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Digital Cameras (Ultra-Zoom): Ratings of Sources
Total of 19 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Imaging-Resource.com
As of June 2009
Dave's Picks: Long Zoom
by Editors of Imaging-Resource.com
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Imaging-Resource.com conducts exhaustive testing, although cameras are not compared directly. However, each camera photographs the same subjects under standardized conditions, and sample pictures are posted for gauging performance. The site also lists top-rated cameras and Editor's Choice picks, with a section dedicated to the best ultra-zoom models.
2. DCResource.com
March 1, 2009
Jeff's Favorite Digital Cameras
by Jeff Keller
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Jeff Keller's reviews are thorough and easy to read, offering a side-by-side look at camera specifications such as size, weight and battery life, but don't compare performance. A regularly updated list of top-rated cameras is divided by price range, and two ultra-zoom cameras make the list: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS.
3. PopPhoto.com
June 16, 2008
Editor's Choice 2008: Superzoom Compacts
by Dan Richards and Russell Hart
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment PopPhoto.com, the online home of Popular Photography & Imaging magazine as well as American Photo magazine, names its favorite super-zoom cameras in this roundup, with clear and detailed discussion. The Casio Exilim EX-F1 grabs the top slot, while the Fujifilm FinePix S100fs comes in second. The Kodak EasyShare Z8612 earns the Best Buy designation.
4. Photography BLOG.com
As of June 2009
The Best Digital Cameras
by Editors of PhotographyBlog.com
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This British site reviews a lot of digital cameras, most of which are available in the U.S. Editors provide objective ratings on image quality, ease of use and value. Cameras receive an overall rating, so it's easy to see how they stack up against one another. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ7 nabs the top spot, while the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS remains the runner-up.
5. DPReview.com
May 14, 2009
Compact 'Super Zoom' Cameras Group Test
by Editors of DPReview.com
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This fun-to-read site has detailed test results and sample photos. Cameras are evaluated against others in their class, and top performers earn a rare Highly Recommended rating. Two test groups compare popular super-zoom cameras and select top models. Aside from these test groups, however, the site has no way to filter out ultra-zoom cameras among the numerous reviews.
6. DigitalCameraInfo.com
As of June 2009
Digital Camera Ratings Groups
by Editors of DigitalCameraInfo.com
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This easy-to-navigate site is an offshoot of CamcorderInfo.com, and the editors apply the same thorough analysis to digital cameras as they do to camcorders. Detailed reviews include weighted scores for… many key features, and review ratings are paired with sorting filters. While the reports are among the most critical we have found, and the editors are not bashful about pointing out flaws, the site lags in adding new digital camera reviews.

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7. CNET
May 22, 2009
Best Megazoom Digital Cameras
by Lori Grunin
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

CNET regularly reviews all types of digital cameras. Preferred models appear in roundups, including this article on ultra zooms. Cameras are evaluated on four factors -- design, image quality, performance… and features -- but writeups are not as detailed as those on photography sites. Although these cameras rate as the best in their class, all receive just three out of five stars, and most have drawbacks. CNET, however, is one of the best sources for user reviews.

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8. PCMag.com
As of June 2009
Digital Cameras
by Editors of PCMag.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment While comparative digital camera roundups are rare at PCMag.com, editors continually test and evaluate individual ultra-zoom cameras. Each camera receives a rating on a scale of one to five, with the best receiving an Editors' Choice award. PCMag's reviews are less detailed than those at photography websites, but they are easy to read and hit the major points.
9. Laptop Magazine
As of June 2009
3 Recommended Ultra-Zoom Cameras
by Editors of Laptop Magazine
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Although Laptop Magazine doesn't offer a lot of in-depth technical information, casual users are likely to appreciate this "best of" article. Three ultra-zoom digital cameras are named top picks by editors, with links to full reviews.
10. ConsumerReports.org
As of June 2009
Digital Cameras
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment ConsumerReports.org covers most -- but not all -- of the factors shoppers should consider when buying a digital camera. Geared for general audiences, the testing methodology is thorough and results easy to discern. However, the report doesn't offer detailed writeups of individual cameras.
11. Choice magazine
As of June 2009
Digital Cameras: Compact Reviews
by Editors of Choice magazine
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment While not as comprehensive as digital camera sites geared to photo aficionados, Australian-based Choice magazine evaluates and rates digital cameras, and its reviews are up-to-date. Test methodology and rating criteria are clearly spelled out and recommendations made. Discussion is limited, and gleaning full test results requires using a sortable results table.
12. Which? magazine
As of June 2009
Digital Cameras
by Editors of Which? magazine
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This companion website to Which? magazine -- the U.K.'s version of Consumer Reports -- . reviews and rates cameras based on key factors. Top-rated ultra-zoom cameras receive a Best Buy designation. While many models are top-rated, individual scores reveal how the cameras perform and compare. Discussion is brief but covers the necessities.
13. TrustedReviews.com
As of June 2009
Digital Cameras
by Cliff Smith
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment While these standalone reviews don't match the detail of photo enthusiasts' websites, British-based TrustedReviews.com does a great job of evaluating ultra-zoom digital cameras. Reviews can be filtered by type, rating and brand, and the best cameras receive an Editor's Choice or Recommended designation.
14. StevesDigicams.com
As of June 2009
The Best Cameras
by Editors of Steves-Digicams.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Steves-Digicams.com offers highly detailed reviews, but the site is difficult to navigate. Part of the confusion is that the first page of each review is a copy of the camera's press release. The numerous ultra-zoom camera reviews remain unranked, and figuring out the camera rating requires reading through lengthy reviews. However, new cameras are continually reviewed.
15. DigitalCameraHQ.com
As of June 2009
Digital Camera HQ's Gift Guide: Best Extended Zoom Cameras
by Editors of and contributors to DigitalCamera-HQ.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Digital Camera HQ continues to evolve. The site has added a small section of original reviews that include two ultra-zoom models. While other sites are stronger, these reviews are balanced and appropriately critical, and user reviews provide additional insight. The Olympus SP-570 UZ rates as an editor and user favorite.
16. PC World
March 12, 2009
Top-Rated Advanced Point-and-Shoots
by Tim Moynihan
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment PC World rates seven advanced cameras, most of which have optical zooms of 12x or greater. However, different editors evaluate the cameras, and review quality varies. Test reports are not as comprehensive as more highly ranked sources.
17. Reviewed.com
As of June 2009
2007 and 2008 Digital Camera Ratings
by Editors of Reviewed.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Geared for general audiences, these brief reviews are ranked, address key camera features and offer some comparison to market rivals. The now-discontinued Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 takes the top slot, while the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H7 places as the runner-up. This site lags behind others in reviewing new models.
18. J.D. Power and Associates
July 31, 2008
2008 Digital Camera Satisfaction Study: Premium Point and Shoot
by Editors of J.D. Power and Associates
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This survey polls 8,000 camera owners and evaluates satisfaction with picture quality, performance, ease of operation, appearance and styling. While the survey covers brands versus individual models, it includes several ultra-zoom product lineups: the Canon PowerShot S Series and Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ series. The Panasonic series receives a top overall rating and nabs the Award Recipient slot.
19. Amazon.com
As of June 2009
Digital Cameras
by Contributors to Amazon.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment While the quality of user reviews varies, the most popular cameras often garner enough reviews and high ratings to make visiting this site worthwhile, especially to see how a camera holds up with long-term use.

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