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General discussion

Replacement for Nikon P100?

by kathywisc Dec 30, 2010 8:59PM PST

Can anyone suggest a replacement for my new P100? I love the super zoom and like the viewfinder. However, it takes lousy pictures! I've poured over the manual, tried different settings, and the only pics to come out clear and sharp are in macro. I'm looking for something in the same price range, with a viewfinder, super zoom, decent low light photos.

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7 Posts
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Nikon P100
by snapshot2 Forum moderator Dec 30, 2010 11:47PM PST

I have to agree with you, I am disappointed with the quality of the photos from the P100.

Too much noise and there is a lack of detail.

Take a look at the Canon SX20IS, it makes very sharp pictures with no noticeable noise at normal settings.

There is now a Canon SX30IS, but the picture quality is not as good as the SX20IS.
The SX30IS has a 14 megapixel sensor and the SX20IS has a 12 megapixel sensor.
The 14 meg sensor produces more noise and Canon applies firmware noise reduction to make the noise less noticeable. That causes a loss of detail.

As for low light, I don't know of any big zoom camera that is better in low light than any other.

If you want good results in low light, use a tripod.
You need a tripod also when you are zooming (any camera) more than 10X.

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Replacement for Nikon P100?
by kathywisc Dec 31, 2010 12:32AM PST

Thanks, snapshot2. The P100 is a fun toy, love all the bells and whistles, but what good is a camera if it takes poor pictures? (I don't understand CNET's high rating on this one). I often print 4x6, sometimes as large as 8x10, so I really don't use the high megapixel. My old Kodak Z740 took better pictures than this one. I'll check out the Canon SX20IS. I don't know why it's so difficult to find digital camera ratings on how good the pictures are.

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fuji hs10
by chickenorfish Jan 1, 2011 6:05PM PST

fuji hs10 maybe?

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Replacement for Nikon P100?
by kathywisc Jan 1, 2011 9:46PM PST

So far, I've been looking at the Canon SX20IS, The Panasonic FZ35, and I'll check out the Fuji HS10. They all have the features I want, but I'm beginning to thing that no superzoom has the image quality I want.

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Super Zoom
by snapshot2 Forum moderator Jan 1, 2011 10:46PM PST

Most shots, while using a big zoom, will not be sharp unless you are using a tripod.
You are subject to camera motion which produces a fuzzy picture.
No one can hold a camera steady (enough) to prevent some camera motion when using lots of zoom.
If you are shooting in bright sunlight, you have a better chance because the camera will select a faster shutter speed in bright sunlight.

Also, be sure to check the camera and make sure that "digital zoom" is turned off.
Digital zoom degrades the image.

I suggest you do a few trial shots using a tripod, to find out if the camera is at fault or camera motion is at fault.
If you don't have a tripod, set the camera on a solid surface.
Then use the 10 second delay to trip the shutter.
That way you will not be touching the camera when the shutter trips.
You will get a picture that is not influenced by a person, and you will see how good of a picture your camera can produce.

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Replacement for Nikon P100?
by kathywisc Jan 2, 2011 12:34AM PST

Thanks, snapshot2. I've had an OlympusC2100 and a KodakZ740, both super zooms, at the time. I never use digital zoom (I turn it off), because the pictures are unusable. With the Z740, I could crop and enlarge at almost full zoom, and still get a sharp print. The P100 won't give me that, at half zoom.

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replacement for nikonp100
by yvm2001 Jan 3, 2011 1:56PM PST

dear i do same ques which one is good between cannon sx30 or olympus sp800uz

so snapshot reply me that image quality of olympus sp800 is better than cannaon so if view finder is not priority then u can get for sp800 cause it is light weight also and its FPS speed is also fast the only thing i cant understand that why cnet didnt review olympus so800uz till now even its release date is early than sx30

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