The best mid-zoom compact cameras 2011: our top 5
- Thu, 13 Oct 2011
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Top 5 mid-zoom travel compacts 2011
We list the top 5 mid-zoom compact cameras on the market:
The 'travel zoom' or 'mid-zoom' compact camera market has grown in strength over the last couple of years. It's now possible to buy a camera for just a few hundred pounds that covers a large zoom range - that being the ability to shoot large groups without having to step back a hundred steps, or by use of the lens, to zoom in on far away action in the distance. Its this coupled with a small build that makes mid-zoom compacts versatile yet powerful - they're worthy investments for holidays or all your day-to-day shots. Here are our top 5 mid-zoom compact cameras 2011...
Canon Powershot SX230 IS
Canon's SX230 IS was a favourite when we group tested travel compacts earlier in the year.
The images quality from this Canon's 12.1-megapixel back-lit CMOS sensor is what gives it the winning stamp. With a 14x optical zoom providing a 28-392mm range, the ‘IS' (optical image stabilisation) designation in the name comes into use here to ensure images are kept sharp when shooting at full extension.
You also get 1080p HD movie capture, full manual control plus plenty of Scene and Auto modes for ease of use.
See the travel compacts group test that features the SX230...
Panasonic Lumix TZ20
Price: £248
Despite its boxy appearance, the TZ20 is a bit of a powerhouse under the hood.
Its 16x optical zoom Leica lens can capture shots from a super-wide 24mm through to telephoto 384mm equivalent.
Plus, with 1080p HD movie mode that can record while zooming in and out, the Panasonic has all your still and moving image bases covered.
See full review of the Panasonic Lumix TZ20...
Fujifilm Finepix F550EXR
Price: £200
Fuji's foray into the travel zoom market is a strong contender: its small price doesn't reflect upon its big features (in part due to the F600EXR that's due in the near future).
The camera has full manual controls and, unlike most of the competition, the F550EXR has the ability to capture Raw files for the utmost control.
For the price there are few mid-zoom compact cameras that can keep up with this 15x zoom marvel.
See full review of the Fujifilm F550EXR...
Sony Cyber-shot HX9V
Price: £289
Sony has really stepped up to the mark with its mid-zoom HX9V.
A great travel compact this 16x zoom has it all and there's very little to complain about indeed.
In-camera GPS (global positioning satellite) can track where shots are taken, the 16.2-megapixel back-lit sensor takes cracking shots and Sony favourites such as Sweep Panorama also preside alongside full manual controls.
See full review of the Sony Cybershot HX9V...
Nikon Coolpix S8200
Price: £279
Although it doesn't have the full manual control of its competitors, Nikon's 14x zoom compact is great for point-and-shoot photographers.
The image quality from its 16-megapizel back-lit CMOS sensor is excellent by compact standards and the 1080p HD movie mode is a bonus to have too.
As the newest of these mid-zoom compact cameras the Nikon's asking price may seem a little high by comparison but it'll come down steadily over time. But the likes of its 3in high-res 921k-dot screen does outperform much of the competition in terms of visible detail by a fair margin.
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Latest comments
October 06 23:14
Matt Baker
Bit of a surprise seeing the Fuji F80 EXR in there, I have read the F80 full review (WDC.com) as it looks very similar to the F70 (which I have), turns out it is based on the F70 but rated lower! The (excellent) sensor in the F70 has been upped from 10MP to 12 and seemingly not for the better. The only other differences are 720p recording and body colour. Both share the same case, lens, 10x zoom, slightly below par battery life, and weight. Surely the F70 should be in there, or is it considered 'best at time of test' only. For the record, the F70 was rated at 93%, hence my purchase. This F80 is rated at 86%...