I am looking for a "super Zoom" camera, have looked @ DSC-HX400/B for its 50x optical zoom. How is the zoom on this camera? 8x optical seems limited.
1581802
This is not a super zoom camera. The HX400 will get you closer but will not be able to take higher IQ photos. You can take the same shot with this and crop it with better results. I have both cameras and wrote up a full comparison using both on safari here:http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54037390
1581803
Check out the Panasonic FZ1000. It has the same 1" sensor as this Sony RX10 but a 16x zoom. It gets very good reviews and is a bit less expensive than the RX10. It is slightly larger and heavier, but only slightly. It can shoot 4K video, which the RX10 cannot. (The just-announced RX10 Mark II will be able to shoot 4K video. It goes on sale in July.). Good luck.
1581804
This is a,great camera ..the zoom length is perfect..only down side is that it does not focus very fast
1581805
You have to weigh that against the Sony's excellent optics and continuous F2.8 minimum aperture. No 50x optical zoom is going to be worth much. I love the RX10.
1581806
if you plan on shooting only or mostly outdoors, then the superzoom might be better for you BUT... those superzoom cameras have very slooooooooooowwwwwww lenses which are terrible in low light situations. the advantage the RX10 has over all of the other superzooms is that it's got a super fast lens made by Zeiss. Also, as you zoom with other superzooms, the aperture changes so that it will become progressively darker as you reach into the tele range--the RX10 stays the same as you zoom. If you are buying the camera to shoot surfing, the superzoom would be better, but if you want an all around competent camera, it's tough to beat the RX10! pmrphoto.com if you plan on shooting only or mostly outdoors, then the superzoom might be better for you BUT... those superzoom cameras have very slooooooooooowwwwwww lenses which are terrible in low light situations. the advantage the RX10 has over all of the other superzooms is that it's got a super fast lens made by Zeiss. Also, as you zoom with other superzooms, the aperture changes so that it will become progressively darker as you reach into the tele range--the RX10 stays the same as you zoom. If you are buying the camera to shoot surfing, the superzoom would be better, but if you want an all... » Read More if you plan on shooting only or mostly outdoors, then the superzoom might be better for you BUT... those superzoom cameras have very slooooooooooowwwwwww lenses which are terrible in low light situations. the advantage the RX10 has over all of the other superzooms is that it's got a super fast lens made by Zeiss. Also, as you zoom with other superzooms, the aperture changes so that it will become progressively darker as you reach into the tele range--the RX10 stays the same as you zoom. If you are buying the camera to shoot surfing, the superzoom would be better, but if you want an all around competent camera, it's tough to beat the RX10! pmrphoto.com « Show Less
1581807
SuperZoom cameras take terrible pictures. What's the point having a large zoom if pictures are not worth looking at. Get a moderate zoom similar to Sony RX10.
1581808
This is not a super zoom camera. The HX400 will get you closer but will not be able to take higher IQ photos. You can take the same shot with this and crop it with better results. I have both cameras and wrote up a full comparison using both on safari here: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54037390
1581809
Basically this camera is 24-200mm. My husband has the hx300. Yes, the zoom is farther on the hx300 but for my needs the IQ of the rx is better. Fyi, there is a book I just bought by A. White from Amazon that is a guide to the rx10 that is in-depth regarding the operation of the rx. I am finding it very helpful.
1480054
No, optical zoom range is not so bad - especially when you compare it with the average 4/3 camera with zoom lens that is 3.5-5.6 and has a kit lens of 14-42mm. I think what is truly a problem is the fact that even sitting across the table from someone, you cannot even take a real picture of him/ her because of the camera's problem with - even relative - closeness.
391685
I noticed that the SD 960 actually has a faster lens than the SX 200, but I much prefer the beefier body styling and extra zoom on the SX 200. I just wonder how much a difference F/3.4 compared to a F/2.8 in a compact camera like this would really make? I've also been thinking about picking up the LX3, but hearing you say you would trade in makes me wonder, have you found the F/2.0 lense to be a big difference compared to other compacts?
474710
I have been looking into buying one of the two as well. One of my interests is birds. The have the highest zoom Nikon 36 zoom and canon 35 zoom and all in one piece. Does anyone use either for birding?Thank you!
948235
I've been waiting for this camera to be released here in the US but after researching it I'm thinking that the SX10IS will be better for photos (in the superzoom group that is). Here's a link for an in depth review (which does not include the RAW feature since it has not been released yet). http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_PowerShot_SX1_IS/
517879
I have a Canon SX40HS that I love. I'm not sure if you have the same camera, but it sounds like you do. It's the only small camera I have. My other is a Nikon D60 with a 200 mm lens. I love it too, but it's much bigger, and I only use it for serious photo shoots. My little camera does a great job, so it's the one I use most.
1310572
It does not zoom. It's fixed at 25mm, which is equivalent to 50mm in 35mm lens terms. At that focal length, it's a perfect all around lens - street shooting, medium portraiture, it can do it all. Quite sharp, I think. Like it a lot.
1167968
There is a digital zoom but no optical zoom. Meaning, if you zoom in you loose quality--you loose resolution. This is not a problem if you record video at a higher rate than you are publishing.
132872
Well, I'm now reading about another option: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20/B 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom and Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization.This one compares to the Panasonic ZS3 and both sell for approximately the same price. I guess I'm still stuck in wanting to figure out which one of these models (DSC-H20, ZS3, DSC-W350, W370) can do all of the things they promised but at a faster speed.
2179928
It is observable by real people like me. I have canon SX10, which is super zoom 20X. You can't even compare this more or less recent camera to my old horse DSLR Nikon D50. Quality of the image isn't simply there. DSLR is always producing better images than super zoom compact, always.
588408
I don't know why they dropped the MP . I really like the bigger zoom , but the lack of MP is a big disadvantage . I also take my older version with me on photo shoots because of the better MP. My idea was to get a better camera for distant wildlife shots , but now I have to carry 2 cameras . It's a good camera , but would be much better with greater MP .
154001
Thank you. I bought the 2sx230 on 11/11/11 and I noticed outside in the bright sun light it captures movement well well and pretty sharp. Inside not so well. I want very much to learn how to use the ISO and how to make great photos using the manual functions. I bought the canon for its size, I will be traveling which is why I wanted a small camera. The shutter speed seemed to be the fastest. Thanks again these comments are very helpful, I'm really looking forward to getting to know my new camera.
578159
Hello Paul, I have the Sony nex 5 camera and I need a lense with a higher zoom, which do you recommed??the 350 dollar one or the 800 dollar one?? and what is the difference between the too??Thanks
423147
Thanks, Tech Guy! So the "optical stabilization" feature is one thing I notice not all the lenses have, and I assume becomes more critical with more zoom?Annette, I'm glad I could help. I'm not a great photographer, but I've been fortunate enough to get some pretty good pix, both with film and digital. For me, the 2 best things about digital are 1) not having that little voice in the back of my head saying "you're going to spend a fortune getting these developed" while I'm trying to get the perfect shot; and 2) not having to wait for them!!
1247417
Because it's not possible...that's why. The optical zoom is what it is. If it's a 10x optical zoom, that's all you're going to get. The reviewer mentioned that she bought the camera and had no (nada) photo experience. If you are getting more than the optical rating it's because the camera is going into the digital zoom realm...
1254701
I know this has a wonderful optical zoom lense vs. others which use a digital zoom feature. Optical quality is always better with the zoom feature. If the 16mp has the same optical zoom, then its really not a big deal. Unless your printing a huge poster, the higher megapixels are wasted anyway. This is a very good camera!
1461547
I don't think "cheapo" is an accurate description. I have problems with focus at extended zoom range. Sony's DSC-HX400/B may be better. Check out the features. The DSC-HX400/B only claims 50x but does mention stabilty as well as other enhancements. Worth a look.