#D9E3ED

Superzoom Digital Cameras 2012 - Canon SX230 still among the best

Yes the Canon SX230 is among the best superzoom cameras for its price range, considering its incredible image detail quality compared to more expensive superzooms.
In the price ranges just above, more and more so called mirrorless cameras have been introduced. Mirrorless cameras have sensors which are almost as large as in DSLR cameras. Even lower-priced mirrorless cameras have an image quality that come close to DSLR image quality. This forces the low-priced camera industry competition further, and also for superzoom cameras, which until recently have used small 1/2.3" sensors. The SX230 is a bit over other superzoom cameras because its image performance is almost the same as for Canon S95 (no superzoom) which have a larger sensor.

Superzoom cameras are significant for the large zoom, on this page cameras at x12 and higher, and the standards for super zoom have since developed. This has resulted in cameras with better lenses since larger zoom requires more from the lens. On this page, there are a couple of reflections made, as well as all superzoom cameras available.

I mention some of the more known models and some about why they are better. Of course, each user has different criterias and these recommendations cannot be applied to everybody but should be in the interest of anyone.


Superzoom digital cameras

Latest superzoom cameras until January 17th 2012:
Olympus SZ-12.
Panasonic DMC-SZ7, DMC-SZ1.
Samsung WB850F, WB150F, ST200F.
Fujifilm F770EXR, F750EXR (raw).
Fujifilm FinePix F660EXR.
Fujifilm HS30EXR (raw).
Fujifilm FinePix SL300, SL240.
Fujifilm FinePix S4500, S4200.
Leica V-Lux 3.
Fujifilm X-S1.
Casio Exilim EX-ZR200.
Ricoh CX6.
Canon PowerShot SX40 IS
Pentax RZ18
Panasonic FZ150
Canon PowerShot SX150 IS
Samsung WB750
Canon ELPH 510 HS / IXUS 1100 HS
Olympus SZ-11 29 July 2011
Olympus SP-810UZ 27 July 2011
Panasonic FZ47/FZ48 21 July 2011
Olympus SZ-20/SZ-30MP 2 March 2011
Nikon L120, P500,S9100 9 Feb 2011
Olympus SZ-10, VR-320, VR-330 8 Feb 2011
Canon SX220/SX230 7 Feb 2011
Sony HX100V/HX9V 1 Feb 2011
Panasonic DMC-ZS8/ZS10 25 Jan 2011
Olympus SP-610UZ 6 January 2011
Casio EX-H30 5 Jan 2011
Samsung WB210 5 Jan 2011
Samsung WB700 29 Dec 2010

New superzoom cameras set new standards

Since the last superzoom camera test was presented at www.dpreview.com, there are many new superzooms and also, more mirrorless cameras which have become somewhat cheaper, even with additional lenses.

Superzoom camera reviews in 2012

In 2012 we will probably see new superzoom cameras with larger sensors, at least in the 12 - 20x range.

SX230 - best overall performance in 2011 ?

I did recommend the SX230 to my daughter after comparing. I did find a place after christmas with a little cheaper price than before. With 14x zoom and a 12 mp backside-illuminated sensor, here are other pros:

By far superior image detail quality for its price range
Metal body
Stereo microphone recording
1080p video
Slow-motion video
Good color
Good shutter lag performance at long zoom
Low geometric lens distortion
Built-in GPS

For its price, I think few other superzooms have had this overall value.
As you can se in the SX230 image ISO review, set the ISO to 1600 and 3200, and compare to the more expensive Canon S95 which have a larger sensor, the Canon PowerShot SX230 has about the same detail although just with a little more noise.
So for its zoom and image detail, it is indeed a winner, especially when comparing at ISO sensivity up to 3200. Even at ISO 3200, the Canon still seems to have the fine detail, where the all other cameras have more blur and uneven distortion, with smearing and gritty images. What is incredible, is how close SX230 is to the larger sensor S95 at the same parameters.

Things to consider if SX230 would not be your choice

Of course nothing is perfect. The SX230 has some drawbacks just like many other cameras but if any of these are very important you should lookup another camera. I think that imaging-resource.com sums up pros and cons pretty well for cameras.

So, what are the most apparent drawbacks of the SX230?
The HD video is 30ps at 720p but limited to 24ps at 1080p (should be file convertable)
A noticeable chromatic aberration
Slight blooming along the edges of some bright subjects
GPS is always on using battery
GPS implementation, lacking location names and playback mapping.
There is some light corner softening.

However even though the geometric lens distortion at tele and wide-angle is very low and better than most cameras in this price range, other cameras have to be considered if this is very critical.

Which other superzooms have come close to SX230 in previous tests?

In the last test at dpreview in July, those chosen as the "best of the bunch" were: Canon SX230HS, Nikon S9100 and Sony HX9V. I can agree on that. The Nikon S9100 (like the L110) and Sony HX9V have almost no lens barrel distortion although the SX230 has a little. The S9100 has more lens corner blurring than HX9V and SX210. However, there are some other cameras that could have done well too, that wasn't included in the test. And why not compare with cameras from 2010, like Canon SX210 and Sony HX5.

Whis is best in 2012 ?

By now, there are several new cameras so dpreview's test is now too old, however Canon SX230 is indeed still among the best superzooms.

Not so new superzooms but among the best in 2009 or 2010, still valuable?

The 2009 superzoom tests - dpreview:
Studio comparison ISO 80-100
Studio comparison ISO 400
Studio comparison ISO 1600
Studio comparison ISO 1600
On this page, we read "The Panasonic (again) does the best job, followed by the Canon which is quite soft but also relatively clean of artifacts". But when I look at these pictures, for me, there is one winner, Casio EX-FH25. It has least smearing and artefacts of them all. The EX-F25 (high speed video capture ) has, actually, "only" 9.1 Mpixels. Which, with a tele lens is more than sufficient. This is probably some part of the good result. Using a tele doesn't require a lot of megapixels, it requires a good lens and good sensivity and a 9.1M pixel sensor has probably less noise.

In these tests, the one valued as best were Panasonic FZ35, Canon SX20 and Nikon P100 (up to ISO3200).

The 2010 tests - dpreview:

When looking at a certain page at dpreview.com's superzoom test in 2010, we read: "The best image quality comes from the Casio FH-100 and the Panasonic pair".

However when I look at the images there for each of the cameras, I think that Canon SX210 and Sony HX5 were among the best ones, with concerns taken to highest ISO sensivity. You can see that the image quality of the SX230 resembles SX210 although it is better.

If we look at another test page of last year's test, a Night Shot comparison (ISO 1600), we see again, the SX210 has a soft image with no distortion although some fine noise,a little too low saturation at low contrast (but that can be fixed). Where other cameras have smearing and gritty noise noise reduction (which is impossible to fix).

So why a superzoom, or why not?

Superzoom cameras on this page have at least x12 zoom. They have more modes and functions and some have more manual controls than ordinary compact cameras. With some possible exception, they have the same same image sensor sizes as most compact cameras, 1/2.3". Therefore, image performance is about the same. But there are differences between some models, and some are better in some ways.

So what's the superzoom drawbacks?
1. The lenses of superzoom cameras with the extreme macro/wide/normal/tele ranges more or less introduce image distortion at both extreme ends of the range. Cameras with fixed or dedicated lenses where optimum performance can be achieved for a certain focal length, or at least a narrower range, like 18-55mm, is the best way to avoid lens distortion.

Some superzooms, like the Nikon S9100 and Sony HX9V mentioned above, handle this circumstance quite well though. A camera with up to 10x has lenses typically with lower average lens distortions. Therefore, cameras with less zoom should not have any significant lens distortion. Besides, there are some <10x cameras with larger 1/1.7" or 1/1.63" sensors, like the Nikon P7000 which has been a well respected camera but it does have som lens distortion. Otherwise a DSLR is the best.

2. The 1/2.3" sensors of superzoom cameras have more noise in higher ISO. Some cameras with up to <10x zoom have larger 1/1.63-1/1.7"sensors, with typically lower noise and smaller crops can be used from large original images, compared to superzooms, which sofar, have 1/2.3" sensors. Again, DSLR with so much larger sensors are best, even digital DSLRs being several years old are still by far better.

For daylight images, some superzoom cameras have well designed lenses and image sensors with smart and careful image processing that provide images which, at least for day-light, may seem as good. Like the Canon SX20is that was among the top last year. It seemed to have a mild sharpening image processing so that the sharpness of images seemed to be readjusted, compared to other models which did not use that type of image processing. Otherwise as the noise isn't too much, sharpening can be applied later but it saves time if it is being made from the beginning. This year, we'll see what news there may be.

So in some cases, regarded to your needs, you may consider to compare with a high zoom (6 - 10x) camera with lenses that have less average distortion and with a larger sensor with less noise, which then could give better overall performance in certain situations than a superzoom camera.

When to consider alternatives instead of superzoom

On the other hand, some superzoom cameras, as well as high-end/travel/bridge etc cameras cost $4-500 or even more, and for just a few dollars more or even less, you can buy an entry level DSLR with standard lens and then start to save for a superzoom lens, or whatever. Even though the standard DSLR lens is 18-55mm (3x zoom), you then will have a sensor that is something like 13 times larger. The sensivity is far better, the noise by far lower so you could use higher ISO and still be able to crop out smaller image parts and still have the detail. With a superzoom camera, you will get more noise with high ISO, and there may be lens distortion, so only smaller prints can be used.

So when can a superzoom be what I need

In day-light situations, or at least up to ISO400, some superzoom cameras perform very well to give real value for money. If you can accept some lens distortion for macro/tele images, some superzooms are quite cheap too, so that they would outperform other more standard like cameras. Besides, some superzoom cameras are more easy to handle than a DSLR. As always, you may further improve images with software unless the camera uses a too gritty and smearing noise reduction. Noise can be somewhat removed and a trick to get rid of certain uneven noise is to mark it, or the whole image, and then add some amount of fine noise before noise reduction.

Compact or bridge cameras

Basically there are two types of superzoom cameras, superzoom compact cameras, and superzoom bridge cameras that look like smaller entry-level DSLRs. The compacts may lack some or more of the the advanced functions of a bridge camera but not always. All in all, they are together superzoom cameras. The goal of this page is to show all current models, and some that are discontinued but yet popular.

Superzoom digital cameras - An overview

All cameras have built-in flash and image stabilisation. Most cameras have face detection, exposure control, PAL/NTSC video, and a bunch of various manual and auto modes as well as 3d or panorama modes. First I tried to include some of it but switched it for lens quality and image tone color which I intend to look up. Many superzooms have these impressive features, which may or may not assist your needs. If you want to know you can always look it up. Not all cameras have stereo sound.

The more zoom your camera has, the more susceptible are images with longer telephoto length for camera shake. Even though all the cameras have image stabilisation (where some are better), tripods are needed. More megaipixels isn't better.


Brand/model
Type

Opt.
zoom

Focal
range

Pixels/
Sensor

ISO/
RAW

Focus
range

Manual controls

Aperture
range

Min/max
shutter

View-
finder

Screen size/res.

HD Video

Interf.

More info

Reviews &
Ratings

Canon

The SX cameras in the Powershot products series are ultra/superzoom cameras.

IXUS 1100 HS/
ELPH 510 HS

New
23 August 2011

12x

5-60mm
(35mm eq:
28-336mm)

12.1mp
1/2.3"
BIS CMOS

80-3200

Aperture
ISO,focus
Shutter speed

f/3.4-5.9

Auto:
1-1/3200s
Manual:
15-1/3200s

No optical

3.2" lcd
460.000

1080p
24fps
720p 30fps
stereo
mic.

HDMI
Usb
AV out

Info
User ratings

SX30 IS

35x

4.3-150mm
(35mm eq:
24-840mm)

14.1mp
1/2.3" CCD

80-1600

f/2.7-5.8

1 - 1/3200s

Electronic
viewfinder

2.7" lcd
vari-angle
230.000

720p 30fps
Stereo out

HDMI

Info
User reviews
User ratings

SX130 IS

12x

5-60mm
(35mm eq:
28-336mm)

12.1mp
1/2.3" CCD

80-1600

Aperture
Shutter
speed

f/3.4-5.6
Man/
auto

Auto:
1-1/2500s
Manual:
15-1/2500s

No optical

3.0" lcd
230.000

720p 30fps
Stereo

Usb

Info
User reviews
User ratings

SX150 IS

New
23 Aug 2011

12x

5-60mm
(35mm eq:
28-336mm)

14.1mp
1/2.3" CCD

80-1600

Aperture
Shutter
speed

f/3.4-5.6
Man/
auto

Auto:
1-1/2500s
Manual:
15-1/2500s

No optical

3.0" lcd
230.000

720p 30fps
Stereo

Usb

Info
User reviews
SX150IS preview

SX210IS

14x

5-70mm
(35mm eq:
28-392mm)

14.1mp
1/2.3" CCD

80-1600

Aperture
ISO,focus
Shutter speed

f/3.1-5.9

Auto:
1-1/3200s
Manual:
15-1/3200s

No optical

3.0" lcd
230.000

720p 30fps

HDMI
Usb

Info
User reviews
User ratings

SX220 HS/
SX230 HS(GPS)

New
7 Feb 2011

14x

5-70mm
(35mm eq:
28-392mm)

14.1mp
1/2.3" CCD

80-3200

Aperture
ISO,focus
Shutter speed

f/3.1-5.9

Auto:
1-1/3200s
Manual:
15-1/3200s

No optical

3.0" lcd
461.000

1080p
24fps
720p 30fps
stereo
mic.

HDMI
Usb
AV out

Info
User reviews
User ratings

Casio

Casio has low-light, BIS-sensor, high speed cameras.
EX-ZR100: 1080p HD 29 min video recording at 30fps. 1000fps (224x64), 480fps (224x160) and 30-240fps (432x320) high speed video and 3fps full resolution continuous shooting.
EX-FH25: 720p video recording at 30fps. 1000fps (224×64), 420fps (224×168), 240fps (448x336), 120fps (640x480), 30-240fps (448x336), 30-120fps (640x480). Up to 40 fps at full resolution.
Setting the fps-speed between 30fps and 210fps can match recording speed to the action.

EX-ZR100

12.5

4.24-33mm
(35mm eq:
24-300mm)

12.1mp
1/2.3" CMOS
BIS

80-3200

Focus
exposure
white bal.

f/3.0-5.9

Auto:
1-1/2000s
Manual:
15-1/2000s

3.0" lcd
460.800

1080p 30fps
stereo
mic.

HDMI
Usb

Dual core
30fps HD
1000fps highspeed

Info
User reviews
User ratings

EX-FH25

20x

4.6-92mm
(35mm eq:
~26-520mm)

10.1mp
1/2.3" CMOS
BIS

RAW:
100-200
100-3200

Focus,ISO
shutter
white bal.

f/2.8-7.9

Auto:
1-1/2000s
Manual:
30-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
230,400

720p 30fps
Mono

USB/AV port

Hi-speed video +
40fps full res.

Info
User reviews
User ratings

EX-H30

New
5 Jan 2011

12.5

4.24-53mm
(35mm eq:
24-300mm)

16.1mp
1/2.3" CCD

80-3200

Focus,
shutter
white bal.

f/3.0-5.9

Auto:
1-1/2000s
Manual:
8-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
460.800

720p 30fps
Mono

HDMI
USB
AV out

dpreview

Fujifilm

HS10

30x

Info

HS20

30x

4.2-126mm
(35mm eq:
24-720mm)

16.0mp
1/2"
BSI CMOS

100-12800
RAW

Manual
AF

Wide:
f2.8-11
Tele:
f/5.6-11

30-1/4000s
Auto:
0.25-1/4000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
460.000

1080p
30fps
Stereo

HDMI
Usb

Dual c CPU
Color fringe reduction and improved corner sharpness

Info
User reviews
User ratings

F300EXR

15x

4.4-66mm
(35mm eq:
24-360mm)

12.0mb
1/2" CMOS

100-1600
3200-
12800

Normal
1.5ft.->inf.
Macro
2"-9.8ft.

F3.5-F5.3

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

No
viewfinder

3.0"
460.000

720p
24fr./s
Mono

HDMI
Usb

Zoom in video

dpreview
amazon

F500EXR

15x

4.4-66mm
(35mm eq:
24-360mm)

16.0mb
1/2" CMOS

64-3200
(6400-
12800)

Normal
1.5ft.->inf.
Macro
2"-9.8ft.

F3.5-F5.3

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

No
viewfinder

3.0"
460.000

720p
Stereo

HDMI
Usb

Zoom in video

dpreview
amazon

F550EXR

15x

4.4-66mm
(35mm eq:
24-360mm)

16.0mb
1/2"
BSI
CMOS

64-3200
(6400-
12800)
RAW

Normal
1.5ft.->inf.
Macro
2"-9.8ft.

F3.5-F5.3

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

No
viewfinder

3.0"
460.000

720p
Stereo

HDMI
Usb

Zoom in video
Anti-blur
GPS

dpreview
amazon

F600EXR

New
11 Aug 2011

15x

4.4-66mm
(35mm eq:
24-360mm)

16.0mb
1/2"
BSI
CMOS

64-3200
(6400-
12800)

Normal
1.5ft.->inf.
Macro
2"-9.8ft.

F3.5-F5.3

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

No
viewfinder

3.0"
460.000

1080p
30fps
Stereo

HDMI
Usb

Zoom in video
Anti-blur
Improved
GPS
HiSpeed Movie 80/160/320fps)

dpreview
amazon

S1600

15x

5.0-75mm
(35mm eq:
28-420mm)

12.2mb
1/2.3" CCD

64-1600
(3200-
6400)

Normal
1.3ft.->inf.
Macro
1-9.8ft.

F3.1-F5.6

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0"
230.000

720p
Mono

Usb

dpreview
amazon

S1800

18x

4.3-90mm
(35mm eq:
24-504mm)

12.2mb
1/2.3" CCD

64-1600
(3200-
6400)

Normal
1.3ft.->inf.
Macro
0.1-9.8ft.

F3.1-F5.6

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0"
230.000

720p
Mono

Usb

dpreview

S2500HD

18x

4.3-90mm
(35mm eq:
24-504mm)

12.2mb
1/2.3" CCD

64-1600
(3200-
6400)

Normal
1.3ft.->inf.
Macro
0.1-9.8ft.

F3.1-F5.6

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0"
230.000

720p
Mono

HDMI
Usb

dpreview

S2800HD

18x

4.3-90mm
(35mm eq:
24-504mm)

14.0mb
1/2.3" CCD

64-1600
(3200-
6400)

Normal
1.3ft.->inf.
Macro
0.8"-9.8ft.

F3.1-F5.6

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0"
230.000

720p
Mono

HDMI
Usb

fujifilm

S2950

18x

4.3-90mm
(35mm eq:
24-504mm)

14.0mb
1/2.3" CCD

64-1600
(3200-
6400)

Normal
1.3ft.->inf.
Macro
0.8"-9.8ft.

F3.1-F5.6

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0"
230.000

720p
Mono

HDMI
Usb

dpreview

S3200

24x

4.3-103.2mm
(35mm eq:
24-576mm)

14.0mb
1/2.3" CCD

64-1600
(3200-
6400)

Normal
1.3ft.->inf.
Macro
0.8"-9.8ft.

F3.1-F5.9

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0"
230.000

720p
Mono

HDMI
Usb

dpreview

S3300

26x

4.3-111.8mm
(35mm eq:
24-624mm)

14.0mb
1/2.3" CCD

64-1600
(3200-
6400)

Normal
1.3ft.->inf.
Macro
0.8"-9.8ft.

F3.1-F5.9

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0"
230.000

720p
Mono

HDMI
Usb

dpreview
amazon

S3400

28x

4.3-120.4mm
(35mm eq:
24-672mm)

14.0mb
1/2.3" CCD

64-1600
(3200-
6400)

Normal
1.3ft.->inf.
Macro
0.8"-9.8ft.

F3.1-F5.9

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0"
460.000

720p
Mono

HDMI
Usb

dpreview
amazon

S4000

30x

4.3-129mm
(35mm eq:
24-720mm)

14.0mb
1/2.3" CCD

64-1600
(3200-
6400)

Normal
1.3ft.->inf.
Macro
0.8"-9.8ft.

F3.1-F5.9

8 - 1/2000s
Auto:
1/4-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0"
460.000

720p
Mono

HDMI
Usb

dpreview
amazon

Leica

V-Lux 2

DSLR like

24x

4.5-108mm
(35mm eq:
25-600mm)

14.1mp
1/2.3" CMOS

80-1600

White bal.

f/2.8 - 5.2

60-1/2000s

3.0" lcd
Fold-out
460.000

1080i
AVCHD
Max 29 min.

11 fr./s - 14.1mp.
60 fr./s - 2.8mp

dpreview
User reviews

V-Lux 20

12x

4.1-49.2mm
(35mm eq:
25-300mm)

11.1mp
1/2.33" CMOS

80-1600

White bal.

f/3.3–4.9

60-1/2000s

No

3.0" lcd
460.000

1080p
Stereo

dpreview
User reviews

Nikon

P100 and L110 are two related cameras, where P100 stands for performance. P100 is faster and more advanced than the cheaper and easier L110. L110 has zoom during video which is a little slower, but this would yield a more softer result that could look more "professional". The L110 has some lens irregularites, sharp center and blurred at edges. If you want most manual controls, only P100 has that. Nikon P100 and L110 compared

L110

15x

5-75mm
(35mm eq:
28-420mm)

12.1mp
1/2.33"

80-1600
(32/6400)
Auto:
80-800

1ft.8"->
Macro:
0.4"->

Auto
only
f3.5-5.4

2-1/8000s

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
460.000

720p

Usb

Zoom during film.

dpreview
User reviews

L120

New
9 Feb 2011

21x

4.5-94.5mm
(35mm eq:
25-525mm)

14.0mp
1/2.33"
CCD

80-6400

1ft.8"->
Macro:
0.4"->

f3.1-5.8

4-1/4000s

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
921.000

720p

HDMI
1080i
AV
Usb

Stereo

dpreview
User reviews

P100

26x

4.1-49.2mm
(35mm eq:
26-678mm)

10.6mp
1/2.33"
BIS CMOS

160-1600
(32/6400)
Auto:
160-800

1ft.8"->
Macro:
0.4"->

Aperture,
shutter

f/2.8-5

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
vari-angle
460.000

1080p
30fps
Stereo
mic.

Usb

Hi-speed
movie 240fps at
320x240

dpreview
User reviews

P500

New
9 Feb 2011

36x

4-144mm
(35mm eq:
26-678mm)

12.1mp
1/2.33"
CMOS

160-3200

1ft.8"->
Macro:
4"->

f/3.4-5.7

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
920.000

1080p
30fps
Stereo
mic.

Usb
AV

Hi-speed
movie 240fps at
320x240

dpreview
User reviews

S9100

New
9 Feb 2011

18x

4.5-81mm
(35mm eq:
25-450mm)

12.1mp
1/2.33"
CMOS

160-3200

1ft.8"->
Macro:
1.6"->

f/3.5-5.9

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
920.000

1080p
30fps
Stereo
mic.

Usb
AV

Hi-speed
movie 240fps at
320x240

dpreview
User reviews

Olympus

SP-600UZ

15x

5-75mm
(35mm eq:
28-420mm)

12.0mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-1600

1cm -> inf.

ISO

f/3.5-5.4

0.5-1/2000s

No
viewfinder

2.7" lcd
460.000

720p

HDMI
A/V+USB
output

No exp.
compen-
sation

dpreview
User reviews

SP-610UZ

New
Jan 2011

22x

5-110mm
(35mm eq:
28-616mm)

14.0mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-3200

1cm -> inf.

ISO

f/3.3-5.7

0.5-1/2000s
Night
scene:
4 sec.

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
230.000

720p

HDMI
A/V+USB
output

6 Jan 2011

dpreview
User reviews

SP-800UZ

30x

5-150mm
(35mm eq:
28-840mm)

14.0mp
1/2.33" CCD

64-3200
(6400/
10000)

1cm -> inf.

ISO

f/2.8-5.6

0.25-1/2000s

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
460.000

720p

HDMI
A/V+USB
output

dpreview
User reviews

SP-810UZ

New
July 27 2011

36x

4.3-154.8mm
(35mm eq:
24-864mm)

14.0mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-3200)

5cm -> inf.

ISO

f/2.9-5.7

0.5-1/850s

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
230.000

720p

HDMI
A/V+USB
output

dpreview
User reviews

SZ-10

New
8 Feb 2011

18x

5-90mm
(35mm eq:
28-504mm)

14.0mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-1600

W:4"->inf.
T:1.6m->inf.
Super Macro:
1cm

ISO

f/3.1-4.4

0.5-1/2000s
Night
scene:
4 sec.

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
460.000

720p

HDMI
A/V+USB
output

6 Jan 2011

dpreview

SZ-11

New
29 July 2011

20x


(35mm eq:
25-500mm)

14.0mp
1/2.33" CCD

-3200

ISO

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
460.000

720p

HDMI
A/V+USB
output

dpreview

SZ-20

New
2 March 2011

12.5x

4.2-52.5mm
(35mm eq:
24-300mm)

14.0mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-3200

W:3.9"->inf.
T:0.9m->inf.
Super Macro:
0.39"->inf

ISO

f3.0 (W)
f5.9 (T)

1/4-1/2500s
Night
scene:
4 sec.

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
460.000

1080p
720p
360p
180p

HDMI
A/V+USB
output

olympus-global.com

SZ-30MP

New
2 March 2011

24x

4.5-108mm
(35mm eq:
25-600mm)

12.1mp
1/2.33"

80-3200

4"->15ft.4"
Macro:
1cm->

f3.0-6.9

1/4-1/1700s
Max 4s

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
460.000

1080p

HDMI
AV&Usb

dpreview

VR320

New
8 Feb 2011

12.5x

4.2-52.5mm
(35mm eq:
24-300mm)

14.0mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-1600

Standard:
25"->inf.
Macro:8"->inf.
Super
Macro:1cm

ISO

f/3.0-5.9

0.5-1/2000s
Night
scene:
4 sec.

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
230.000

720p

A/V+USB
output

dpreview
User reviews

VR-330

New
8 Feb 2011

12.5x

4.2-52.5mm
(35mm eq:
24-300mm)

14.0mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-1600

Standard:
25"->inf.
Macro:8"->inf.
Super
Macro:1cm

ISO

f/3.0-5.9

0.5-1/2000s
Night
scene:
4 sec.

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
460.000

720p

HDMI
A/V+USB
output

dpreview

Brand/
Model

Opt.
zoom

Focal
range

Pixels/
Sensor

ISO/
RAW

Manual
controls

Aperture
range

Min/max
shutter

View-
finder

Screen
size/res.

HD Video

Interf.

More info

Reviews

Panasonic

DMC-ZS3

DMC-ZS5
TZ8

12x

4.1-49.2mm
(35mm eq:
25-300mm)

12.1mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-1600
1600-
6400

Normal:
20"->inf.
Macro 1.25"->inf.

Manual
Exposure

f3.3-4.9
f3.3-6.3 W
f4.9-6.3 T

60-1/2000s

No
viewfinder

2.7" lcd
230.000

720p

A/V+USB
output

26 Jan 2010

dpreview
User reviews

DMC-ZS7
TZ10

12x

4.1-49.2mm
(35mm eq:
25-300mm)

12.1mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-6400

Normal:
20"->inf.
Macro 1.25"->inf.

Manual
Exposure

f3.3-4.9
f3.3-6.3 W
f4.9-6.3 T

60-1/2000s

No
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
460.000

720p
AVCHD

HDMI
A/V+USB
output

26 Jan 2010
GPS

dpreview
User reviews

DMC-ZS8
TZ18

New
Jan 2011

16x

4.3-68.8mm
(35mm eq:
24-384mm)

12.1mp
1/2.33" CCD

100-1600
Auto:
1600-6400

20"-> inf.
Macro:
1.2"-> inf.

Yes

f3.3-5.9

60-1/2000s

No
viewfinder

2.7" lcd
230.000

720p

A/V+USB
output

dpreview
User reviews

DMC-ZS10
TZ20

New
Jan 2011

16x

4.3-68.8mm
(35mm eq:
24-384mm)

12.1mp
1/2.33" CCD

100-1600
Auto:
1600-6400

20"-> inf.
Macro
:1.2"-> inf.

Yes

f3.3-5.9

60-1/2000s

No
viewfinder

2.7" lcd
230.000

1080p
AVCHD

A/V+USB
output

GPS

dpreview
User reviews

Does the newer FZ40 and FZ100 compete with the older FZ35? At least not FZ100, although with creative features, delivers poor images, with a noise reduction that blurs details even at ISO 100. If noise reduction is dialed down, then noise become evident. Ok for prints up to ca 8x10".

FZ40

24x

4.5-108mm
(35mm eq:
25-600mm)

14.1mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-1600
Auto:
1600-6400

12"-> inf.
Macro:
1cm-> inf.

Yes

f2.8-5.2
W:f2.8-8
T:f5.2-8

60-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
230.000

720p

A/V+USB
output

7 July 2010
FZ45 in
Europe

dpreview
User reviews

FZ47

New
21 July 2011

24x

4.5-108mm
(35mm eq:
25-600mm)

12.1mp
1/2.33" CCD

100-1600
Auto:
1600-6400

100cm->inf.
Macro:
1cm->inf.

Yes

f2.8-5.2
W:f2.8-8
T:f5.2-8

60-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
230.000

1080p/
720p

A/V+USB
output

Stereo
microph.

dpreview
User reviews

FZ100

24x

4.5-108mm
(35mm eq:
25-600mm)

14.1mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-1600
Auto:
1600-6400
RAW

12"-> inf.
Macro:
1cm-> inf.

Yes

f2.8-5.2
W:f2.8-8
T:f5.2-8

60-1/2000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0" lcd
460.000
Free-angle

1080p
stereo

HDMI
A/V+USB
Ext.mic

7 July 2010
E
11 fr./s

dpreview
User reviews

Pentax

The X90 model by Pentax has received some good qualities such as good efficient image stabilization but also poor low-light and image quality results in reviews. Hopefully Pentax will correct this with another model, and sofar, the RZ18 is yet to be announced. Probably, it may share some features as of the 10x zoom RZ10 which according to reviews have noise starting at 200/400 with detail kept quite well even up to the very noisy ISO 1600. So it will be interesting to find out about the RZ18.

Pentax X90

20x

4.5-108mm
(35mm eq:
26-676mm)

11.1mp
1/2.3" CMOS

80-1600

White bal.

f/2.8 - 5.2

1/4-1/2000s
max 4s

Electronic
viewfinder

2.7" lcd
460.000

720p

HDMI
Usb

dpreview
User reviews

RZ-18

To come
Pre-info

18x

(35mm eq:
28-504mm)

14.0mp
1/2.3" CMOS

80-1600

No

3.0" lcd

Usb

photorumors.com

Samsung

HZ30W

15x

3.9-58.5mm
(35mm eq:
24-360mm)

12.2mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-3200

32"-> inf.
Macro:
1.2"-> inf.

Yes

f3.2-5.8

Auto:
1-1/2000s
Manual:
16-1/2000s

3.0" lcd
460.000
Free-
angle

720p

HDMI
A/V+USB
output

7 July 2010
11 fr./s

dpreview
User reviews

HZ35W/
WB650

15x

3.9-58.5mm
(35mm eq:
24-360mm)

12.2mp
1/2.33" CCD

80-6400

32"-> inf.
Macro:
1.2"-> inf.

Yes

f3.2-5.8

Auto:
1-1/2000s
Manual:
16-1/2000s

3.0"
Amoled
614.000
Free-
angle

720p

HDMI
A/V+USB
output

7 July 2010
11 fr./s

dpreview

HZ50W
WB5500

26x

4.6-119.6mm
(35mm eq:
26-676mm)

13.8mp
1/2.33" CCD

64-3200
Boost:
6400
RAW

32"->inf.
Macro:

1cm-> inf.

Yes

f2.8-5.0

16-1/2000s

3.0"
230.000

1080p
30 fps
Stereo
mic

HDMI
A/V+USB
output

3 May 2010
11 fr./s

dpreview
User reviews

WB210

New
Jan 2011

12x

4.0-48mm
(35mm eq:
24-288mm)

14.0mp
1/2.33" CCD

3.5"
touch
screen
lcd

720p
30 fps
Stereo
mic

A/V+USB
output

5 Jan 2011

dpreview
Amazon

WB700

New
Jan 2011

18x

4.1-73.1mm
(35mm eq:
24-432mm)

14.0mp
1/2.33" CCD

RAW

Yes

3.0"lcd

1080p
30 fps
Stereo
mic

HDMI

5 Jan 2011

dpreview
Amazon

Sony

HX1

20x

5.0-100mm
(35mm eq:
24-432mm)

9.1mp
1/2.33" CCD

125-3200

Yes

f2.8-8.0(W)
f5.2-8.0(T)

Auto:
2-1/4000s
Manual:
30-1/4000s

3.0"lcd
230.400

1080p
30 fps
1080p
30fps
Stereo
mic

HDMI
Usb

dpreview
User reviews

HX9V

New
1 Feb 2011

16x

2.3-68.5mm
(35mm eq:
24-384mm)

16.2mp
CMOS

100-3200

Wide:
2" - inf.
Tele:
4ft.-inf.

Yes

f3.3-5.9

Auto:
2-1/1600s
Manual:
30-1/1600s

No
viewfinder

3.0" 921.000

1080p
30 fps
1080i
30fps
Stereo
mic

HDMI
Usb

GPS
3d
Sweep Panorama

dpreview

HX100V

New
1 Feb 2011

30x

4.8-144mm
(35mm eq:
27-810mm)

16.2mp
CMOS

100-3200

Wide:
2" - inf.
Tele:
4ft.-inf.

Yes

f2.8-5.6

Auto:
2-1/4000s
Manual:
30-1/4000s

Electronic
viewfinder

3.0" 921.000

1080p
30 fps
1080p
30fps
Stereo
mic

HDMI
Usb

GPS
3d
Sweep Panorama

dpreview
Amazon

Brand/
Model

Opt.
zoom

Focal
range

Pixels/
Sensor

ISO/
RAW

Manual
controls

Aperture
range

Min/max
shutter

View-
finder

Screen
size/res.

HD Video

Interf.

More info

Reviews






This page shows the last superzoom cameras per its last update as of January 17th 2012

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