Best optical zoom on sub-$400 digicam

[verve247]

I'm looking for a moderately priced digital camera that has a high optical zoom. The standard seems to be 4 or less. Can anyone recommend one that has a higher zoom?

[zippyjuan]

This is one I was considering: the Canon S1 IS. It has a 10x optical zoom as well as image stablisation technology which means you can hold it steadier at the longer focal lengths (it compensates for camera movement). One thing I did not like as much is that it is only three megapixels, but most of the under $400 zoom cameras are. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons1is/

Here is a Buying Guide where you can put in the options you want (like "Zoom > 200mm" and "Price Under $400") and it will generate a list of cameras to compare and include reviews for many. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

Update: Here is another one to look at: http://www.megapixel.net/cgi-bin/fs_loader.pl?p=http%3A//www.megapixel.net/reviews/panasonic-fz10/fz10-review.html
It is 4mps and has a 12x (!!!) stablized zoom.

[Kudos]

the S1 IS is a nice camera, I'm looking for something with 10x zoom and ~5MP myself, but can't seem to make a decision on anything

[zippyjuan]

I wanted to keep some more wide angle end of the zoom so I went with one that has a 7x zoom equal to 28-200mm. My budget was also higher so I decided on this one: http://www.megapixel.net/cgi-bin/fs_loader.pl?p=http%3A//www.megapixel.net/reviews/minolta-a200/a200-review.html It is actually 8mp which is more than I need but I like all the other features it has. Picked it up from Dell on one of their 15% off plus a $ off coupon which made it under $650. It can get confusing so I tried to focus on what features were the most important to me and what was the best among them Read a lot of reveiws and forums to try and narrow it down. This one came in perfect for what I wanted. If the S1 IS had more MPs I may have gotten it instead. Perhaps they will have an updated version. If you are not doing anything larger than 8x 10, then three MPs will be fine.

[kimchicowboy]

Update: Here is another one to look at: http://www.megapixel.net/cgi-bin/fs_loader.pl?p=http%3A//www.megapixel.net/reviews/panasonic-fz10/fz10-review.html
It is 4mps and has a 12x (!!!) stablized zoom.
:stupid: i'm definitely considering one of these panasonic cameras. i'm looking for the 4MP with a hotshoe because the flash isn't supposed to work too well indoors. but the 12x stabilized zoom (leica lens) is supposed to be really good. :)

[zippyjuan]

Here is a Panasonic Forum you may want to take a look at:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1033

And one for Canon:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1010

I also notice that there is a replacement out for the Z10- the Z20. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz20/ It is five MPs and around $500.

[ribitch]

you may want to pick up a photography magazine and look through some of the ads. There are some places in NY with insanely low prices (usually for grey market items, or complete scams). Anyways, you may be able to cut out the print ad and have a sears, bestbuy, or circuit city price match. I saved about 500 on my digital rebel this way. Theres a big YMMV, but if you keep on trying, you can usually find somebody willing to match the price.

[InfiniteNothing]

:stupid: i'm definitely considering one of these panasonic cameras. i'm looking for the 4MP with a hotshoe because the flash isn't supposed to work too well indoors. but the 12x stabilized zoom (leica lens) is supposed to be really good. :)

The Z20 I believe has the hotshoe

[verve247]

A stabilized zoom greatly appeals to me too. My 2 main priorities are quality lens and housing, and the the zoom ability. Interesting posts were brought up that i'll need to look into.

[Jeffbx]

Check out this page (http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html) - scroll down to the 'Best 10-12x Optical "Super" zoom' cameras. Those are a great lot to choose from.

[Kudos]

nice site, thanks!

[AlpineJay]

For what it's worth, I believe the Canon 1S is the only digicam in the market that lets you use the zoom function while shooting video - effectively making it a complete camcorder with some shooting limitations.