I want to buy a digital camera that has a really good zoom. Does anyone have any tips??

Question

I would also like to be able to take motion shots. I love to take pictures but am always disappointed with the quality. I'd be willing to spend a lot for a great camera. THANKS!!

Answer 1

I agree with MrStyle,digital SLRS will give you the best zoom -- if you happen to have a good lens. the kit lens on most DSLR cameras is 18-55mm, which is less than most compact cameras. You'll need to buy a good zoom lens in addition to the camera body. If you're okay with this, I'd recommend two systems: a Canon 450D with the EF-S 55-250mm lens, or the Nikon D60 with the 55-200mm VR. Both have good image stabilisation systems, so they're great for motion shots. Both systems will cost you around  $1000 brand new.

If you're more of a point and shoot person, I'd recommend something in Canon's S-series. My last camera was a Canon S5IS (around $500 i think) and it has excellent zoom -- 12x optical to be exact, and the pictures stay perfectly sharp even at the 12x. I wouldn't bother using the digital zoom although it goes up to 48x, because it gets grainy from there. Besides, the 12x is more than enough for most applications. I would recommend the S5IS or the older S3IS in this category.

Answer 2

i have tried several cameras. i used to have a fuji, sony and canon... it depends on your need... for overall quality go for CANON...

Answer 3

For great zoom and motion shots you may want to look at Digital SLR cameras. I recommend the Nikon D60.

Don't forget to pay attention to the Optical zoom rather than the digital zoom. Optical is where you will get quality pictures from zoom. Digital zoom will be of low quality.

Answer 4

A few observations:

I'm not sure what "really good" zoom means. My initial reaction is that you mean a zoom with a big range, in particular one that will go to very high on the telephoto end.

If so, this isn't all that consistent with taking motion shots. It is actually quite difficult to take motion shots with a very long zoom lens.

Another (perhaps unwelcome) observation: if you are "always disappointed with the quality" of your photos, a new camera may not help you. Okay, yes: if you're currently using a fixed-focal-length Instamatic camera from 1969, yeah - another camera is going to help you a lot. And: if you're trying to do fairly extreme things (like shoot in very low natural light, or take pictures of birds that are 200 yards away), a camera that has the special capabilities required will make a huge difference. But: the primary variable in taking good photos is the photographer, not the camera.

Assuming you want a really good zoom (and that that means a big zoom range), the obvious options are:

- A DSLR with a big zoom lens. Big zoom lenses are quite pricey and also quite heavy and awkward.

- A "super-zoom" camera, like the Panazonic FZ50 or FZ18, the Fuji S100, etc. These are about the size of a DSLR, but with a smaller sensor and thus a much longer equivalent lens.