Best superzoom cameras
If you're shopping for a superzoom camera, you've come to the right place! At Camera Labs I write in-depth reviews of cameras but understand you're busy people who sometimes just want recommendations of the most outstanding products.
So here I'll cut to the chase and list the best superzoom cameras around right now. I've fully tested each one and there's links to my reviews for more details.
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| Panasonic ZS10 / TZ20 review |
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| The Lumix DMC-TZ20 / ZS10 is the latest model in Panasonic's enormously popular travel zoom series. It may physically resemble last year's TZ10 / ZS7, but now features a broader 16x optical zoom, a touch-screen display, Full HD 1080i video, 3D photo capture, and enhanced GPS capabilities. Under the hood is a new CMOS sensor which avoids vertical streaking in movies, while also supporting fast continuous shooting. Panasonic's necessarily raised its game in the face of tough competition, but the TZ20 / ZS10 suffers from disappointing image quality when viewed at 100% on-screen. It's a deal-breaker for pixel-peepers, but the vast majority won't notice, or simply be willing to trade it for the impressive feature-set. Recommended so long as you understand the downsides.
Pros: 16x stabilised zoom with 24mm; 1080i video; GPS.
Cons: Patchy image quality even at 100 ISO when viewed up close.
Overall: Pixel-peepers beware, but it remains a great choice for most.
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| Sony HX5 review |
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| Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-HX5 is the company's first pocketable super-zoom camera and it's hit the ground running. It features a 10x (25-250mm equivalent) optical zoom, a Full HD 1080i movie mode, very fast burst shooting at 10fps and a built-in GPS which can pinpoint the locations of your shots. The HX5 also exploits its fast burst shooting in modes which combine multiple frames to reduce noise, or automatically generate panoramas with a simple sweep of the camera. Despite also recording altitude details, the GPS feels less integrated than the TZ20 / ZS10 above, but overall it's a highly compelling pocket super-zoom camera. The release of the newer HX9V has also seen the HX5 fall to bargain prices.
Pros: 10x zoom, 1080i video, 10fps burst, GPS, clever modes.
Cons: GPS less integrated than TZ20 / ZS10. Limited manual control.
Overall: A great all-round compact that's packed with innovation.
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| Panasonic FZ150 review |
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| The Panasonic Lumix FZ150 makes a critical improvement over its predecessor, the FZ100, to become arguably the best all-round super-zoom camera on the market today. The earlier FZ100 was already feature-packed with a great quality 24x zoom, articulated 3in screen, flash hotshoe, external microphone input, and RAW recording capabilities, but suffered from disappointing image quality. Now Panasonic has fitted a new 12 Mpixel CMOS sensor and the quality has improved by leaps and bounds. The new sensor also supports 1080p video and fast bursts of 12 frames at up to 12fps, along with a very usable 5.5fps option with AF. Enthusiasts and video-philes will happily trade the bigger zooms of rival models for the power and control of the FZ150.
Pros: 24x zoom; RAW; 1080p movies; hotshoe; mic input.
Cons: 24x is a shorter range than rival models.
Overall: Arguably the best all-round super-zoom around. |
| Canon SX40 HS review |
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| Canon's PowerShot SX40 HS takes the earlier SX30 IS with its whopping 35x optical zoom and switches the 14 Megapixel CCD for a 12 Megapixel CMOS sensor. In tests this really does allow the SX40 HS to enjoy lower noise levels than before although the JPEG image quality is roughly similar to the Panasonic FZ150. The CMOS sensor also allows the SX40 HS to support 1080p video at 24p, a pair of slow motion modes at 120 and 240fps, and fast continuous shooting bursts of eight frames at 10.3fps. The screen is fairly average at just 2.7in / 230k and the SX40 HS is also looking out-featured by the Panasonic FZ150, but there's no denying the draw of a 35x optical zoom range which is equivalent to 24-840mm. If having the maximum zoom range is most important to you, then it's a great choice, but again do compare closely with the Panasonic FZ150.
Pros: 35x zoom; articulated screen; flash hotshoe; 1080p video.
Cons: No RAW recording; average screen.
Overall: A great choice for those who value the biggest zooms.
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| Sony HX100V review |
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| The HX100V is Sony's first DSLR-styled superzoom since the HX1 back in 2009, during which time Canon and Panasonic have further established their strong positions in this market. But the HX100V pulls no punches and packs the usual array of features we've come to expect from Sony, including a 30x optical zoom range, 16 Megapixel CMOS sensor, 1080p video, 10fps shooting (for ten frames), high resolution 3in tilting screen, 1080p video and built-in GPS. You also get Sony's industry-leading iSweep Panorama mode which can assemble a good-looking panoramic image seconds after you swing the camera in an arc. Downsides? Well it unceremoniously prods the lens cap off when powering-up and there's no hotshoe or RAW recording. But it's a great all-round super-zoom with some unrivalled gadgetry.
Pros: 30x zoom; 1080p; GPS; tilting screen; auto panoramas.
Cons: No RAW or hotshoe; noisier images than rivals.
Overall: A good all-rounder for those who like gadgets. |
| Panasonic ZS8 / TZ18 review |
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Panasonic's Lumix DMC-ZS8 / TZ18 is a simpler and more affordable version of the flagship ZS10 / TZ20 pocket super-zoom. It gives budget-conscious buyers exactly the same 16x optical range packed into the same compact body for a price that's around one quarter less. The resolution is also the same at 14.1 Megapixels, and some enthusiasts may actually prefer the image characteristics of its CCD sensor compared to the (C)MOS sensor in the ZS10 / TZ20. So as a no-frills super-zoom, it fits the bill, at least on paper anyway: you get the same zoom, same resolution, same auto and manual modes, and same body as the top-model, but at a cheaper price. It may be lacking the extensive feature-set of the ZS10 / TZ20, but you may not want or need it.
Pros: 16x stabilised zoom with 24mm; 720p video.
Cons: Slow burst shooting; modest 230k screen.
Overall: Ideal if you want the ZS10 / TZ20's zoom without the frills. |
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