Ultra Compact with High Zoom

[Pam_Bevan]

Writing this one up for a friend. Any help would be appreciated.Thanks.

Looking for a ultra compact with high optical zoom. So far, havent found one! :P Is there something with size about Sony T9 that has optical over 5x?

Budget : Under 500$

Size : Ultra Compact

Features : minimum 5.0 megapixels

* What optical zoom will you need? : At least 5x

* How important is “image quality” to you? : 8

Do you care for manual controls? : Not necessary, but would like multiple presets

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for? : general photography.

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? : sometimes

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? : Yes for indoor and usually at high zoom (conference/ auditorium settings)

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?: Some

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? : Not really

Are there particular models you already have in mind? : Not Yet

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? Image stabilaization would be nice but not necessary.

[Cameron38]

ULTRA Compacts usually have a 3x Optical zoom. I dont know of any 5x optical in that size. If you are willing to go a little larger to Compact size.. you can get the new Panasonic TZ-1 with 10x optical, 5mg, video and anti-shake. It's still relatively thin because it has a folder lens using a prism for the lens within the camera body to eliminate the long lens of other 10x cameras. suggested retail price $350.

[DonSchap]

Take a peek at the Pansonic Lumix DMC FZ7 or FZ20. It may be a little larger than you would like, but a wildly great camera with 12x zoom.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Panasonic%20Lumix%20DMC-FZ7K%20Digital%20Camera:1993518371;_ylt=An82RCj4bm 99zsLL2Bgb76YbFt0A;_ylu=X3oDMTBic2hxMGNhBGx0AzQEc2 VjA3Ny?clink=dmps/lumix_fz7/ctx=mid:6,pid:1993518371,pdid:6,pos:1,spc:14489115 ,date:20060407,srch:kw,x:

[John_Reed]

Writing this one up for a friend. Any help would be appreciated.Thanks.

Looking for a ultra compact with high optical zoom. So far, havent found one! :P Is there something with size about Sony T9 that has optical over 5x?

Budget : Under 500$

Size : Ultra Compact

Features : minimum 5.0 megapixels

* What optical zoom will you need? : At least 5x

* How important is “image quality” to you? : 8

Do you care for manual controls? : Not necessary, but would like multiple presets

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for? : general photography.

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? : sometimes

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? : Yes for indoor and usually at high zoom (conference/ auditorium settings)

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?: Some

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? : Not really

Are there particular models you already have in mind? : Not Yet

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? Image stabilaization would be nice but not necessary.
Just becoming available on-line for ~$300 or so, has 10X zoom, very compact body, image stabilizer, 5MP.