A Photography forum. PhotoBanter.com

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » PhotoBanter.com forum » Digital Photography » Digital Point & Shoot Cameras
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

What level of zoom is recommended



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old May 13th 06, 12:10 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.point+shoot
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What level of zoom is recommended

I am close to buying a new digital camera.
I have been researching quite a bit on various models, but I am undecided
whether to go with a 4x optical zoom, or
spend more and go with a 10-12x optical zoom. Is the upgrade in zoom worth
the extra $$, any tradeoffs to going higher zoom besides price? Any
information appreciated.


  #2  
Old May 13th 06, 03:09 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.point+shoot
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What level of zoom is recommended

On 2006-05-13, snow wrote:
I am close to buying a new digital camera.
I have been researching quite a bit on various models, but I am undecided
whether to go with a 4x optical zoom, or
spend more and go with a 10-12x optical zoom. Is the upgrade in zoom worth
the extra $$, any tradeoffs to going higher zoom besides price? Any
information appreciated.


The greater the zoom range, the more difficult it will be to hold the
camera steady at the 'longest' setting ('zoomed right in'). It's also
likely that the lens will let through less light at the longest settings,
which makes the problem of 'camera shake' even worse. Some sort of 'image
stabilisation' will be required unless you are prepared to use a solid
tripod.

Image quality is likely to be sacrificed in order to achieve an extreme
zoom range; whether that is enough to matter to you, only you can know.

If there are particular models you have in mind, see if they have been
reviewed by magazines or on-line web sites - for example,
http://www.dpreview.com/ and http://www.steves-digicams.com/.

If you are serious about using very long focal lengths ('zooming in' from a
great distance), consider using a camera that allows you to swap lenses.
The results are likely to be worth the extra cost and trouble.

--
-- ^^^^^^^^^^
-- Whiskers
-- ~~~~~~~~~~
  #3  
Old May 13th 06, 08:21 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.point+shoot
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What level of zoom is recommended

snow wrote:

I am close to buying a new digital camera.
I have been researching quite a bit on various models, but I am undecided
whether to go with a 4x optical zoom, or
spend more and go with a 10-12x optical zoom. Is the upgrade in zoom worth
the extra $$, any tradeoffs to going higher zoom besides price? Any
information appreciated.


Only real tradeoff besides price is physical size. Definitely worth the
money. If you want a shirt pocket camera though you won't get it with a
12x zoom.

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
  #4  
Old May 13th 06, 09:12 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.point+shoot
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What level of zoom is recommended

J. Clarke wrote:
[]
Only real tradeoff besides price is physical size. Definitely worth
the money. If you want a shirt pocket camera though you won't get it
with a 12x zoom.


You might get shirt pocket size with this 10:1 zoom camera...

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06...nasonictz1.asp

David


  #5  
Old May 16th 06, 05:49 AM posted to rec.photo.digital.point+shoot
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What level of zoom is recommended

snow wrote:
I am close to buying a new digital camera.
I have been researching quite a bit on various models, but I am undecided
whether to go with a 4x optical zoom, or
spend more and go with a 10-12x optical zoom. Is the upgrade in zoom worth
the extra $$, any tradeoffs to going higher zoom besides price? Any
information appreciated.


Focusing becomes more difficult at higher zoom settings. Therefore
image stabilization becomes a necessity. Otherwise you'll have to use a
tripod. I have a Kodak P850 which has 12x optical. It's an awesome
camera for the price ($299 at Costco with docking station and carry bag).
  #6  
Old May 18th 06, 12:27 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.point+shoot
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What level of zoom is recommended


"snow" wrote in message
news:29j9g.929$oN2.16@trndny02...
I am close to buying a new digital camera.
I have been researching quite a bit on various models, but I am undecided
whether to go with a 4x optical zoom, or
spend more and go with a 10-12x optical zoom. Is the upgrade in zoom worth
the extra $$, any tradeoffs to going higher zoom besides price? Any
information appreciated.


Depends on what you want to use it for. I bought a 10x camera last year and
I rarely use the camera at that zoom. When I do use it its not for taking
photos but just for looking into the distance.
The trade off of course is that most higher zoom cameras are bigger, so as
others have said, if you want a pocketable camera its better to go for the
lower zoom.


  #7  
Old June 8th 06, 12:57 AM posted to rec.photo.digital.point+shoot
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default What level of zoom is recommended

Check this out....

Sony DSC-H1 12x optical, hand-held (cropped):
http://www.cox-internet.com/kenb2002/MoonShot.jpg


"snow" wrote in message
news:29j9g.929$oN2.16@trndny02...
I am close to buying a new digital camera.
I have been researching quite a bit on various models, but I am undecided
whether to go with a 4x optical zoom, or
spend more and go with a 10-12x optical zoom. Is the upgrade in zoom worth
the extra $$, any tradeoffs to going higher zoom besides price? Any
information appreciated.




 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Zoom Only These Days? Jim Redelfs Digital SLR Cameras 20 July 20th 06 12:26 AM
Zoom lens broken? Jonathan Harden 35mm Photo Equipment 14 April 15th 05 11:10 AM
film vs. digital zoom on P&S Mr.Bolshoy Huy 35mm Photo Equipment 0 February 17th 05 04:40 PM
SLR Zoom David Dyer-Bennet Digital Photography 4 August 8th 04 02:37 AM
Canon zoom question bb Digital Photography 20 July 9th 04 07:51 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:11 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 PhotoBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.