What is the difference between these 2 Canon cameras?
Canon PowerShot 12.1MP 35X Optical Zoom Digital Camera with 2.7" Vari-Angle LCD (SX40 HS) vs. Canon Rebel
I just went to Africa with the Nikon J1 and liked it but I plan on going back to Africa soon and my friend that I travelled with had the Powershot and I had camera envy because of the zoom capabilities but I don't know what the difference between the PowerShot and the Rebel is and what sort of advantages one would offer over the other. High quality photos, quick picture taking capabilities, stabilizing to keep from blurring and fantastic zoom are my top priorities. Thoughts?
One is a point and shoot while the other is a DSLR. Completely different types of cameras.
The Canon Powershot Sx40 IS is what is known as a bridge camera. It normally has a long zoom (from say a 28mm wide angle to a long distance telephoto) lens. The lens is NOT removable!
The "die hard's" on this site will tell you that a DSLR camera, which is a camera where the lens is removable, and can be replace by any number of lenses for specialized purposes, is the best way to go. Technically they are right in terms of quality. But if you are shooting professionally, a "DSLR"is all but mandatory. DSLR's also have a larger sensor about the same size as the old 35mm format. This is what really helps a camera shine in terms of quality. But they can also be a "money pit". Very expensive to "support"!
When you mention "quick picture taking capabilities", my mind focused on the Canon Powershot SX40 IS. Especially since you do not have to stop to change a lens!
You need to visit places that have these two cameras and spend some time with them. I would even go so far and to purchase two SD memory cards and label them for each camera and take some pictures in the store with each memory card. And then go and have an 11x14 print made from each memory card to see the quality difference. The cost? About $4.00 a print. Well worth the $8.00 in my opinion!
Of course I'm the odd man out on this forum, but sharpness and quality is the end result and is my most important consideration!
Your zoom envy would have quickly disappeared had you seen that the photos taken by the SX40 will not be as sharp as those by your Nikon 1. You can't tell the differences in the 3" camera LCD, but in an enlargement, the lens limitation will quickly become apparent.
Those high power zoom lenses are not that great. Generally, the higher the power, the worse the optics. That is why you never see DSLR owners have 35x lenses (other than the prohibitive cost to make one to the quality standards DSLR owners would demand).