megazoom

First Take: Nikon Coolpix S8000

The Nikon Coolpix S8000 is a 14-megapixel compact megazoom with a 10x Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens on front and a 3-inch 921K-dot LCD on back. It's also one of the slimmest 10x zoom cameras currently available. Nikon was late to adding HD video capture to its compact cameras, but that feature is available on the S8000 as is a stereo mic, which is still a bit of a rarity. An HDMI output is built in, too, for quickly connecting to an HDTV or monitor for viewing photos and movies.

Other features include Optical VR image stabilization, macro shooting as … Read more

First Take: Nikon Coolpix L110

Nikon's Coolpix L100 and L20 were very popular models last year and actually continue to be well trafficked on CNET. That has a lot to do with their price tags and far less to do with their quality. I didn't review the L20, but the L100 was a fairly weak camera. (But it had a 15x zoom for less than $250!) Nikon is now announcing their updates: the Coolpix L110 and L22.

For the same MSRP as the L100 ($279.95), Nikon increased the camera resolution to 12 megapixels and the 3-inch LCD resolution from 230K dots to … Read more

Shootin' the moon with Panasonic's SDR-T50

Panasonic's 2010 standard-definition camcorders all feature a 70x zoom lens (as did its 2009 models). That's a long range that I'm still not sure is entirely useful for most people. Mostly because you really need to have it on a tripod or other stable support so that the video isn't a nauseatingly shaky mess. That, and it's a little creepy that you can capture video of someone blocks away without their knowledge. On the other hand, you can do fun stuff like capture a movie of the moon with fairly good detail.

This video was … Read more

Pentax megazoom gets minor updates

Pentax's X70 24x zoom camera was one of the better extreme megazooms we tested last year. The 2010 version of it--the 12-megapixel X90--features a slightly longer 26x f2.8-5 26-676mm-equivalent lens in a compact body measuring 4.4 inches wide by 3.3 inches deep by 4.3 inches deep with a weight of 15 ounces. Other than the lens, the X90 doesn't change much from 2009.

The X90 has full manual and semimanual controls, sensor-shift image stabilization, 2.7-inch LCD and electronic viewfinder, and support for Eye-Fi wireless SD memory cards.

It isn't overflowing with shooting … Read more

Sony guts HX5V 10x megazoom, results in H55

Yay. Another compact megazoom on the market. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V impressed us at CES 2010 with its 10x zoom, wide-angle Sony G lens, backside-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, built-in GPS, and 1080p movie capture with a stereo mic--all inside a compact, pocketable body. The H55 is its less capable linemate.

Basically, most of the good stuff has been taken out except for the lens and its body with 3-inch LCD. The H55 features a 14-megapixel CCD, a 720p movie mode with mono sound, optical image stabilization with Sony's Active Mode for smoother video while walking, and a version … Read more

Exclusive: Nikon Coolpix P100 reviewed

The P100 is Nikon's top-of-the-line megazoom camera, extending out to a questionably useful 26x. Along with that lens it has many features and capabilities, thanks, in part, to its backside-illuminated 10-megapixel CMOS sensor.

The P100 offers high-speed continuous shooting of stills at up to 120 frames per second and video at up to 240fps. It has a regular movie mode, too, that goes up to 1080p HD quality. There are also shooting modes for creating high-dynamic-range photos and taking handheld low-light shots.

Controls are easy to use and menu systems are clean and simple to navigate, making experimentation with … Read more

Canon rolls out four PowerShots for spring

Canon's PowerShots are my go-to cameras for best photo quality. However, when it comes to cutting-edge features or shooting options, the company tends to lag behind much of the competition. I'm still on the fence about whether this is a bad thing, but regardless, Monday it announced four PowerShots, three of them refreshes of older models as well as the new SD3500 IS. Judging by the specs, my opinion holds true.

Overall, the updated models don't appear all that different from the prior models; just some minor improvements to features, boosts in resolution (hooray, more 14-megapixel compacts), a couple new photo effects, and Eye-Fi support. The SD3500 looks good for those who like touch-screen interfaces, but otherwise it doesn't seem to break new ground for the category.

Lastly, it looks like Canon is steering clear of optical viewfinders, so if you need an ultracompact camera with one, I suggest you pick up an SD780 IS or SD1200 IS while they're still around; the SD1400 IS and SD1300 IS will replace them, respectively.

PowerShot SX210 IS 14 megapixels 14x 28mm-equivalent wide-angle lens 3-inch LCD HD video (720p) with stereo sound HDMI output Optical image stabilization Dynamic mode reducing camera shake while recording movies New Fisheye and Miniature effects Eye-Fi support SD/SDHC memory cards Lithium ion rechargeable battery Choice of black, purple, and gold $349.99, March 2010… Read more

Ricoh 10x compact a little different than the rest

It's been a few months since we've heard anything from Ricoh. That product, the GXR, was very original compared with what the company has announced Wednesday, the CX3. However, that's not to say it's not worth checking out.

The CX3 is a compact megazoom using a 10.7x 28-300mm-equivalent lens, a 10-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, 720p HD movie mode, and a 3-inch 920K-dot LCD. The camera does many of the new shooting options available thanks to the BSI CMOS sensors including high-speed burst shooting at 5fps at full resolution and improved dynamic range and low-light … Read more

Nikon Coolpix P100 is like P90, but really it's not

So this is the Nikon Coolpix P100. It's a complete overhaul inside and out of the flagship P90. The changes include, for starters, the zoom on the camera's f2.8-5 26-678mm-equivalent lens now goes out to 26x (just in case you were still having trouble seeing into your neighbor's house or their neighbor's house). Though you really don't want to use a zoom like that without a support, the camera does have sensor-shift image stabilization, contrary to Nikon calling it Optical VR.

While I'm on the sensor, it uses a 10-megapixel backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS … Read more