Pocket Camera with High Zoom?

[kelleigh1]

Can anyone recommend a nice digital camera that will be easy to carry around the parks which comes with a pretty high zoom?

My husband has a Sony Cybershot and it has pretty much nothing for Zoom. I think it's a 5X. I currently have a Samsung Digimax that was pretty much outdated as soon as I took it out of the box. It has a decent zoom (10x maybe), but the picture quality just isn't that great.

I'd really like to get a new camera before our Oct trip, but I want something that I can easy carry in my little bag. Eventually I do want something bigger with more features, but not for this trip. For this I'm looking for something easy and portable.


Thank you!!!

 

[PuppyPrincess]

I'd be interested to hear what options are out there too - I also have an October trip. Looking for something small to carry, not wanting to spend much more than $200, if possible?

 

[hakepb]

I really enjoy the versatility of the 20x zoom (25-500 mm equivelent) on my Sony DSC HX-30 (same camera as the HX-20 + wifi).

It's fun to do things like take pictures of Wishes from the Boardwalk

You can look at my trip report here:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2968238

Of course I would recommend looking into the Canon sx260 and Panasonic TZ30 (and a 20 without a touchscreen?) at a site like dpreview.com and try them out in stores.


Let me know if you have any Sony questions.

 

[hakepb]

I'd be interested to hear what options are out there too - I also have an October trip. Looking for something small to carry, not wanting to spend much more than $200, if possible?

There have been a few reports of the Sony HX-20 for $299 in a few stores.

I recall seeing an occasional Canon SX230 hot deal last year approaching $200.

I would not recommend a Sony H90 to cut costs. (cameras made to hit a low price point, just can't compare IQ / feature /build quality wise) The 16x HX10 is a solid choice though.

 

[FINFAN]

Panasonic Lumix zs8 . You can get it under $200 on Amazon
I have one and love it.

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs8/4505-6501_7-34505717.html

 

[kelleigh1]

Thanks for the info. I'll be shopping this weekend since it's tax free here. I'm making a list of things to look at so I appreciate the input!

A few people recommended the Canon SX260, so glad to see you like that one too hakepb. Great photos in your trip report too, so I'll definitely take a look at the Sony too.

 

[kelleigh1]

I went with the Canon SX260 and thought I'd share a picture I just took in my front yard. I am going to have so much fun with this camera.

 

[summerw]

There have been a few reports of the Sony HX-20 for $299 in a few stores.

Do you remember which stores? Sounds like an amazing deal!

 

[hakepb]

Do you remember which stores? Sounds like an amazing deal!

That was a mid-July price at Fry's electronics:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=42049442

I haven't heard of a similiar deal lately.

 

[summerw]

That was a mid-July price at Fry's electronics:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1009&message=42049442

I haven't heard of a similiar deal lately.

Too bad I missed it. I'm thinking that might be the camera for us if we can find the right deal. Thanks for responding!

 

[hakepb]

Too bad I missed it. I'm thinking that might be the camera for us if we can find the right deal. Thanks for responding!

FYI there is another reported deal, the HX30 for $299 at Frys:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3279095

 

[WDWFigment]

It has a decent zoom (10x maybe), but the picture quality just isn't that great.

With point and shoot cameras, you can't have both. The more optical zoom the camera offers, the more image quality suffers.

Personally, I'd take less zoom and better image quality.

 

[disneymarie]

Can anyone recommend a nice digital camera that will be easy to carry around the parks which comes with a pretty high zoom?

My husband has a Sony Cybershot and it has pretty much nothing for Zoom. I think it's a 5X. I currently have a Samsung Digimax that was pretty much outdated as soon as I took it out of the box. It has a decent zoom (10x maybe), but the picture quality just isn't that great.

I'd really like to get a new camera before our Oct trip, but I want something that I can easy carry in my little bag. Eventually I do want something bigger with more features, but not for this trip. For this I'm looking for something easy and portable.


Thank you!!!

Panasonic Lumix I have is 16 mp 20X zoom DMC -Z58. Love a Lumix,

 

[donac]

Panasonic Lumix I have is 16 mp 20X zoom DMC -Z58. Love a Lumix,

Mine is a 14 mp Lumix with a 20x optical zoom and I love it.

 

[Alexsandra]

The best rated right now is the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS. I tried it at the store. It is spectacular. Beautiful picture quality, good filming quality, great easy to use functions. I opted for a non zoom lens to reduce noise on picture quality, however if you want the zoom, i highly suggest this one. Check out reviews here: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sx260-hs/4505-6501_7-35137435.html
Good luck