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| Nikon B700 |
In the previous post I described most of the long zoom, small sensor cameras which are currently available.
These cameras have the so-called “1/2.3 inch” sensor which has no fixed size but most of the recent versions from Sony measure 4.55 x 6.17mm giving a diagonal of 7.67mm and an area of 28 square millimetres.
Sony makes versions with 12, 16, 18 and 20 Mpx.
These sensors give an image aspect ratio of 3:4 although astute observers will have noticed that the quoted dimensions of the chip actually have a ratio of 3:4.068. Presumably the extra bit of width has an important functional role.
In recent times cameras with the so-called “one inch” sensor have become popular. The various versions of this sensor, also made by Sony, have a 2:3 aspect ratio and measure 8.8 x 13.2mm giving a diagonal of 15.9mm and an area of 116 square millimetres.
This is approximately 2.1 times the diagonal of the 7.67mm sensor and 4.1 times the area.
Not surprisingly the larger sensor gives better picture quality at all ISO settings, with lower luminance noise, better color depth and (usually) better highlight and shadow detail (dynamic range).
So why would anybody buy a camera with the smaller sensor size ?
There could be various reasons of course. For instance cameras with the small sensor usually cost less than those with a larger sensor. Also they will be smaller for any given lens focal length and aperture range.
But the main reason is zoom range.
These cameras can pack into a small body zoom lenses the like of which was unheard of a few years ago.
We now have inexpensive consumer cameras with lenses zooming out to (35mm equivalent) 1200, 1440 and even 2000mm.
These have a zoom range of 50 x, 60 x and up to 83 x. Amazing stuff.
A 2000mm lens for the 35mm format, if such a thing existed, would require a pack horse to carry it and cost as much as a high end luxury car.
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| FZ300 |
The Panasonic FZ300 was released in 2015. This is an update of the 2012 FZ200 using the same 12 Mp sensor and (equivalent) 25-600mm constant f2.8 lens.
The FZ300 has an upgraded body with better ergonomics, weathersealing, a faster processor, DFD focussing and 4K video plus many other features.
It is a very good camera……BUT…….
The FZ1000 which is only about 23% larger, heavier and more expensive, offers better picture quality up to a focal length of (effective) 600mm, better performance and better ergonomics.
The only feature which I might have wanted which the FZ300 has but the FZ1000 does not have is weathersealing.
So the FZ1000 stayed in my camera drawer and the FZ300 did not.
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| B700 hot summers day, hand held |
My ideas for a FZ400
For birds, wildlife, sport, action and similar the camera needs a longer lens.
The FZ200/300 lens has a filter size of 52mm.
I think Panasonic could increase the focal length to (equivalent) 800mm with a filter size of about 62mm (the same as the FZ1000) and still keep the f2.8 aperture. The larger entry diameter would probably also allow a wider aperture at the short end of the zoom, perhaps f2.5.
Maybe even 1000mm at f3.5 or f4 might be possible.
I think that would make the camera much more interesting for potential users.
The models with a longer zoom range all have an aperture in the f6.x range at the long end which restricts their usefulness for the very purposes which require a long lens, unless photographing distant statues is your thing.
I have used several of these long lens cameras and found that they get difficult to use above about 800mm focal length.
The subject is difficult to locate in the viewfinder and even more difficult to follow when it moves.
The second thing I would like to see in a FZ400 is the latest 20 Mpx sensor.
Conventional wisdom says that the 20 Mpx sensor should have more luminance noise than the 12 Mpx version.
But my experience with all versions of the 7.67mm sensor (12, 16, 18 and 20 Mpx) is that the latest 20 Mpx version in the Nikon B700 has less noise at any matched print output size than all the versions with lower pixel counts.
The third thing which I would like to see in a FZ400 is higher optical quality in the lens.
It is my impression that the two key factors holding back picture quality in the small sensor cameras are luminance noise and lens quality.
None of the 7.67 mm sensor cameras which I have tested (P900, B700, SX60, TZ70, TZ80, FZ200, FZ300, FZ70) has a lens to equal that on the FZ1000 for resolution and contrast.
Of course if Panasonic did these three things the result would be a larger, heavier and more expensive camera.
So be it, say I, but maybe others might not agree.
But think about it…..800mm f2.8…..that would really be something.
It would give the FZ400 a market niche occupied by nothing else and make for a camera with considerable appeal for general photography with the bonus of being ideal for sport, wildlife, birds and action.