Dave's Picks

Long Zoom

Camera Name		Res	Lens	Avg. Price
Most Popular Long Shot Cameras
	Canon PowerShot SX50 HS	12.1	50.00x	$422.18 Check Prices
	Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200	12.1	24.00x	$563.10 Check Prices
	Canon PowerShot SX260 HS	12.1	20.00x	$277.27 Check Prices
	Nikon Coolpix P510	16.1	42.00x	$283.81 Check Prices
	Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS	10.1	12.00x	$132.33 Check Prices
	Pentax X-5	16.0	26.00x	$240.95 Check Prices
	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V	18.2	30.00x	$404.66 Check Prices
	Canon PowerShot SX40 HS	12.1	35.00x	$397.48 Check Prices
	Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V	18.2	20.00x	$349.00 Check Prices
	Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2	16.1	10.00x	$1,499.95 Check Prices

	Res	Lens	Avg. Price
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS	12.1	50.00x	$424.83
Superzoom, super pictures, super simple to use Canon has outdone itself once again. Boasting a whopping 50x optical zoom range (24-1200mm equivalent) and excellent image quality... (more) Superzoom, super pictures, super simple to use Canon has outdone itself once again. Boasting a whopping 50x optical zoom range (24-1200mm equivalent) and excellent image quality for its class, the Canon SX50 may not only be the company's finest megazoom offering to date, but also the best megazoom we've ever tested. Improved image stabilization and advanced features such as RAW capture vault it over its predecessor, though it does suffer some of the same expected shortcomings, including poor low-light autofocus performance and fuzzy images at ISO 800 and above. Learn more by reading our in-depth Canon SX50 review here, or buy one right now! (minimize)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200	12.1	24.00x	$553.99
A superzoom camera with a super bright lens Panasonic pumped some new excitement into its acclaimed superzoom line when it paired a Leica-branded f2/.8 lens with the ... (more) A superzoom camera with a super bright lens Panasonic pumped some new excitement into its acclaimed superzoom line when it paired a Leica-branded f2/.8 lens with the Panasonic FZ200. That's a constant f/2.8 max aperture across the entire 24x optical zoom range, which is a rarity among long zooms these days and -- teamed with the camera's excellent AF system -- it proved to perform well in low-light and high shutter speed situations. There's a lot more to like about the FZ200, including a 12 fps, high-res burst mode and Full HD 1080p video recording (at up to 60 fps!). And advanced photographic controls such as manual exposure and focusing, as well as RAW image capture, mean it's a viable alternative for enthusiasts wanting a lightweight, everyday alternative to a heavy, bulky DSLR with multiple zoom lenses (at least in good light), and a serious step up for beginners wanting more zoom range. The FZ200's relatively small sensor does force some compromises on image quality (like almost every other camera in its class), but the camera's convenience and versatility make it one of the best superzooms on the market. Read our Panasonic FZ200 review for more details, or buy one here. (minimize)
Pentax X-5	16.0	26.00x	$240.95
Entry-level, versatile superzoom makes taking pictures fun and easy Boasting a 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and a 26x optical zoom lens, the ... (more) Entry-level, versatile superzoom makes taking pictures fun and easy Boasting a 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and a 26x optical zoom lens, the Pentax X-5 offers family, travel and beginning photographers a serious-looking, but ultimately easy-to-use camera that can capture good photos at a long distance. The camera features a ton of preset modes and automated functions that make picture taking fun and simple. And the X-5's 22-580mm equivalent range can bring the action up nice and close. Though it may look and feel like a DSLR, the X-5 is clearly not geared for enthusiasts wanting advanced photographic capabilities or DSLR-like image quality. While the X-5 delivers crisp, detailed images in good light -- most likely where casual photographers would use it most -- it doesn't fare as well at higher ISOs and when shooting in dim or overcast conditions. It's also a slow camera to operate, especially for candid work. Still, at its price point and with its point-and-shoot lineage, the Pentax X-5 does a lot of things right, and ranks as one of the best entry-level superzoom models we've tested. Click here for our full Pentax X-5 review or go buy one now. (minimize)

	Res	Lens	Avg. Price
Canon PowerShot ELPH 310 HS	12.1	8.00x	$249.99
A no-nonsense pocket camera with an 8x zoom that's fun to shoot... (more) A no-nonsense pocket camera with an 8x zoom that's fun to shoot We tend to review more enthusiast digital cameras than easy pocket designs, but every once in a while we get a simple digital camera that inspires our creativity despite its lack of controls. The Canon PowerShot 310 HS struck a particular chord with its 8x zoom and nice, big high-res LCD, and reasonable set of Canon Scene modes. We found it a lot of fun to use, and its simplicity actually encouraged our creativity! Click here to see what was so special about the Canon 310 HS! (minimize)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 510 HS	12.1	12.00x	$230.97
A long zoom, touchscreen digital camera that slips into a small pocket... (more) A long zoom, touchscreen digital camera that slips into a small pocket Designed to take on the smartphone, the Canon 510 HS includes a blend of features to attract the savvy photographer. First, this digital camera has a 12x zoom lens with an impressive range from 28-336mm equivalent. Next, the Canon 510 employs a touchscreen so users can do just about everything without pressing a single button. Though we had a little trouble with the touchscreen at first, an aha! moment struck us and we learned to simply press a little harder on the screen, since the Canon 510 HS uses a different technology for its touchscreen, probably on purpose. Click here to read our Canon 510 HS review! (minimize)
Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS	10.1	12.00x	$132.33
The long-zoom "everywhere" camera just got smaller... (more) The long-zoom "everywhere" camera just got smaller Iconic and capable at the same time, the PowerShot 520 HS represents quite an evolution in Canon's classic ELPH design. Duplicating the same diminutive shape and size as its spiritual predecessors, the Canon 520 offers a 12x zoom ranging from 28-336mm with optical image stabilization. Its 3-inch LCD has a higher resolution of 461K-dots, and its simple control set and intelligent exposure modes make getting good stills and videos easy. Click here for our review of the Canon 520 HS! (minimize)
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS	12.1	14.00x	$299.99
Pocket long zooms don't get much better than this... (more) Pocket long zooms don't get much better than this Canon takes a quality pocket long zoom and adds both a GPS radio and Full HD video for a more complete package. The resulting Canon PowerShot SX230 delivers good image quality and pretty nice video quality as well, while maintaining that impressive 14x, 28-392mm zoom lens. We found some minor trouble with chromatic aberration, unsurprising at this focal length, but otherwise enjoyed the Canon SX230, indoors and out. It'll make an excellent travel camera, thanks to the wide and long zoom, as well as the GPS to match your photos to a map, and it offers as much automation or manual control as you could want. Click here for our review of the Canon SX230 HS! (minimize)
Canon PowerShot SX260 HS	12.1	20.00x	$277.27
High-quality travel zoom appeals to enthusiasts and novices alike... (more) High-quality travel zoom appeals to enthusiasts and novices alike There's nothing like a pocket travel zoom digital camera when you want to get creative shot on vacation. The PowerShot SX260 HS is Canon's best attempt yet at meeting the needs of both the point-and-shooter and the enthusiast photographer, regardless of the destination. Its 20x zoom has great optical quality, and combined with its 12-megapixel sensor the Canon SX260's image quality is good enough to output a 16 x 20-inch print! What with the built-in GPS, we wish it had a little better battery life, but overall the Canon SX260 is looking pretty good. Click here for our Canon SX260 HS review! (minimize)
Canon PowerShot SX40 HS	12.1	35.00x	$397.48
Further refinement makes a great megazoom excellent... (more) Further refinement makes a great megazoom excellent While Canon's previous megazoom digital camera was a good performer, the PowerShot SX40 HS is a finely tuned upgrade. With the same startling 35x zoom ranging from 24-840mm equivalent, the Canon SX40 sports a new, lower-resolution sensor and a punchy DIGIC 5 processor, resulting in better low light performance and better corner sharpness overall, as well as reduced chromatic aberration. These changes effectively overcome the usual limitations of megazoom cameras, leaving behind only the fun. Click here for our Canon SX40 HS review, or just click here to start shopping for the Canon SX40 HS! (minimize)
Nikon Coolpix P510	16.1	42.00x	$283.81
Nikon does it again with the Coolpix P510!... (more) Nikon does it again with the Coolpix P510! Sometimes product categories are defined by one popular line, and the Nikon P510 continues the tradition of excellence in ultrazoom digital cameras, with a very wide, very long zoom lens and impressive print quality. With a zoom that ranges from 24 to 1,000mm equivalent, it has a tendency to make you see the world differently, allowing you to realize shots you hadn't before imagined. With great handling, a nice grip, an articulated LCD and built-in GPS, the Nikon P510 offers more than ever before. Click here for our Nikon Coolpix P510 review! (minimize)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2	16.1	10.00x	$1,499.95
Optimized for stills and video, the Panasonic GH2 is a surprisingly capable camera... (more) Optimized for stills and video, the Panasonic GH2 is a surprisingly capable camera Though most of today's digital SLRs and CSCs can do video, only a few are made for video, among them the Panasonic GH2, whose sensor and autofocus system are tuned for both stills and video. Capable of capturing 16-megapixel stills and 1080i HD video, the Panasonic GH2 has a faster sensor and a Venus Engine FHD processor, both tuned for recording video at a faster bit rate than the GH1. Autofocus for stills is blazing fast, especially for a contrast-detect system, easily rivaling SLRs in speed, and that speed is useful in the Panasonic GH2's video recording as well, as one of the few hybrid cameras that can autofocus during recording. With both an articulating, touch-sensitive LCD and a superb Electronic Viewfinder, the Panasonic GH2 offers a little more than most compact system cameras, but it's also a little larger than most, coming close in size to a small consumer SLR. Stereo recording and a high ISO of 12,800 round out the package. Panasonic's selection of excellent lenses, as well as those from other Micro Four Thirds vendors, assures a good selection of available optics, including a special 3D lens which we also try. Click here for more on the Panasonic GH2! (minimize)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V	18.2	30.00x	$404.66
A great all-in-one imaging solution for travel photographers... (more) A great all-in-one imaging solution for travel photographers Superzooms are rather like the Swiss Army knives of the digital camera world. Where some cameras seem tuned for a specific task, superzooms like the Sony HX200V aim to cover every possibly shooting situation. All that zoom reach means compromises must be made. Done right, you get a great travel companion. Done wrong, no amount of zoom will help you. On paper, the Sony HX200V looks impressive: a 30x zoom lens, 18 megapixel sensor, tilting display, geotagging, and more. How does its real-world performance measure up? Read our Sony HX200V review and find out! (minimize)
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX30V	18.2	20.00x	$349.00
A little camera that's "long" on quality features... (more) A little camera that's "long" on quality features The Sony HX30V is a rock-solid pocket camera that packs a lot of punch and features into a relatively small body, all at a fair price. Its long and versatile zoom range, fast autofocus, built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, and excellent Sony creative effects make it a great companion for travel and on-the-go shooting. Read our Sony HX30V review for all the details. (minimize)