I'm looking for a camera with the highest possible zoom I can find. I already learned to look for optical zooms, but sometimes I run into something like this in the description instead: "28-120mm zoom lens..." or a variation of numbers like that. It's confusing me...because I'm used to looking for the simple 5x optical zoom; I don't know how the "mm" figures compare. If you can help, I appreciate it. Thanks!
2006-07-21 06:31:37 · 6 answers · asked by Jane Eyre 2 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
Thank you everyone for the answers. I really appreciate it and they really are helpful, keep 'em coming :)
2006-07-21 08:08:32 · update #1
To convert the 28-120mm into the simple x factor just divide the second figure by the first figure.
120 divided by 28 = 4.29x
You are right, go for optical zoom. Digital zooms are a gimmick and are poor quality.
2006-07-21 06:40:24 · answer #1 · answered by colin h 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your are looking for the "highest possible zoom", concentrate on the second "mm" number given in the zoom range.
The second mm number is the highest telephoto the camera can provide. Several cameras have around 430 mm. Usually the marketing material will say 12x, because that is easier to explain.
Be sure to get a camera with Image Stabilization when you get the high power telephoto. Just like the picture, camera shakes are magnified a lot when using high telephoto. So you need either a tripod or Image Stabilization to eliminate the blurry jiggles.
Good Luck.
2006-07-21 08:35:05 · answer #2 · answered by fredshelp 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Colin and Registration1 are both right on-
but I suspect you may be looking for a camera recommendation.
Fortunately, this segment of the digicam market has been very popular and fiercely competitive for the last few years, and there are some truly outstanding, huge zoom, small, high quality cameras out there.
Check out the Sony DSC-H5, Panasonic FZ30 or FZ7, or Canon S3 IS. Those are all 12X zooms (36mm-432mm). If you want a smaller package and are willing to go down to a 10x zoom (still huge), look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1.
all would be excellent choices. see review links below.
2006-07-21 08:21:54 · answer #3 · answered by Morey000 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's like Colin said.
In fact, the range gives you more information than simply 3x or 5x, because with 26-120 you know exactly where the zoom starts and stops. You can use this information to decide if the optical zoom suits your kind of shooting. Here are some guidelines:
20-35mm is perfect for indoor shots and landscapes.
24-70mm is great for general purpose, walk around stuff.
70-130mm is what pros use for portraits.
70-200mm is what you'd use for candid shots from a distance, and to do close-ups in general.
200-400mm is fantastic for nature photography and sports photography from a considerable distance. You'd use a tripod for this.
2006-07-21 07:28:47 · answer #4 · answered by OMG, I ♥ PONIES!!1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your eye sees about the same as a 50MM lens. So if it 100MM it is 2x if it is 300 it is 6x. 35 and wider (or lower) is good for panoramic shots.
2006-07-21 06:35:49 · answer #5 · answered by Nelson_DeVon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can maybe go to best buy or circuit city or kmart or target and ask about the camera you're lookingfor there. the prices will be from $150-$300
Hope this can help!
2006-07-21 06:36:56 · answer #6 · answered by Babygirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋