of image.

So I think I shall be going for a SX720/30. But I wonder if image quality _ for macro _ changed as these have a new 40x optics.

Does anyone has an answer for that? I'd appreciate opinions on this issue.

Cheers from Rio,
Roger

Canon PowerShot SX710 Canon PowerShot SX720 HS Olympus TG-5
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saaber1 Senior Member • Posts: 2,164
Re: SX720/30 optics compared with SX710 for macro?

I can’t comment on macro image quality of either sx720 or sx730 as mine have not arrived yet. But just FYI the g7xii macro shots really have a lot of detail. The lens and 1” sensor combo rally lend themselves to macro imo. I assume the g5x is probably equally as good since it’s the same lens and sensor.

Here is one from g7xii fyi (this is heather, flowers are maybe 1/4” long or so)

I’m going to try to do a head-to-head test next week (if we get some good light) of the following: sx730, G9xii, g7xii, older canon point and shoots, full frame dslr.

OP Roger Rio Dias New Member • Posts: 7
Re: SX720/30 optics compared with SX710 for macro?

saaber1 wrote:

I’m going to try to do a head-to-head test next week (if we get some good light) of the following: sx730, G9xii, g7xii, older canon point and shoots, full frame dslr.

Looking forward to it.

Below a picture of mine taken with SX710:

Anyone interested I have public albuns on Facebook under my name Roger Rio Dias.

Cheers to all,
Roger

gt13013 New Member • Posts: 8
Re: SX720/30 optics compared with SX710 for macro?

Hi Roger,

Your picture of the insect eye is impressive. How did you got it? What was your flash settings? Was the fly alive or dead? Did you use a lens like Raynox or so (I have the Raynox DCR 150 and 250).

I owned a SX700 but it died 3 weeks ago (lens goes out and does not wan to come back inside the camera). So I have replaced it by a SX720 last week. I can do tests.

I also have several other cameras (these ones), and have already made some tests and in particular these two macro tests: https://goo.gl/sbSaaE and https://goo.gl/hrWvof

Regards. Gerard

OP Roger Rio Dias New Member • Posts: 7
Re: SX720/30 optics compared with SX710 for macro?

So sorry Gerard for not seeing your post for a while (I hadn't subscribed to email updates).
I take my pictures hand held and almost everyone is of live insects, like the fly in the sample.
I have perfectioned my settings and they are almost always the following 9 (I have to count them or else I forgot something...):

flash on

DIY flash diffuser

-2 dimming on flash (usually)

fixed speed choice (Tv mode)

1/400 speed fto avoid trembling

0 exposure correction

2x digital zoom (not to be too close to subjects)

macro setting

ISO 80

However the quality I get is meant to publish on the Internet, not to print them. See below more samples.

I'd love to know about your experience with your SX720...

Cheers from Rio,

Roger

Pterophoridae

Tipulidae

OP Roger Rio Dias New Member • Posts: 7
Re: SX720/30 optics compared with SX710 for macro?

saaber1 wrote:

I’m going to try to do a head-to-head test next week (if we get some good light) of the following: sx730, G9xii, g7xii, older canon point and shoots, full frame dslr.

So sorry saaber for not seeing your post for a while (I hadn't subscribed to email updates).

I would love to see your evaluation on the SX730. Is it available somewhere?

Cheers from Rio,
Roger

gt13013 New Member • Posts: 8
Re: SX720/30 optics compared with SX710 for macro?

Hello Roger,

Thanks for sharing your parameters. I will try to use them on some fly in the future.

I have no really interesting macro picture taken with the SX720, since I usually use my reflex to take macros.

But I have done some resolution comparisons using the SX720 and a Raynox additional lens. The results are here (in French...): http://bit.ly/2NAleSG

Regards,

Gerard

OP Roger Rio Dias New Member • Posts: 7
Re: SX720/30 optics compared with SX710 for macro?
2

I have finally bought a SX730 still without knowing if it would be as good as my late SX710 for macro.

Well, I have good news, despite the change in optics to reach 40x, this new camera got even better than my old one!

Not only it seems the images didn't lose quality, but some improvements are felt in the auto focus, it seems to focus more precisely and quickier now.

I feel I get more good results than before. These photos taken handheld, with minor adjustments via Photomizer and/or Picasa. I use the settings described in a former post in this discussion.

In Paraguarí, Paraguay

In Iguazu Falls, Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

In Iguazu Falls, Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

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