SuperZoom Camera

Kunoichi73

Hi Folks,

My old camera is on the blink (the zoom function has started to play up) and, since the camera is 9 years old, I am thinking of replacing it. Ideally I want something with a really good zoom on it but don't want to have to change lenses. I've been looking at some of the SuperZoom models (x40, x50, x60+) and was wondering if anyone could offer some advice on which model might be a good investment and where would be good good place to buy it.

Thank you for your help with this!

kwikbreaks

Ask yourself why you need that sort of zoom. A big zoom will introduce a degree of distortions and chromatic aberration and at those big zooms you'll need some sort of stabilisation and good light.

There are reasons for using this sort of camera but they are a poor choice for general purpose usage imo.

I have one which I use during birdwatching - with the zoom available I can get image sizes that would be comparable to a very expensive DSLR lens and I use them for later identification (I'm not that good a twitcher) while a more normal zoom would only give images a few pixels square. The thing about those pictures though is that the quality isn't that good and not really what you'd want to print or necessarily keep. For general photography I have a DSLR and also a small compact for ease of carrying. Plus of course a smartphone for always available if not brilliant quality.

My big zoom camera is a Canon SX510HS which I bought from Argos for a tad under £100 a year or so ago after brief price and review checks.

Kunoichi73

Thank you. I want a camera for my holidays and work. My trips are usually to off the beaten track type locations e.g. I went to Iran last year and am thinking of Ethiopia this year. I want a camera that is flexible enough to cope with city sightseeing, monuments, wildlife and museums. I don't want to spend a fortune because I am very much a point and shoot photographer and I don't want something big and bulky with multiple lenses to have to change. What would people recommend would be my best bet? My price range would be up to around £300.

Shimrod

Here's a couple of links with group 'best of' reviews which should give you a good starting point. I can't recommend one myself as I use a DSLR.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2016-roundup-consumer-long-zoom-compacts
http://www.cameralabs.com/buyers_guide/compacts/best_compact_digital_camera.shtml

[Deleted User]

I've got the Fujifilm FinePix SL1000 Bridge Camera.

16.2 Megapixels.

50x optical zoom - 24-1200mm.

Full HD Video with stereo sound.

3" tilting screen and colour LCD viewfinder.

Now discontinued, but still plenty around.

[Deleted User]

I'd be tempted to get a Panasonic TZ70 - they're about £240ish - http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Panasonic/Panasonic-Compact-Cameras/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-TZ70

But I like Pannys.. and they invented the 'travel compact' sized camera. I can't really see the point in big zoom myself, and I get by with 4x. Then again, i've got a f1.4 lens on my compact camera so it absolutely rocks in low light.

EssexExile

Another vote for Panasonic, I'm on my fourth. Unlike others I find the big zooms really useful. I have the TZ60 which has the 30x zoom & the image quality is perfectly adequate for my needs. The added bonuses are the viewfinder, that you can't be without in sunny places, & the fact that it is small enough to slip into your pocket.

photodgm

Kunoichi73 wrote: »

Hi Folks,

My old camera is on the blink (the zoom function has started to play up) and, since the camera is 9 years old, I am thinking of replacing it. Ideally I want something with a really good zoom on it but don't want to have to change lenses. I've been looking at some of the SuperZoom models (x40, x50, x60+) and was wondering if anyone could offer some advice on which model might be a good investment and where would be good good place to buy it.

Thank you for your help with this!

It would be helpful if you could tell us what subjects you prefer to photograph, how portable you wish the camera to be, an idea of how much you wish to spend and what you wish to do with the results ie share them on the internet, look at them on a tablet, laptop or computer, or print them and if so at what size.

A._Badger

And another vote for Panasonic. If I'm serious about taking pictures I take a Nikon DSLR but for casual use a pocketable Panasonic TZ60 produces very acceptable quality and places far less strain on your shoulder than a bag full of lenses.

Le_Kirk

photodgm wrote: »

It would be helpful if you could tell us what subjects you prefer to photograph, how portable you wish the camera to be, an idea of how much you wish to spend and what you wish to do with the results ie share them on the internet, look at them on a tablet, laptop or computer, or print them and if so at what size.

Most answers to be found in post #3

Kunoichi73

photodgm wrote: »

It would be helpful if you could tell us what subjects you prefer to photograph, how portable you wish the camera to be, an idea of how much you wish to spend and what you wish to do with the results ie share them on the internet, look at them on a tablet, laptop or computer, or print them and if so at what size.

Kunoichi73 wrote: »

Thank you. I want a camera for my holidays and work. My trips are usually to off the beaten track type locations e.g. I went to Iran last year and am thinking of Ethiopia this year. I want a camera that is flexible enough to cope with city sightseeing, monuments, wildlife and museums. I don't want to spend a fortune because I am very much a point and shoot photographer and I don't want something big and bulky with multiple lenses to have to change. What would people recommend would be my best bet? My price range would be up to around £300.

For viewing the photos, I'll either print them (small photo size - not blown up or anything) or view them on my laptop (possibly with a connection to the TV).

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions so far.