Have and issue... new camera??

Question

I little issue...

I have a Sony DSC-H9 8 MP and 15x Zoom

I'm thinking to upgrade to a Digital Reflex..

my options are a D60 with 18-55 and 55 - 200 lens

or Sony A350..

But... I use a lot the zoom.. can you tell me if my lens configuration are rigth for me... or do i have to spend on a 300mm or more lenses.

Another thing.. how much is 15x Zoom on Reflex cameras..like 300mm?? 400mm??.

Thanks

Answer 1

There are two things to consider. First, the zoom ratio. This is the difference in a zoom lens from the lowest focal length to the highest. For example, a 28-280mm zoom lens would have a 10X zoom ratio. The highest focal length of 280mm is 10X the lowest 28mm focal length. Second, many would argue that a focal length of 50mm gives actual size view to an image. That mean that a with 50mm would be 1X. Assuming this is true, that would mean a lens with 750mm focal length would have a 15X zoom (50X15=750) equivalent to a point and shoot digicam.

You are better off going to a camera store and handling a few cameras and lenses. This way you can see exactly what you will be getting and how the lenses will perform. Others have asked this question and some expressed disappointment in the performance of zoom lenses on DSLR cameras, compared to point and shoot.  

Answer 2

Lenses are not cheap. So if money is no object go with the D60. You'll be able to take lots of different types of pictures but may not be able to get to 15X zoom without spending big bucks. If you're not a serious photographer go cheap. The pictures will be just as appealing even if they don't have the professional look.  

Answer 3

you really don't need anything more that a  200 lens so the 55-200 lens is good! but the aperture is not so good, so you can't really take good pics at dark places! or freeze the action. Zoom is what most people look for, but really look for lenses with wide aperture, although they cost more, because they are much better! look for the 70-200 f/2.8 lens! that one is the best, and pretty much all you need, other than a wide angle lens, to take close pics

about the 15x zoom thing, I'm still looking for that answer, but I think that depends on the camera model!

Answer 4

Zoom multiplication is really a loose term. For example, 10X zoom can mean 28-280mm or 35-350mm. For the H9, 15X means 31-465mm equivalent. The D60 with the 18-55 and 55-200 combination would give you approximately 11.1X zoom (27-300 equivalent).

I believe Tamron just introduced the first 15X "super zoom" DSLR lens available in the Nikon and Canon mount:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0807/080730...

If you want quality though, super-zooms shouldn't be on your mind. To get the same field of view of the H9 at the telephoto end you'll need something equivalent to 465mm. A 300mm is close to this for Nikon and Sony DSLRs.