Why do most pocket sized digital cameras only offer 3 ro 4x optical?

Question

I've noticed that Kodak has some pocket digital cameras with 10x, but it seems none of the major retailers, Best Buy, Office Depot, Staples etc., do not carry these Kodak models. Is there a problem with them?

Answer 1

The fact that they're expensive wouldn't matter if they delivered on features and image quality. (I'd want one myself.) But with the Kodak V610 you pay mostly for the styling. Here's an in-depth review: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/kodakv610/page9.asp

Answer 2

Look at the prices. There is a big difference in the price of a typical 3-4x zoom at $100-300 (for most) and a 10-12x zoom at $250-400. There's your answer.

I checked the review OMG mentioned. In a nutshell, it says that small size and high style are the best features of the Kodak pocket-sized 10x zoom camera. Image quality and everything else are rather lacking compared to many other cameras in the super-zoom class.

Look at the samples gallery and pay attention the the equivalent focal lengths. It looks like, as long as you are going to use the camera in the wide angle end of its range, the images are decent. If you zoom out the other end of the range, there is not much detail left, a noticeable amount of digital noise as early as ISO 320, and not much contrast. Of course, it does solve the problem of some folks who visit here and ask, "How do I create that 'soft focus' look with a digital camera?"

My favorite picture is No. 10 out of 30. Too funny! How ironic to take a picture of about a quarter million dollars worth of cameras and lenses with this camera.

Answer 3

The pocket digital cameras with a 10x or better are expensive to the regular customer. The high end product won't sell fast enough for the store to make a fast money turn over.