Those who desire exceptional image quality with extended optical zoom capabilities will find a lot to like about compact zoom cameras. That said, there are plenty of options on the market, including both old and modern options. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of the best compact zoom cameras. Let’s take a look.
Minolta Pro-Shot 67Z
- Sensor: 20MP
- Zoom Capability: 67X (24–1568mm)
The Minolta Pro-Shot 67Z, as the name suggests, comes with 67X optical zoom while being quite affordable too. The user-friendly interface ensures that beginners and experienced photographers can navigate its features effortlessly. Add to that, the flip-out 3-inch LCD screen also makes for easy usability.
The Minolta Pro-Shot 67Z has a bridge design, so it’s not something you can carry inside your pocket. However, it is still one of the more compact cameras on the market, especially with something that has this much zoom capability. This feature allows photographers to capture intricate details of distant subjects, making it an ideal choice for wildlife enthusiasts, sports photographers, etc.
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Canon Powershot SX70
- Sensor: 20MP
- Zoom Capability: 65X (21–1365mm)
The Canon Powershot SX70 is a versatile compact zoom camera that perfectly balances performance and portability. Featuring a 65X optical zoom, this camera lets photographers capture a wide range of subjects with remarkable detail.
Compared to the Minolta Pro-Shot 67Z, the Canon Powershot SX70 has an advantage with its 4K video recording support. Add to that, its 20.3MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 processor deliver sharp, vibrant images. Moreover, features like optical image stabilization and tilt-screen LCD ensure you get the perfect angle every time. Its built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) is a game-changer when shooting in bright environments, too.
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Panasonic LUMIX ZS200S
- Sensor: 20MP
- Zoom Capability: 15X (24–360mm)
The LUMIX ZS200S combines a compact design with a powerful 15X optical zoom, making it an excellent choice for photographers seeking a balance between portability and zoom capabilities. It comes with a versatile 24-360mm Leica DC 15X lens that offers fantastic range and can be used in various scenarios.
Add to that, the 20.1-megapixel sensor ensures high-quality images with vibrant colors and sharp details. It’s a 1-inch sensor with a max ISO of up to 12,800, ensuring that even low-light shots have decent illumination. Similar to the Powershot SX70, the ZS200S also comes with support for 4K video recording capability.
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Nikon COOLPIX P950
- Sensor: 16MP
- Zoom Capability: 83X (24–2000mm)
The Nikon COOLPIX P950 is a powerhouse in the compact camera category, featuring an impressive 83X optical zoom, one of the longest zoom ranges available. This, combined with the digital zoom, allows you to take shots up to 166X dynamic zoom.
The Nikon COOLPIX P950 is the successor to the widely popular COOLPIX P900. It offers improved performance, along with support for RAW photography and 4K video recording. It also has a much better 2359k-dot equivalent OLED viewfinder, allowing you to see the shot you’re about to capture perfectly. If you really require a high level of zoom, the Nikon COOLPIX P1000 can be considered.
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Sony RX100 VII
- Sensor: 20MP
- Zoom Capability: 8.3X (24–200mm)
For those who demand the best in image quality and portability, the Sony RX100 VII is the undisputed champion. It stands out as a pocket-sized powerhouse and features a compact design and advanced features. It packs a powerful 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor and ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 lens into a surprisingly compact body.
The Sony RX100 VII. This combination delivers exceptional image quality throughout the zoom range, with sharp details, low noise, and beautiful bokeh for stunning portraits. While the zoom capabilities are not as high as bridge cameras, the RX100 VII offers advanced autofocus capabilities, including real-time tracking and eye autofocus. In addition, the camera supports 4K video recording with HDR.
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Last updated on 26 June, 2024
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