Most MP & Optical Zoom in an ultra-compact?

Question

Which ultra-compact has the most MP and optical zoom with quite a few manual capabilities? price is not an option ... but I really don't want an SLR-like...

price is not a problem ... thats wat i meant to say...

Answer 1

If price is no object, then what you want is Canon's top of the line ultra-compact camera, the PowerShot S80:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_s80-review/

As you can see from the review, it performs superior to other ultra-compacts. And it had better since it costs between $500 and $600 bucks:

http://dcresource.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=11292711

However, for that much cashola, I would MUCH rather have a real camera instead of an ultra-compact. The best camera in that price range is the Sony DSC-H5 ultra-zoom camera. Although it won't fit in your pocket, it is rather small and light. There are alot of nice things about this camera that you just can't get in an ultra-compact camera due to size constraints:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_h5-review/
http://dcresource.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=17744371

If you have the money, and want a REALLY nice camera, but don't want to screw around with the complicated world of digital SLR, there is the Sony DSC-R1. This camera is VERY nice and takes professional quality photographs. However, it is the same size as a digital SLR, although it is as easy to use as any other fixed lens camera. For most people who can afford it, this is the camera to have:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dsc_r1-review/index.shtml
http://dcresource.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=13088802

Note that Sony has a $100 rebate on this camera until the end of September.

Answer 2

Well, It is hard to answer this question with how often new cameras come out and price is something I always think about. Now as ultra compacts go, I'd say Casio does a pretty good job. Ive had my eye on the ex-z750 but naturally the newer models have more bells and whistles. Sony also has a good line of very slightly larger cameras in the dsc-p200 models and up. Look at Olympus's Stylus Models if you still can't find anything, but Im not sure I recomend them. Generally, Rule of thumb is that when you are looking for sometihng really handy and small, it will be more expensive and fragile and possibly more defective because the manufacturer is putting more hardware into a smaller space.

-Timo

Answer 3

That would be the Canon PowerShot Pro1.....8 mgpix and 7x opt zoom......Lists for $640.00...... or not as good in my opinion ....Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-F828.....Same..... 8 pix and 7x zoom....Lists for $800.00. But, it has been about a month since I looked at them so there is probably something new available already.....They change no's overnight, but they are still the same basic camera This help?

Answer 4

Canon A700. 6mp. 6x zoom. Lots of manual settings, and takes great pictures in auto mode.

Answer 5

Dear Tampanian,

Check out the website below - good reviews of the latest in most tech.

-j.