Super Zoom Compact Camera Group Test

January 15 2009, 11:17am

Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) tested another seven compact cameras that belong to the ‘Super Zoom’ range. These are digicams that sport 14.7x to 20x optical zoom. Super Zoom Compacts Tested:

Canon Powershot SX10 IS – 10MP, 20x zoom, 2.5” display, $350
Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD - 10MP, 14.7x zoom, 2.7” display, $270
Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd - 10MP, 18x zoom, 2.5” display, $250
Nikon Coolpix P80 – 10.1MP, 18x zoom, 2.7” display, $340
Olympus SP-565UZ - 10MP, 20x zoom, 2.5” display, $300
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 – 10.1MP, 18x zoom, 2.7” display, $325
Sony Cybershot DSC-H50 – 9.1MP, 15x zoom, 3” display, $350

The cheapest was the Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd, while the most expensive were the Canon Powershot SX10 IS and Sony Cybershot DSC-H50. The winners of the group test were the Canon Powershot SX10 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28: “I mentioned earlier that three cameras consistently outperformed the rest of the group. Of these three the Sony H50 lost marks for its smaller zoom range, fiddly controls and tiny, low resolution viewfinder (it also has the most destructive noise reduction and least effective image stabilization of the trio), leaving the Canon SX10 IS and Panasonic FZ28 vying for the top spot. … the SX10 IS may win on points, but the FZ28 puts up quite a fight, and is the one we’d pick up when going for a walk and didn’t fancy carrying an SLR. Two very impressive cameras; all the more so considering their sub-$350 price ticket, and both easy recommendations.”  [dpreview | Compact Camera Group Test Group 5: SLR-like ’super zoom’ cameras]

Some may ask, “What do I need a digicam that has super zoom?”. Well, these are very handy for taking photos during a school play, sport activity, or any event that limits you to take pictures at a distance. If you ever took some pictures of your kid/nephew/niece on the stage during a school presentation held in a large venue, you’d know what I mean. So, if you need a super zoom compact camera, your best choices would be the Canon Powershot SX10 IS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28. Technorati: super zoom digital compact camera Tags: camera