Ultra-Zoom Digital Cameras: Reviews

Updated November 2011

Ultra-zoom cameras bring you closer to the action (up to 35x zoom) than a standard point and shoot, but have a few drawbacks too, such as their larger size. We looked at reviews from tech magazines, consumer publications and users to determine important features and best performing models, which cost around $200 to $400.

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Best ultra-zoom digital camera

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V

*Est. $340 Compare Prices

Long zoom lenses usually force some compromises, but reviewers say the 16x-zoom Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V doesn't make very many. It's pocketable, fast-shooting (up to 10 frames per second) and cranks out good-looking… expandphotos in all but the dimmest light. Above ISO 800, the over-aggressive noise reduction starts to smear away detail, but experts say that happens much faster with other ultra-zooms. The Sony camera also boasts a variety of advanced shooting modes, including 3D image capture and Sweep Panorama, and a 1080p movie mode that delivers class-leading video quality. If you're looking for a longer zoom, reviewers recommend the 35x-zoom Canon PowerShot SX40 HS (*Est. $395). collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

DPReview.com: Slow operation (zooming, viewing videos, etc.) just keeps the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V from winning this comparison test of six ultra-zooms.

Imaging-Resource.com: The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V earns a Dave's Pick designation.

PhotographyBlog.com: PhotographyBlog.com gives a rare 5-star Essential rating to the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V. Its "excellent still images" and video, plus advanced features like 3D sweep panorama, place it "above all of its travel-zoom rivals."

CNET: One of CNET's top recommended ultra-zooms, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V delivers "excellent photo and video quality," lots of features and solid shooting speeds.

ConsumerReports.org: Editors here compare the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V with 26 other ultra-zoom cameras.

Amazon.com: More than 100 owners have reviewed the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V here, and 80 percent of them give it 4 or a perfect 5 stars.

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Buy from Amazon for $329.95
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Budget ultra-zoom digital camera

Canon PowerShot SX130 IS

*Est. $200 Compare Prices

The Canon PowerShot SX130 IS has a 12x zoom and delivers best-in-class images at a reasonably low price. And at 10.9 ounces, it's also smaller and lighter than most long-zoom cameras. Reviewers praise the host of… expandautomatic scene-shooting modes -- such as night snapshot -- but there are manual settings for those who want more control. The Canon SX130 IS shoots HD video (720p) with stereo sound. An optical image stabilizer helps steady images at maximum zoom. Reviewers do complain, however, that the camera is slow, with long shot-to-shot delays. But the low price and top photo quality make the SX130 hard to beat. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

PhotographyBlog.com: Blogger Mark Goldman gives a very detailed review of the Canon PowerShot SX130 IS, comparing it to the earlier SX120 IS. His review includes sample images and video.

StevesDigicams.com: Editor Steve Sanders lists pros and cons and gives a detailed summary of his conclusions about the Canon PowerShot SX130 IS. He says the camera is "great for anyone that is looking for great quality at an affordable price."

DigitalCameraReview.com: Jim Keenan gives a thorough and organized review of the Canon PowerShot SX130IS including sample photos, images of the camera and a sample video clip.

CNET: CNET gives a short video review along with a longer written evaluation.

LetsGoDigital.com: LetsGoDigital.com provides a short, easy to read overview with sample, downloadable photos shot with the Canon SX130 IS. This is more of an explanation of features than an actual review.

Amazon.com: Over 280 customers post their opinions about the Canon PowerShot SX130 IS on Amazon.com giving it an overall score of 4 out of 5.

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Buy from Amazon for $162.95
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Extreme-zoom camera

Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

*Est. $395 Compare Prices

For the widest possible zoom range, the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS starts at a true wide angle (24 mm) and travels all the way to 35x optical zoom (840 mm) -- plus, testers say, it's got a great optical image stabilizer to… expandkeep things from getting shaky at the limits. The SX40 can also zoom while shooting full 1080p HD video with stereo sound, and it includes features you won't find on some other ultra-zooms, like an electronic viewfinder and swiveling LCD screen. This is the successor to the critics' former favorite Canon PowerShot SX30 IS (*Est. $350), but with a superior CMOS image sensor for better image quality and low-light prowess, faster shooting speeds (up to 10 frames per second) and full HD video. If you don't need extreme zoom, the top-rated, 16x-zoom Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V (*Est. $300) could be a better buy. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

DigitalCameraInfo.com: The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is "an ultrazoom superior to all others we've tested so far this year," Christopher Snow says.

TrustedReviews.com: With better image quality and speed than the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS, the updated Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is "a great buy" and a TrustedReviews.com Recommended pick.

PCMag.com: The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is a little too big to fit in a pocket -- that's why the smaller 18x-zoom Nikon Coolpix S9100 is PCMag.com's Editors' Choice ultra-zoom camera -- but the 35x-zoom Canon "can capture telephoto images that a smaller camera couldn't dream of," this test shows.

Amazon.com: Although Amazon.com doesn't shy away from publishing negative reviews, owners post mostly glowing feedback for the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, awarding it an average of 4.5 stars out of 5.

Imaging-Resource.com: Although Imaging-Resource.com hasn't yet fully tested the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, this "first shots" review painstakingly enumerates all of the differences between the SX40 HS and the similar, older Canon PowerShot SX30 IS, and editors post plenty of test shots from the studio and the real world.

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Buy from Amazon for $352.95
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Best compact ultra-zoom camera

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

*Est. $190 Compare Prices

Experts and owners find very few flaws with the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS. It's smaller and lighter than most other ultra-zooms (less than 8 ounces and just over an inch thick), despite its 14x zoom and robust feature set.… expandPhotos even stay clear in fairly low light (ISO 800) where other ultra-zooms turn grainy, and the SX230 HS's full HD video looks impressive, too. However, the zoom length is on the low end for this category; the 16x-zoom Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V (*Est. $300) and 35x-zoom Canon PowerShot SX40 HS (*Est. $395) both outdo it. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

DPReview.com: The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS ties for first place in this six-ultra-zoom shootout.

Imaging-Resource.com: After a week of real-world testing, the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS earns a Dave's Pick.

PhotographyBlog.com: With a 4.5-star (out of 5) Highly Recommended rating, the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS is one of the highest-rated ultra-zoom cameras at this British site.

CNET: High-quality videos, good dim light photos and more earn the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS a Very Good rating and a spot on CNET's list of the best ultra-zoom cameras.

ConsumerReports.org: Editors here test 27 ultra-zoom cameras in this ratings chart -- plus the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS, which they rank in the section on subcompact cameras.

Amazon.com: With more than 100 owner reviews posted, the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS averages 4 stars out of 5.

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