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(Dec 22, 2009)
Lori Grunin
Senior Editor
Large zoom ranges confer clear, tangible benefits. Though many pro photographers eschew the long focal-length lens and zoom instead with their feet, we don't all have the luxury or comfort level for in-your-face photography. A large range of focal lengths dramatically increases framing options as well as makes it possible to get recognizable people shots when trapped in the crowd, high in the bleacher seats, or at the back of the auditorium. These models all offer zooms of 10x or more, for the ultimate reach.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20
If you don't mind its extra bulk and narrow lens, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20 is an otherwise excellent compact megazoom camera.
Price: $232.91 - $279.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jul 23, 2009
Excellent
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Canon PowerShot SX1 IS
A top megazoom option, the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS offers a 20x zoom lens and HD video, which you can't get in a similarly priced dSLR, and delivers more features and slightly better performance and photo quality than the cheaper SX10 IS.
Price: $499.88 - $599.99 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 27, 2009
Very good
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 (black)
The Lumix DMC-FP8 lives up to Panasonic's speedy performance claims; its photo quality isn't bad, either.
Price: $199.00 - $299.95 (check prices)
Review date: Nov 18, 2009
Very good
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Kodak EasyShare Z915 (blue)
The pocket megazoom Kodak EasyShare Z915 is a good camera for those looking to step up from a fully automatic compact camera to something with more manual controls and a longer lens.
Price: $144.99 - $199.95 (check prices)
Review date: Aug 21, 2009
Very good
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 (silver)
As long as you don't want much in the way of manual features, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 is a very nice camera that can handle a variety of shooting situations.
Price: $259.00 - $349.97 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 16, 2009
Very good
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Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
The Canon PowerShot SX20 IS is a solid, but not standout, megazoom option for the money.
Price: $369.00 - $439.00 (check prices)
Review date: Dec 15, 2009
Very good
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Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
A nice evolution of the megazoom, the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS delivers some improvements over its predecessor and provides an attractive option for megazoom shooters.
Price: $329.95 - $549.95 (check prices)
Review date: Mar 23, 2009
Very good
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 (black)
With a flexible lens in a pocketable package, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 is a pleasing point-and-shoot megazoom--both in design and photo quality.
Price: $208.95 - $279.95 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 19, 2009
Very good
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
A better-than-average megazoom choice, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 delivers standout video capabilities and an excellent manual feature set. Still, it suffers from a lot of the same drawbacks as its competitors, including weak photo quality.
Price: $322.95 - $399.99 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 8, 2009
Very good
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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Trade-offs abound in Sony's Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 megazoom. Though it's fast and has some really novel, useful features, it just doesn't deliver the photo quality expected for its class.
Price: $406.95 - $499.00 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 30, 2009
Very good
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Canon PowerShot SX200 IS (black)
More than just a point-and-shoot pocket megazoom, the Canon SX200 IS improves upon its forerunner, but not by much.
Price: $267.95 - $349.99 (check prices)
Review date: Apr 28, 2009
Very good
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