One of the most important features that consumers look at when buying a digital camera is its zoom range capability. Whether you are going to the zoo and want to get close ups of the animals, or just for personal use, zoom is one of the most important features. Many also want a compact camera with this feature, as it is easier to carry around.
There are a few advantages of a smaller sensor, in comparison to its larger counterpart, SRL's. The main advantage is that you need a smaller lens, and you can fit a high zoom range into a small camera which can still be carried around conveniently. In early 2000, Sony and Olympus offered a few cameras with a 10x zoom, which were a bit bulky and more expensive, were still smaller than their counterpart SLR, and had a lens which was just as powerful. Many buyers look at these two factors, price and portability.
Superzoom cameras offer such large zoom ranges that they are almost impossible to match with film cameras. The lenses are large, yet small enough to be able to have a small, compact camera, that is convenient for users to carry around.
Manufacturers are continuously competing to come out with the camera with the best zoom range. Primarily, the average was a 10x lens, but now that number is about double. Not only are the manufacturers improving the length the lens can see, but they are improving the field of vision and width.
Seven cameras, which are probably the best digital zoom cameras include:
Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD
Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd
Canon Powershot SX10 IS
Nikon Coolpix P80
Olympus SP-565UZ
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28
Sony Cybershot DSC-H50
These seven cameras all have a zoom range of 12x or more, and some of the highest wide angle views as well. They also all over image stabilization (either optical or mechanical), which is important for people who are using such a strong zoom lens. Some other important features that these cameras contain include electronic viewfinder, full control when taking photos. Generally, these cameras all look quite similar. They are not too big, and are built with a similar design. Often times, many of these cameras will actual contain the same lens as one of their counterparts. More and more digital zoom cameras are being manufactured, and with each new one, comes more outstanding features
