Choosing a super-zoom camera (part 1)
Could your camera bring you close enough to
take these perfect pictures? Let’s take 15 models of super-zoom cameras from
$280 into consideration to find down the most suitable one for you.
The undeniable attraction of super-zoom cameras is long
telephoto lenses. Even the 12x lenses can allow you to take the pictures where
are far away from you, super-zoom cameras like typical DSLR havs a 24x lenses
or more. However, if your desire to understand thoroughly about the lense view,
you can’t depend on the number only.
Besides, you have to bear in mind that zoom view is
meas\ured by mm, from the wide angle to telephoto lenses. They are usually
quoted in equivalently 35mm for your better comparision. The smaller the
starting number is, the wider the angle get. On the other side, the higher
number of telephoto lenses have (such as 400mm), the bigger they appear in the
pictures.
Keep remember that bigger zoom view doesn’t mean better
quality. Reality shows the stark contrast to this common perception because it
is quite hard – and hence expensive – to make a lense that perform well in all
high zoom view. Some lenses are excellent in fully zoomed mode but not as good
in more complicated settings, while some perform well in in the middle of their
views. Similarly, the autofocus speeds can be different based on the current
light. Let’s cast eyes on our reviews to check whether there are some problems
with your lenses or not.
Sensor respect
Each and every modern superzoom cameras all are equipped
with 1/2.3” or 1/2”, much smaller than any other DSLR sensors. In the smaller
sensors, each pixel is received less light, which may lead to the low quality
and more noise in pictures. Because the resolutions among models are different,
higher resolution cameras will make more noise due to the less light in each
pixel. Our review will explain the beauty of each model in the reality.
Some latest models have background light sensors. We
rearrange the cable system (in traditional sensors) from front to back in order
to get more light in each pixel, then result in less noise pictures in low ligh
environment.
Stabilization
Most of digital cameras offer some kind of stabilization,
but it is an essential function in cameras with big zoom because of higher magnified
camera movements. There are three types: optical, CCD shift and digital. The
first type makes up for this disadvantage by light lenses movements. The second
one means the self movement sensoring, which usually accopmanies with small
magnets. These two methods are effectively proved and hence creating more
razor-sharp images than cameras with digital stabilization. The last one uses
the camera processor chip to eliminate the camera shake.
Blockbusters
Every modern superzoom cameras can record HD videos but
with different film frame quality. Reading the technical specifications are
certainly not enough – one camera can record excellent 720p video, meanwhile,
another camera stated for 1080p HD recording can bring the result of a blurred
film with horrible sound.
If you are about to record an important video, one of the
most important elements should be take under consideration before buying a
superzoom camera is that whether it can focus and zoom during the recording
time or not because some of them can’t. Be careful of these cameras with zoom
motors and noisy focus, which can destroy completely the soundtrack.
Video and audio quality is most important, the comments
and sample video clips help you to understand this matter. Another important
attention is video format. Models record films in AVC (MP4) are suitable much
more than one with Motion JPEG, because the former has such an effective
compact ability and can store more films in megabyte. Last but not least, clip
length is often limited, which can be a big problem in some circumstances.
Raw potential
The ability of taking pictures in raw mode can be an
advantage, because it means that you can edit the raw pictures before the
sensor do; therefore, you are the one and only can decide about its white balance,
noise reduction and the sharpness you want to apply. The raw images have no
noise reduction, so that all details can be seen fully and clearly. In raw
mode, burst shooting usually takes longer time in JPEG format.
Power
Don’t forget about the power supplier. If cameras go with
AA zince batteries, you should buy some more in cases you run out of the
original ones or buy rechargable batteries (or the charger), therefore,
remember to include them into the price. Lithium-ion batteries are dedicated for
models and can be quite expensive.
Lastly, although most of cameras have their inside
memory, actually it is spared for some emergent cases when you forget inserting
the memory card. Fortunately, the 4GB SDHC cards cost less than $8, but please
notice the Class number. This number guarantees the minimum record speed by
MB/s. A slower card can be cheaper but it can limit the speed which cameras can
perform, especially for continuous shooting; we recommend Class 6 or later.
