Zoom Camera Lens
Buying a digital Zoom Camera
I use the term Zoom Camera simply because this article is based on personal experience when buying a Canon SX110 IS, which is a compact digital camera with a 10x zoom lens. There are a number of compact digital zoom cameras with 10x up to 20x optical zoom lenses which fall into this category. However, I'm sure my experience can be applied accross the full range of digital cameras from the bottom end 'point and shoot' to the top end professional digital SLR's.
Having decided which camera I wanted, my next task was to obtain the best possible deal and thus the purpose of this article, because what looks like a good deal is often not the best deal.
The best place to start is online which shows up quite a wide range of prices. All the major high street retailers have a website and in most cases they offer a better deal if you buy online than you can get by visiting their shop. There are a number of price comparison sites which make this task a lot easier. However, you need to look beyond the price displayed or ticket price.
Quite often, as in my case, you are not just buying a camera. Look carefully at the 'what's in the box' information. For example, my camera came with only a 32MB SD memory card (only enough for around 6 images), a couple of alkaline batteries and no carrying case. So I decided that I needed a 4GB SD memory card, four rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries (two as spares), a battery recharger and a carrying case. Even if the box contains everything you need right now, it is a good idea to consider what you might need later because bought seperately, these items can add significantly to the overall cost. By bundling these items in with the camera at the time of purchase is the best way to get a good deal.
So don't just look at the ticket price of the camera. Decide what you need to go with it before you start comparing prices. Some online retailers offer huge savings on bundled items. In my case for example, the 'extras' I needed would have cost a total of £87.50 if purchased seperately, yet by bundling them in with the camera I was able to save £34. Even though the ticket price for my camera was higher with this online retailer compared with others their overall bundled price gave me the best deal.
About the Author
Richard Taylor is a keen digital photographer and having spent much time researching the best zoom camera for his own use, decided he would share that by creating a website featuring the top cameras in this category. Comparing prices, technical information, customer reviews and much more http://www.zoom-camera.co.uk
Protax zoom camera lens?
I just recently bought a cheaper SLR digital camera. It is a point and shoot. I don't know a whole lot about them but I am wanting to get a zoom lens for it. I have no idea what ones will fit and work though. Can someone please help me out, I'm just getting started! 
yup thats the one. I was looking for a cheaper way to upgrade. Overall i am somewhat happy with it for now. I can't wait to afford something better, but I am just beginning so I want to wait until I learn more.
Hi Jen33,
Is it the Protax DC500T, or DC600, or similar, like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/12-MP-Digital-Camera-Video-2-4-TFT-LCD-PROTAX-DC500T_W0QQitemZ110324920590QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigital_Cameras?hash=item110324920590&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1308%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
If so, it does not actually accept interchangeable lenses. What it does is accept threaded auxiliary lenses on the front of it's fixed lens. Most such lenses are wide-angle adapters. I've never heard of a zoom auxiliary lens.
I would suggest finding out what size of thread it accepts, and then looking through the "Auxiliary Lenses" section here:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/category/4266/Lenses_Accessories_Lenses_Lens_Accessories.html
BTW, for a camera marketed as an SLR, the pictures show something that looks a lot like a non-SLR optical viewfinder when the flash is up.
Good luck,
Greg
==================================
Update after reading your Additional Details:
==================================
A used Pentax *ist DL (pronounced without the asterisk) with kit zoom lens would be a signficant upgrade, and has been selling on eBay for around $200:
http://completed.shop.ebay.com/items/Digital-Cameras__pentax-DL_W0QQLHQ5fCompleteZ1QQQ5ftrkparmsZ66Q253A2Q257C65Q253A13Q257C39Q253A1QQ_catrefZ1QQ_dmptZDigitalQ5fCamerasQQ_sacatZ31388QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQ_sopZ15QQ_scZ1
It accepts any lens made for Pentax SLRs or DSLRs.
There are other good values in used DSLRs, but probably none less expensive than the Pentax *ist DL. The DL is also very small and lightweight, and very easy to use.
Good luck and have fun!
Greg
SONY HX1 - Sony's New Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 High Zoom Camera
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 Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras List Price: Sale Price: $319.99 You save: $480.01 (60%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days |
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