Looking for a great ultrazoom for under $300

[keetabagel]

Budget

Will consider as much as $300 but would like to spend $250 or less.(want to buy through Amazon)

Size

Not super important but smaller is a bonus.

Features

At least 5 megapixels.

Ultrazoom. At least 10x optical zoom, would like 15x+ ideally.

I'd like to be able to make prints up to 8" x 10" and have them look good...so...the best image quality I can afford I guess...

Do you care for manual controls?

I would like to try some, but I would be fine with a camera that doesn't have them.

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?
Everything, pictures of people, wildlife, landscapes, vacation photos, etc.

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
8" x 10" or smaller.

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
Yes.

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
Yes.

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?
No.

Are there particular models you already have in mind?
I've been looking at Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5A, Fujifilm Finepix S8100fd, Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5S, Nikon Coolpix L100 and more...there are so many, which is why I would love some help =).

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)
Image Stabilization

[jdl7538]

Have you checked out this comparison review of superzooms?:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q109superzoomgroup/

I wonder though whether, with what you're looking for, your best bet might not be the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28K 10MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom. At the $269.88 that Amazon is selling it for, it might offer the most at your sub-$300 price-range:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CCLBSU/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header

If you click on the users' pictures there you get a close-up of what it can do. If you like what you see, I think there are a number of professional reviews of it online to check it out further.

[jekostas]

Do you think you could expand a bit on the low-light and sports shooting aspects of your requirements? Ultrazooms are notoriously bad low-light cameras, and depending on what sports you're shooting, an ultrazoom may not be very good for that either.

[keetabagel]

Do you think you could expand a bit on the low-light and sports shooting aspects of your requirements? Ultrazooms are notoriously bad low-light cameras, and depending on what sports you're shooting, an ultrazoom may not be very good for that either.


I didn't know that ultrazooms were bad low-light cameras. I'm always wishing that my old Canon PowerShot A85 (3x optical zoom) had more zoom. I just thought it would be neat to be able to take some pictures outside when it is somewhat dark, etc. but the zoom is more important to me. I tried out a friend's Canon PowerShot SX100 IS (10x zoom) and really loved the zoom so I'm pretty sure I'd like at least 10x optical zoom.

I mentioned sports shooting because I want to be able to take pictures of moving animals, birds flying, etc. and people riding horses, as I'm an avid horseback rider. I probably won't be taking pictures of sports other than riding.

[keetabagel]

Have you checked out this comparison review of superzooms?:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q109superzoomgroup/

I wonder though whether, with what you're looking for, your best bet might not be the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28K 10MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom. At the $269.88 that Amazon is selling it for, it might offer the most at your sub-$300 price-range:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CCLBSU/ref=cm_cmu_pg__header

If you click on the users' pictures there you get a close-up of what it can do. If you like what you see, I think there are a number of professional reviews of it online to check it out further.

Reading that article, the DMC-FZ28K looks like one to consider. I think I could live with less zoom though (15x) if it would cut the cost a bit. It would be great if anyone could also suggest a camera under $250 as well. Thanks =)

[AndyfromVA]

How about the Canon SX110is? It's the newer version of the SX100is you liked. I've seen it online from reliable retailers for $215.

[jdl7538]

How about the Canon SX110is?

From what I've seen on the internet (never held one in my hand), the Canon SX 110 IS does look like what you want. Two websites that I find give good estimates of image quality are:

(1) http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2008/10/03/Canon-PowerShot-SX110-IS

Here I'd suggest looking at pp. 5 & 6 and compare results with those of other cameras on their database.

The other website is:

(2) http://www.cameras.co.uk/reviews/canon-powershot-sx110-is.cfm

Here again I'd suggest looking at sample shots, especially the outdoor, indoor flash and low light portraits, and then compare their quality with that of other cameras on their database.

CHDK has a build for the SX 110 to allow shooting in RAW (along with all the additional features like live histogram, battery gauge, etc.):

http://mighty-hoernsche.de/

The SX110 is not perfect (only 35 mm wide angle, no optical viewfinder, no adaptability to converter lenses, not terrific in low light), but its IQ appears very good, and its 10x zoom is very generous in most situations, besides great Canon color, and a pretty good price.

[keetabagel]

From what I've seen on the internet (never held one in my hand), the Canon SX 110 IS does look like what you want. Two websites that I find give good estimates of image quality are:

(1) http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2008/10/03/Canon-PowerShot-SX110-IS

Here I'd suggest looking at pp. 5 & 6 and compare results with those of other cameras on their database.

The other website is:

(2) http://www.cameras.co.uk/reviews/canon-powershot-sx110-is.cfm

Here again I'd suggest looking at sample shots, especially the outdoor, indoor flash and low light portraits, and then compare their quality with that of other cameras on their database.

CHDK has a build for the SX 110 to allow shooting in RAW (along with all the additional features like live histogram, battery gauge, etc.):

http://mighty-hoernsche.de/

The SX110 is not perfect (only 35 mm wide angle, no optical viewfinder, no adaptability to converter lenses, not terrific in low light), but its IQ appears very good, and its 10x zoom is very generous in most situations, besides great Canon color, and a pretty good price.

Do you think it is a better camera than the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5A?

[AndyfromVA]

The TZ5 (the A means it's blue) is a fine camera but it's all auto. You have no control over the aperture and shutter speeds. With the SX110is you have the option of full control of both shutter speed, aperture and ISO plus you have both aperture priority and shutter priority modes. This gives you more flexibility in tricky shooting situations.

[keetabagel]

Thanks everyone. Is there a good 15x zoom under $250?

[David Metsky]

Thanks everyone. Is there a good 15x zoom under $250?

Here are your choices - http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraList.php?search=1&manSearch=0&resSearch=0&lcdSearch=0&storageSearch=0&priceSearch=2&cameraTypeSearch=0&zoomSearch=5&lcdTypeSearch=0&batterySearch=0&submit.x=35&submit.y=9

You can't evaluate "good" without knowing what you are expecting to use the camera for. If low light high ISO shooting is critical, then none of these will be really good.

[bascom]

I think a small ultrazoom like the Pan TZ4, TZ5, or Canon SX110 is best for you. They take good photos, are easy to carry, and most places sell them for $200 to $250. When shooting in low resolution the TZ4 and TZ5 have extended optical zoom. It is 15.9x for TZ4 and 16.9x for TZ5.

I have the Canon A610 with 4x but like you wanted more zoom. I got the TZ5 two weeks ago and am enjoying it greatly. It's going to be great for hiking and biking this Spring and Summer. The wide angle is a nice bonus. Anyone of these has nice features. I went for the TZ5 for the better LCD and extended zoom range.

TZ4
2.5" LCD with 230k
28-280mm zoom extends to 445mm
li-ion battery
video with zoom

TZ5
3.0" LCD with 460k
28-280mm zoom extends to 473mm
li-ion battery
video with zoom

SX110
3.0" LCD with 230k
35-350mm zoom
AA batteries
full manual controls
CHDK available for video with zoom

[David Metsky]

Ooh, I didn't know CHDK enables optical zoom with video. If I could get that on my SD800 ....

:D

Time to download the hack.

[keetabagel]

When shooting in low resolution the TZ4 and TZ5 have extended optical zoom. It is 15.9x for TZ4 and 16.9x for TZ5.

Thanks, I forgot it had that feature! I think I'm going to go with the TZ5 - it seems to have a lot that appeals to me and the reviews I've seen sound great, pictures look nice. Thanks for the help everyone =)