I want a telephoto lens but i dont know what to get

Question

If a 55-200mm lens were to be on a point and shoot camera how much zoom would it have? Should I get a 70-300mm lens or is 70mm too much to really get certain pictures. I take pictures of all different thing nothin in particular so I don't know what to get. Please help

Answer 1

The size of the sensor in your point and shoot largely determines the so-called focal length multiplier that most manufacturers of digital cameras list nowadays.  It works as a good rule for determining how large the subject you are photographing will look on the sensor, which gives the illusion of multiplying the focal length.

If you are looking to capture a variety of subjects, you will need to get a zoom lens that covers a good effective range.  Typically this would be in the 50-300mm range unless you want to do landscape photography and want wide-angle capabilities.  Look up your focal length multiplier for your camera and divide the above range by that number; i.e. if it is 2.0 then the lens should be in the 25-150mm range (note that no lens will have the exact numbers that you want, but it will give you a ballpark figure).

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and the size of the sensor used.

Most compact cameras will list the 135mm format equivalent, which is a good benchmark.

55-200 in 135 terms is a middle of the road zoom, it's a fairly standard view at the far end to a 4x crop at the far end, you can get better at either end.

A 28mm wide angle is a good starting point, great for group shots and landscapes.

There are a plethora of compact cameras with 28-200mm equivalent lenses, look at panasonic and Ricohs range.

If you want to get in even closer then look at Fuji's range, they have a bridge compact camera with a 28-300 equivalent lens.

Forget multipliers etc unless you are going down the SLR route, any reputable manufacturer will list the focal range in 135mm equivalents, and decent sales rep will be able to answer the questions for you.