(Dec 15, 2008)
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-H50 (Black)
Though its lens isn't as wide and suffers from many of the same lens artifacts as its competitors, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 is a good megazoom camera with a lot of features for experiment-minded snapshooters.
Price: $289.99 - $473.59 (check prices)
Review date: Sep 3, 2008
Very good
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Canon PowerShot S5 IS
Though it remains a good megazoom, thanks to continued image and lens artifacts, the Canon PowerShot S5 IS is slowly losing ground to competitors.
Price: $279.95 - $449.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 11, 2007
Very good
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 (Black)
Though it's not perfect, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5's compact midrange megazoom feature set puts it in a class with just its sibling, the TZ4, and should deliver a satisfying shooting experience.
Price: $242.04 - $320.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 23, 2008
Very good
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Canon PowerShot SX100 IS (black)
Though the Canon PowerShot SX100 produces excellent photos, other aspects of the camera--some performance issues and operational annoyances, to name two--dim its luster.
Price: $195.95 - $396.55 (check prices)
Review date: Oct 16, 2007
Very good
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 (Silver)
A decent but not great camera, the megazoom Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 still manages to outdo its few competitors.
Price: $364.99 (check prices)
Review date: Nov 27, 2007
Very good
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Kodak EasyShare Z712 IS
Kodak's EasyShare Z712 IS is a nice superzoom, especially for the price, though its image quality does falter at higher ISOs.
Price: $401.99 (check prices)
Review date: Aug 2, 2007
Very good
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Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 (Black)
If you shoot primarily outdoors in daytime--especially sports, children and animals--the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 is a great choice. The cheaper DSC-H7 has a smaller LCD, lacks infrared shooting, and has a few interface differences, but is otherwise identical.
Price: $296.99 - $436.67 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 19, 2007
Very good
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Nikon Coolpix P80
One of the better 18x megazooms, nevertheless you should consider the Nikon Coolpix P80's sluggish performance before you commit to it.
Price: $282.95 - $349.99 (check prices)
Review date: Jun 9, 2008
Very good
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Canon PowerShot SX110 IS (black)
Though it's certainly a good, inexpensive megazoom camera, some aspects of the Canon PowerShot SX110 IS fall a bit short of its predecessor.
Price: $199.95 - $279.99 (check prices)
Review date: Dec 12, 2008
Very good
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