Camera Lenses And Filters

Zoom Wide Angle

What's the best non-SLR digital camera that can go from wide angle to zoom?

Most pro reviewers rank the Sony DSC-R1 as the closest to a d-SLR based on its large CMOS sensor (vs the typical digicam CCD sensor). However, it's zoom is only 5x starting at a very wide angle. (24 to 120 mm) Attachment lenses are available to increase the telephoto range. The R1 is about $750.

Other contenders are the Canon Pro1, the Fiji S9000, and the Panasonic FZ50. All of these are priced between $500 and $1000.

Under $500 are the Canon S3 IS, Sony DSC-H5, and Panasonic FZ30. All of these have very good reviews and image stabilized 12x zooms (about 35 to 420 mm). (I have a camera in this class, the Sony DSC-H1, and am very happy with its performance and picture quality.)

If you decide to go for the Sony R1, wait until the end of September. It is rumored that Sony will announce a replacement of the R1 because of recent 25% price drops. You may be able to get a better price or an even better camera.

Good Luck

Default Featured items Bestselling Price: low to high Price: high to low Alphabetical: A to Z Alphabetical: Z to A

Nikon Coolpix S1100pj 14 MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom and 3-Inch LCD and Built-in Projector (Black) List Price: $349.00 Sale Price: Too low to display   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj 12.1MP Digital Camera with Built-In Projector and 5x Wide-Angle Optical Vibration Reduction (VR) Zoom List Price: $349.95 Sale Price: $135.72 You save: $214.23 (61%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Fujifilm FinePix S1800 12.2 MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 3-Inch LCD List Price: $179.95 Sale Price: $151.95 You save: $28.00 (16%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Canon PowerShot SD1400IS 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black) List Price: $229.00 Sale Price: $179.00 You save: $50.00 (22%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Canon PowerShot SX210IS 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 14x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Black) Sale Price: $249.00   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Canon PowerShot SX130IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 3.0-Inch LCD List Price: $249.00 Sale Price: $199.00 You save: $50.00 (20%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Sony DSC-W330 14.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Zoom with Digital Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD (Black) Sale Price: $129.00   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Canon PowerShot SD1400IS 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Orange) List Price: $229.00 Sale Price: $179.00 You save: $50.00 (22%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver) List Price: $179.99 Sale Price: $129.00 You save: $50.99 (28%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 14.1MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle Optical Zoom with SteadyShot Image Stabilization and 3.0 inch LCD (Black) List Price: $229.99 Sale Price: $198.00 You save: $31.99 (14%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days