Super Zoom Digital Cameras
Super zoom digital cameras now offer what can only be described as incredible amount of zoom. The top of the range models offer up to 35x zoom. With maximum focal lengths available of over 800mm (35mm equivalent), that is more zoom power than you are likely to get with a Digital SLR without spending a substantial sum of money on a super telephoto lens.
Camera Size and Design
Super zoom digital cameras are fairly large and bulky. They are designed along the lines of a Digital SLR. What Types of Photography are Super Zoom Digital Cameras Suitable For? A super zoom digital camera is likely to appeal to you if you enjoy photographing subjects such as sports and wildlife. This type of camera can capture a wide range of more distant subjects where a more standard size lens is unable to get you in close enough to your subject.
Wide Angle Capabilities
In addition to the obvious telephoto qualities Super Zoom digital cameras offer wide angle capabilities. This gives you the flexibility to capture wide scenes as well as more distant subjects.
Lens and Picture Quality
The lenses used for this type of camera are usually of good quality. The larger physical size of the lenses can make the design and building processes that bit easier. One downside is that most lenses suffer from purple fringing. This is not usually to a degree that is noticeable with smaller prints, but may be an issue if you plan to make large prints. This issue is usually more noticeable when the lens is close to or at full extension or completely zoomed out.
Range of Features Available
If you are someone that photographs subjects such as wildlife and sports then the likelihood is that you know your way around a camera. If this sounds like you then you will be pleased to know that Super Zoom cameras nearly always come with a full set of manual exposure controls. These include features such as fully manual operation, aperture priority and shutter priority. This type of camera is also likely to offer you the ability to focus from close in for macro photography. Other advanced features can be found for metering and white balance adjustments. As ever it is best to check the specifications of individual cameras to ensure they carry the range of features you are interested in.
A camera of this size, weight and length of lens is prone to camera shake. Therefore image stabilisation is a very common feature. This helps to compensate for tiny hand movements when a picture is taken, to ensure your pictures are as sharp as possible.
Another attraction of this type of camera is that it tends to generate more power from the flash unit then smaller models. In most cases the flash unit pops up on top of the camera. This increases the distances between the lens and the flash unit and can help to reduce any problems of red eye in portrait shots taken using flash.
High Definition Movies
High Definition movies are the norm for this type of camera. More advanced models may also include a form of image stabilisation for movie recording, plus the ability to record stereo sound.
Pros:
Price
Suitable for sports and wildlife photography
No red eye
Cons:
Larger cameras
Purple fringing
Suggested Super Zoom Digital Cameras
This is a selection of my current top rated cameras in this category.
Panasonic DMC FZ100 Rating: 87/100
Super Zoom 14 Megapixels 24x Zoom
Panasonic have packed in a wide range of features. These include a wide angle lens, image stabilisation, manual exposure controls, 11 frames per second burst mode, a 3 inch vari angle LCD screen and a hot shoe. The movie mode is one of the most advanced I have seen. It can shoot 1080p High Definition movies as opposed to the more widely available 720p. Stereo sound can be recorded and there is also a special high speed, QVGA movie mode. This can capture footage at 220 frames per second. You can then play back these movies in slow motion.
Guide Price: £322.42 See latest prices: Panasonic DMC FZ100 Prices
Related Pages: Panasonic DMC FZ100 Review Panasonic DMC FZ100 Spec
Panasonic DMC FZ45 Rating: 87/100
Super Zoom 14 Megapixels 24x Zoom
The Lumix DMC FZ45 offers plenty of all round scope. As well as the more obvious power for zooming in on a subject the lens also has wide angle capabilities for photographing wide scenes such as landscapes. A 1cm macro mode lets you get right in close to your subject and the electronic viewfinder will appeal to many people. Image stabilisation has been built in as has the ability to shoot High Definition movies.
Guide Price: £219.00 See latest prices: Panasonic DMC FZ45 Prices
Related Pages: Panasonic DMC FZ45 Review Panasonic DMC FZ45 Spec
Fuji Finepix HS10 Rating: 87/100
Super Zoom 10 Megapixels 30x Zoom
This is the most innovative digital camera I have come across for a while. It is packed with new, different and advanced features. These are on top of the extra long 30x zoom lens. Features include zoom bracketing, Tracking AF, Motion Remover, Multi Motion and Best Frame Capture.
Guide Price: £391.24 See latest prices: Fuji Finepix HS10 Prices
Related Pages: Fuji Finepix HS10 Review Fuji Finepix HS10 Spec
Digital Camera Types
Straightforward, simple cameras. These are also the cheapest you will find.
The most common type. Most are simple and straightforward.
On similar lines to the pocket camera, but a little larger.
Extra zoom over and above more basic cameras, but retaining a fairly compact size.
Extreme zoom lens. Normally with plenty of manual features.
Contain features normally associated with a Digital SLR, but in a smaller body.
As well as being waterproof many cameras are also drop proof and freezeproof.
Compact System Cameras are a cross between a typical compact camera and a Digital SLR. They offer you excellent picture quality, a wide array features and are a small size.
Entry level Digital SLRs for enthusiasts.
Top of the range for the most demanding professional photographers.
