| One of the most important features that consumers | | | | Primarily, the average was a 10x lens, but now that |
| look at when buying a digital camera is its zoom range | | | | number is about double. Not only are the |
| capability. Whether you are going to the zoo and want | | | | manufacturers improving the length the lens can see, |
| to get close ups of the animals, or just for personal | | | | but they are improving the field of vision and width. |
| use, zoom is one of the most important features. | | | | Seven cameras, which are probably the best digital |
| Many also want a compact camera with this feature, | | | | zoom cameras include: |
| as it is easier to carry around. | | | | Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD |
| There are a few advantages of a smaller sensor, in | | | | Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd |
| comparison to its larger counterpart, SRL's. The main | | | | Canon Powershot SX10 IS |
| advantage is that you need a smaller lens, and you | | | | Nikon Coolpix P80 |
| can fit a high zoom range into a small camera which | | | | Olympus SP-565UZ |
| can still be carried around conveniently. In early 2000, | | | | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 |
| Sony and Olympus offered a few cameras with a 10x | | | | Sony Cybershot DSC-H50 |
| zoom, which were a bit bulky and more expensive, | | | | These seven cameras all have a zoom range of 12x |
| were still smaller than their counterpart SLR, and had a | | | | or more, and some of the highest wide angle views as |
| lens which was just as powerful. Many buyers look at | | | | well. They also all over image stabilization (either optical |
| these two factors, price and portability. | | | | or mechanical), which is important for people who are |
| Superzoom cameras offer such large zoom ranges | | | | using such a strong zoom lens. Some other important |
| that they are almost impossible to match with film | | | | features that these cameras contain include electronic |
| cameras. The lenses are large, yet small enough to be | | | | viewfinder, full control when taking photos. Generally, |
| able to have a small, compact camera, that is | | | | these cameras all look quite similar. They are not too |
| convenient for users to carry around. | | | | big, and are built with a similar design. Often times, |
| Manufacturers are continuously competing to come | | | | many of these cameras will actual contain the same |
| out with the camera with the best zoom range. | | | | lens as one of their counterparts. |