Sports (Rodeo) Photos

[squaney]

I want a digital camera to take both outdoor and indoor fast action rodeo photos. I have been doing lots of research but it all boils down to the fact that I am really confussed. I think I want at least a 4 megapixel model with a 5x optical or higher (preferable) zoom. Stable image is a must. Can someone please help guide me? I just don't want to spend several hundred dollars and find out that I don't have a fast enough shutter speed or something else I should have checked out. Thanks!

[John_Reed]

I want a digital camera to take both outdoor and indoor fast action rodeo photos. I have been doing lots of research but it all boils down to the fact that I am really confussed. I think I want at least a 4 megapixel model with a 5x optical or higher (preferable) zoom. Stable image is a must. Can someone please help guide me? I just don't want to spend several hundred dollars and find out that I don't have a fast enough shutter speed or something else I should have checked out. Thanks!Well, you won't find any fixed-lens cameras with faster lenses than the Panasonic DMC-FZ15 (4MP) and DMC-FZ20 (5MP). These two cameras would give you the fastest shutter speeds available (and both perform acceptably at ISO 400, about the limit for fixed-lens cameras). Both have image stabilization. The FZ20 has a slightly longer zoom reach than does the FZ15, (432mm vs. 420mm) but I doubt if that would be a major difference for your purposes. I think that for outdoor shots during the day, you'd be fine with either of those choices. On the other hand, when it gets darker, at night or indoors, and the shutter speeds start slowing down to below 1/100 of a second, you might be frustrated in trying to capture fast action. Image stabilization only stabilizes the shooter, not the subject. If so, you should consider raising your sights to a dSLR, such as the Canon EOS-20D or the Nikon D70, which will allow you to bolt on a long lens, and let you take shots at up to ISO 1600, something which no fixed-lens camera can offer you. A lot more money, when you consider the cost of everything you need, but maybe a lot less frustration and better results might be worth the extra investment?