image stablization

[debbie]

For all the shutterbugs out there. How important is it that your camera have the image stableizer??
My current one does not have this feature, but I would like to know what you all think.
There was a shot just posted here using a Canon A630, it does not have image stablization and the shots are nice and clear.
When I use my Sony with no zoom and move close to the tank I get alot of noise no matter what I do.
My Sony takes great pictures outside but not happy with the inside but it is an old beast anyways.

 

[05xrunner]

its just a crutch..its not something to mean you will get agood pic.
When i am buying lens for my 30D there is the Non IS and the IS lens..usually the IS lens are a few hundred dollars more and well to me are not worth it. Its anice feature but I dont miss not having it. Tripod and a monopod work just as good and sometimes better and cost WAY less and work on all lens
It helps at times but just dont jump in thinking since you have IS all your pics should be good.
IS has nothing to do with noise. Noise is the sensor. if your have to high an ISO setting on those Point and Shoot the sensor will be very noisy. Sony chips are a noisy chip. Zoom and IS wont cause noise. Bad exposure and to high ISO will. You also might be getting to close and closer then the minimum focus distance. read in your manual to see what the limit is on how close you can get.

 

[traps]

I'm with 05xrunner, IS isn't really needed. Whether its a DSLR or just a point-and-shoot. Sometimes IS can hurt a picture, say when your trying to take a picture of a flame from a candle.

 

[debbie]

With all the hype over megapixels today I would like to ask you a question.
My current camer is: Sony DSC-P71, 3.2 MP, 3x Optical zoom, 6x precision digital zoom. This is an older camera now.
If I were to look at this: 7.1 MP, 5x optical zoom would I be gaining anything of great value compared to what I currently have??

 

[05xrunner]

MegaPixles dont mean squat unless you plan on blowing up pics very large. Or if you wanna do heavier cropping on pics. Anything over 3mp will give you same results for web viewing. Dont get caught up in them. Thats probably the last thing I would be concerned about. I would be more into finding out how clean the sensor is of noise at higher ISO, focus system and things like that

 

[debbie]

Originally Posted by 05xrunner
I would be more into finding out how clean the sensor is of noise at higher ISO, focus system and things like that
Okay, what would I be looking for as far as the ratings go regarding this??

 

[05xrunner]

dpreview.com
they have pretty decent ratings. They will show you test results at different ISO and everything you wanna know.

 

[debbie]

Can you just explain to me what you mean by "How clean the sensor is"?
I have been on that site for days now, they have everything one needs to know about cameras that is for sure. But it is the little details like you have mentioned that I don't really understand.
Sorry to be a pain....

 

[05xrunner]

clean as in how clean the image is at Higher ISO settings.
Here is a Noisy pic next to a clean pic..This is what happens when you turn up the ISO giving the sensor more juice to get a faster shutter speed with lower lighting.
This is what noise is..see how much static it looks like on an image. It takes away detail on the image.

 

[debbie]

Thanks for that reply. So comparing the SLR to the Compacts, will the Compacts always have more noise in their pictures than the SLR's or is a matter of they type of camera??

 

[05xrunner]

yes..I can shoot at ISO 1600 and have less noise then that. Most P&S anything over 400 is pretty much a useless picture. P&S have a much smaller sensor then a DSLR and cause alot more noise since they are cramming soo many more pixels in a smaller area then a DSLR sensor. its a trade off. P&S and your done but will lack ability for alot of low light and miss alot of action. DSLR lens start to get VERY expensive plus they are much bigger.