The pics in this blog post were taken with a Canon EOS R100 with a RF-S 18-45mm kit lens. One of the lowest cost cameras using new mirrorless technology. Ideal for beginner and hobby photographers. This was on my first day of using it, without working out all the settings yet. I have left the pics uncropped, so you can see how much the subject fills the frame. I've tweaked the images slightly with Photoshop Elements. I have reduced the file size for the internet. After being disappointed with a second-hand Canon 1500D (slow, noisy, clunky, bulky), the sales assistant suggested a mirrorless with a RF-S 18-45mm kit lens under NZ $1000 on a special deal. I tried out their demo camera and the speed of focus was like lightning in comparison to the DSLR (which was like a mechanical snail). With many more focus points. Plus the camera was smaller and lighter, which is my preference. In New Zealand, where I shopped, new Canon cameras come with a 5-year warranty, whereas Nikon only comes with a one-year warranty, which is why I went with Canon. I think it takes good pics of reasonably close subjects. I used it hand-held, so possibly sharper images could be obtained with a tripod (I can't be bothered using one when out and about). I wanted a bigger sensor than my Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 for better quality pics of my paintings, plus more megapixels for larger images in JPEG in case I want to do high resolution prints. The Lumix is a superzoom bridge camera and has been so versatile with even getting good bird pics for low cost. I haven't figured out all the settings yet, so this is my first day of using the R100 with the kit lens, which I knew wouldn't be much good for birds. With a 45mm maximum lens, the bird can't be zoomed in on much. There probably isn't a heck of a lot of difference with these pics and a cheaper point-and-shoot pocket camera. As you can see below, this lens doesn't have far enough zoom for birds. I am not familiar with the camera settings yet to quickly adjust them, hence a blurry bird (tui) launching into flight. I wasn't actually expecting much with birds with this lens. Normally, I would choose a higher shutter speed to reduce blurring. This was a pic taken in low lighting. I managed to figure out the exposure compensation setting, as it was too dark with the histogram. The ISO has increased to 6400. It's grainy but nowhere near as much as the Lumix would be in similar lighting conditions. The store gave me a $150 giftcard, so I will be putting it towards a RF-S 55-210mm lens, which will zoom into birds more but still won't be ideal. I expect I will use this lens more than the 18-45mm lens.
If you're wondering what the -S lenses are, they are lighter weight, smaller, less expensive lenses for cameras with 'crop sensors'. Unfortunately, there aren't many lenses available for this sized-sensor. The larger lenses do fit but then that's getting into heavier gear. Professional photographers use full format sensors with the more expensive, heavier, lenses with lots of glass and metal. Hopefully, I can get a refund for the second-hand DSLR. Otherwise, I will onsell it with the EF-S lens that goes up to 250mm. I expect I will mostly use the Lumix for bird photography. The Lumix also has touchscreen focus. The R100 lacks this. If you want a touch screen and a flip screen, then the next model up is the R50. I will continue to use my Lumix as well, especially for birds.
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Xanthe Wyse('Zan-thee Wise'). Disclaimer: the author of this blog is not an expert by profession and her opinions should not be taken as expert advice.
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