Dptips :. Digital Photography Tips, Tricks, and Techniques

Reviews Roundup: Little cameras, big zoom

The average compact camera packs a 3x to 5x optical zoom, while anything larger than 12x qualifies as a megazoom or superzoom. But there's a growing number of cameras in the 3x to 12x hinterland that combine compact portability with distant-shooting goodness.

(Credit: Panasonic)

The size of a zoom lens is determined by the focal length of the camera. Because different cameras have different focal lengths and different-sized image sensors, a standard measurement is used that expresses focal length as the equivalent to a 35mm film camera.

The sensor takes the place of film in digital cameras, with an image recorded when light comes through the lens and falls on to the sensor. A single 35mm film frame in a film camera is the same size as a "full-frame" image sensor, but most compacts have smaller-sized sensors. The 35mm equivalent is the actual focal length multiplied by the difference in size between that small sensor and a full frame, to give a standardised figure.

Confused? Don't worry. All you really need to know is that most compacts have a wide-angle focal length - equivalent to a 35mm camera - of 35-38mm. The lower the number is, the wider the picture is and the more you can cram in. More and more compacts are now getting wider angles - as much as 25mm. Panasonic has even introduced the Lumix DMC-ZR1, which has a 25mm equivalent and 8x optical zoom.

If you are looking for a larger zoom but also want the familiarity of a compact camera, the Olympus Mju 9000 and the Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR both have a 10x optical zoom. As of August 2009, the Fujifilm claims to be the world's smallest camera with 10x optical zoom.

But, the bigger the zoom, the more susceptible images become to camera shake. A longer zoom magnifies the effect of shaky hands, so image stabilisation is a very useful feature to have unless you'll be shooting with a tripod. A good compromise between zoom and blur-free images is the Nikon Coolpix S630 and the Ricoh CX1, both equipped with 7x optical zoom and image stabilisation.

Finally, for full control over your pictures, the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS is packed with manual controls and features alongside its 12x lens. This model also features image stabilisation, as indicated by the IS in the model name.