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Just having fun

Started Jan 9, 2019 | Discussions
benjilafouine Veteran Member • Posts: 3,871
Just having fun
2

Finally got the camera for my mom and decided to take a full auto shot and compare it with her older Canon S5 IS (full auto shot as well). For good measure, I included a picture from my iPhone 7 with digital zoom (my mom has an iPhone 6). These are zoomed pictures (not full zoom but about 1/3). My mom also had a Panasonic Lumix FZ35 but this camera in full auto mode was not even to take an acceptable picture of this (very old) thermometer so I didn't include it.

Here are the pictures:

S5 IS full auto mode (optical zoom)

SX620 HS full auto mode (optical zoom)

iPhone 7 (digital zoom)

Observations:

- A 10 year old camera beats a recent iPhone fair and square (obviously). People should not use them for documenting a family history over the years... Pictures just suck (but smartphones work great for landscapes with no zoom). Of course, I haven't tried the new iPhone with two lenses and some kind of "fake" depth of field. Maybe someone should post a picture for me.

- The SX620 behaved better than the S5 IS (and more pixels too). And much more simpler and compact (it fits in your pocket). Phewww.

- Both cameras had a hard time with that old thermometer in full auto mode regarding to shutter speed. I had to focus on the little girl then recompose to get a 1/60th of a second picture.

For those interested, I also have the same picture from the Powershot G16 and the Canon 7D. I also compared the G16 and the 7D in full auto mode vs TV mode. And I had the same issues with the G16 with regard to shutter speed. Only the 7D gave me the right shutter speed at all trials.

Conclusion: I am not giving any conclusion. You tell me!

-- hide signature --

Regards,
Why make it simple when it can be complicated?
Benji

 benjilafouine's gear list:benjilafouine's gear list
Canon PowerShot S5 IS Canon PowerShot SX110 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 Canon PowerShot G16 Canon EOS 40D +12 more
Fred_Last Contributing Member • Posts: 525
Re: Just having fun

I have no doubt about the IQ of the SX620. Performance aside, does your mom like it? (This is the main question).

To photographers with more experience who want control such as AV, TV, it is somewhat frustrating not to have access in this camera. But for people who want something better than a smartphone (optical zoom, better IQ) such as my young niece, without caring about how the pictures are taken, this is perfect.

I do not see "Sport" in the scene mode selection and I think Canon designed this camera for casual snaps and not for action photography. I guess you can change to "P" mode and crank up the ISO in order to get faster SS, but then things start to get finicky.

I2K4
I2K4 Senior Member • Posts: 1,441
Re: Just having fun

Interesting, but no surprise the S5IS, a bridge camera never intended to be used seriously on Auto, would be defeated by comparison on that standard. JPEG output can readily be modified with Func button settings for contrast, sharpness, saturation and RGB color/skin tone - these tend to be "set it and forget it" to user taste. I'd also bet the more automated new models, that deal with adversity by pumping ISO and smearing the noise down with NR, can create situational problems the older models can handle better. I've occasionally ask myself "What would Auto do?" but almost always move on from there to manual settings (including the CHDK enhancements) - with due deference to the Wisdom of the Great Algo. Same applies to my phone, for that matter.

OP benjilafouine Veteran Member • Posts: 3,871
Re: Just having fun

My mom loves it: it fits in her pocket and she doesn't have to care for the settings anymore which at her age is a big plus. This is why I bought this particular camera.

As for myself, I switched to the P mode after trying it for five minutes and yes, I missed the TV, AV and M modes. But hey, the camera was for her and three modes would have done nothing more for her. She was already struggling with her three previous digital cameras.

As you saw, the SX620 has a good overall quality in this difficult test and in my opinion, it was even better than the 7D and the G16 in auto mode. Of course, when I switched these two cameras to TV mode, they became much better although I am still struggling to determine a clear winner.

SX620 auto mode

7D TV mode

G16 TV mode

Which one is the best? Of course, I didn't take advantage of the RAW files and I didn't process the pictures other than cropping them.

-- hide signature --

Regards,
Why make it simple when it can be complicated?
Benji

 benjilafouine's gear list:benjilafouine's gear list
Canon PowerShot S5 IS Canon PowerShot SX110 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 Canon PowerShot G16 Canon EOS 40D +12 more
Fred_Last Contributing Member • Posts: 525
Re: Just having fun

benjilafouine wrote:

Which one is the best?

I never answer this type of question because it is all in the eye of the beholder. Sorry.

OP benjilafouine Veteran Member • Posts: 3,871
Re: Just having fun

Well, that's the point! I can't tell myself! However, if I used the RAW files from the G16 and the 7D, I am pretty sure I could make them look much better than a regular JPEG.

-- hide signature --

Regards,
Why make it simple when it can be complicated?
Benji

 benjilafouine's gear list:benjilafouine's gear list
Canon PowerShot S5 IS Canon PowerShot SX110 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 Canon PowerShot G16 Canon EOS 40D +12 more
I2K4
I2K4 Senior Member • Posts: 1,441
Re: Just having fun

benjilafouine wrote:

Well, that's the point! I can't tell myself! However, if I used the RAW files from the G16 and the 7D, I am pretty sure I could make them look much better than a regular JPEG.

'll just point out, the compact to achieve 1/60 (guessing a senior's practical slowest for handheld) pushed ISO to 800. Compare to the others. If I use Grape Nuts box lettering as the camera's "eye chart" I'd be prescribing eyeglasses for all but the DSLR.  (It is fun.)

OP benjilafouine Veteran Member • Posts: 3,871
Re: Just having fun

Yes, very good observation! So the DSLR still wins. However, if I compare the auto vs TV mode on the 7D, the auto mode seems better. But that could be me not achieving a good focus or that the picture was slightly underexposed.

I don't know if it's me but when I use TV with the built-in flash, I sometimes get underexposed pictures.

7D auto mode 1/60 f5.6

7D TV mode 1/125, f5.6

We clearly see that the TV mode is underexposed. Definitely from the flash unless the focus point changed?

-- hide signature --

Regards,
Why make it simple when it can be complicated?
Benji

 benjilafouine's gear list:benjilafouine's gear list
Canon PowerShot S5 IS Canon PowerShot SX110 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 Canon PowerShot G16 Canon EOS 40D +12 more
I2K4
I2K4 Senior Member • Posts: 1,441
Re: Just having fun

I rarely use flash, but my daughter (shoots events professionally) likes a "Fong" hot shoe mounted diffuser - I've improvised diffusers on my bridge cams with tissue paper or a handkerchief to tone down the on board flash.

OP benjilafouine Veteran Member • Posts: 3,871
Re: Just having fun

I have a Canon external flash and it usually gives me better results than the built-in flash but I didn't use it this time.

-- hide signature --

Regards,
Why make it simple when it can be complicated?
Benji

 benjilafouine's gear list:benjilafouine's gear list
Canon PowerShot S5 IS Canon PowerShot SX110 IS Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 Canon PowerShot G16 Canon EOS 40D +12 more
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