Which Camera is better, Cannon 1200D SLR or Cannon PowerShot SX50 HS?

Question

So I am looking for a budget camera and I have seen these two cannon cameras,

1) http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras/digital-cameras/bridge-cameras/canon-powershot-sx50-hs-bridge-camera-19161268-pdt.html#cat-0

2)http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_SLR/EOS_1200D/index.aspx

I primarily want to use the camera for plane spotting. With this I will be taking pictures at all hours of the day so needs to be capable of night capturing, as well as this I will take pictures of ground movement and in the air shots so the zoom is important (I have seen a few good lenses for this). Although I am only starting out as a beginner I will be doing it fairly regularly and I want to buy a half decent camera now which will last me a good while so I can just upgrade the lenses. I also am travelling to New Zealand for a few months so I want to be able to get some decent class of photos from there. I may also use it for videos.
I know I cant expect a professional finish without the skill I just want a good camera for these photos which will perform in low light but on a small budget (originally i budgeted £200). Hopefully someone who knows a bit about photography can tell me if these are what im looking for?

Also I did look at this bridge camera, which I was mainly put off by the limited quality and lack of interchangeable lenses.
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras/digital-cameras/bridge-cameras/canon-powershot-sx520-bridge-camera-10030266-pdt.html#cat-0

Answer 1

Instead of the 1200D vs the SX50 (which is like comparing a Mazda Miata to a golf cart), a better match to the 1200D would be the Pentax K50 (which is more like comparing a BMW 1 series to the Miata).

For what you want to do, the K50 or K5IIs (recently reduced by $400) are better because of:

Built-in image stabilization which will allow you to shoot 4 stops lower ISO than the Canon. And at sunset or later, that could be the difference between ISO200 on the Pentax as opposed to ISO3200 on the Canon. Since you're going to be using strong lenses, image stabilization will allow you to hand hold the camera and lens instead of having to put it on a tripod. Be aware that no image stabilization technology on any camera or in any lens by any manufacturer to date can be used while the camera is mounted to a tripod. Because the K50 and K5IIs both have the IS system in the bodies, you get IS with any lens that fits the Pentax thus giving you far more options.

The Pentax also has a faster continuous shooting too: 1200D 3 fps; Pentax K50 - 6 fps; K5IIs - 7 fps.

The 1200D top shutter speed is 1/4000th; Pentax K50 is 1/6000th; K5IIs is 1/8000th.

The Pentax bodies have a faster AF system as well.

Pentax is sold in a kit or body only, while I think that the 1200D is only sold in a kit. This is, of course, fine unless you don't want or need the kit lens.

All Pentax DSLR cameras are weather and dust proof, so it'll be no problem to shoot in misty or raining weather.

The LCD screens on the Pentax k50/k5iis have twice the resolution as the 1200D.

The K50 and K5IIs have a better viewfinder which shows 100% of what the sensor sees vs 95% on the Canon.



You should serious consider the K50 or the K5IIs.



Here's a side-by-side comparison: http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=canon_eos1200d&products=pentax_k50&products=pentax_k5iis

Here's a comparison of the K50 & 1200D sensors: http://www.digicamdb.com/compare/pentax_k-50-vs-canon_eos-rebel-t5/

And the K5II vs 1200D sensors - http://www.digicamdb.com/compare/pentax_k-5-ii-vs-canon_eos-rebel-t5/

Answer 2

The DSLR has a much larger sensor, therefore it is a much better camera.



The PowerShot would be better for you because of its zoom lens, it's good for birders, and hobbyists like you. It doesn't take particularly good photos, but since that's not your major concern, it would probably do for you, although perhaps you need to know that moving planes at full zoom are probably going to just be a blur.



To get an equivalent lens for a DSLR, with the same focal length (a 1200mm lens) it would cost you tens of thousands of pounds, in fact when new they cost around £60K and that was in the 1990s. Canon no longer makes it, It was called the Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 L USM -



Wanna know what one looks like?

Answer 3

Well, the 1200D is a better camera. However, its larger sensor makes lens design much more complicated than just scaling up. A lens for the 1200D that matches the long focal lengths of the SX50 HS would be very expensive. However, other than in bright daylight you will not get a fast enough shutter speed to get decent sharpness hand held at the long focal lengths of the SX50 HS. With magnification comes magnification of camera shake.

Answer 4

Cannons are guns. Canon makes cameras. Repeat until you get it right.



The Canon 1200D is the better camera because of its larger sensor and the flexibility of interchangeable lenses. It will have better image quality and low light performance.



The only advantage of the SX50 is the zoom. If that is what you want, then it is the only choice.

Answer 5

A lot of airplane shooting lately!



Forget the SX50 HS. You can't rely on it much in low light.



The bundled lens of the 1200D is not enough for you to get close. You will have to buy a longer and much more expensive lens to get desirable results. Consider getting this instead.



http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1063522-REG/pentax_10874_k_50_black_300w_zoom.html

Answer 6

In absolute terms, the DSLR wins hands down - if you're willing to put in the time and effort to learn how to get the best out of it.



Why only Canon, though ?

Answer 7

CamerasDeals

Answer 8

both are good