

This is usually a button or lever that temporarily zooms out, so that you can reacquire a subject you've lost track of. Many zooms in this class, including the SX60 HS and the P600, include a framing assist function. The Nikon Coolpix P600 ($246.50 at Amazon) also features a 60x zoom ratio, but its 24-1,440mm zoom lens doesn't capture quite as wide of a field of view at its widest setting. It's the widest angle in the class-Canon's SX60 HS comes close with a 21mm wide-angle lens-and the extra coverage at the wide angle shouldn't be discounted when shopping for a long zoom camera. The 60x lens covers a 20-1,200mm (full-frame equivalent) field of view with an aperture that starts at f/2.8 and diminishes to f/5.9 when zoomed all the way in. It's not far off in size from other cameras in this class, even ones with shorter lenses like the 50x Olympus Stylus SP-100 ( at Amazon) (3.6 by 4.8 by 5.2 inches, 1.3 pounds).

It measures 3.8 by 5.1 by 4.7 inches (HWD) and weighs about 1.3 pounds when loaded with a battery and memory card. It's a solid budget option for this class of camera, but if you can spend a bit more, the Canon PowerShot SX60 HS, our Editors' Choice for superzooms with 50x or longer ratios, is a more complete package.ĭesign and Features The FZ70 ($225.00 at Amazon) is similar in size and form factor to a small SLR with a kit zoom attached, but its zoom lens covers a wider breadth than any starter SLR lens can manage. The FZ70 cuts some corners to hit its price point, but despite having a low-res EVF and rear LCD and omitting Wi-Fi, image quality is quite strong. The 16-megapixel camera covers a 20-1,200mm equivalent field of view, making it possible to capture breathtaking wide angles without giving up the ability to hone in on distant subjects. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 ($299.99) is a bridge-style superzoom with a long 60x zoom lens.
