Top Ultrazooms

Why buy an ultrazoom digital camera?

Almost everyone who takes photos has the same complaint.

They wish their camera could bring distant subjects closer.

That’s when the ultrazoom capability becomes very appealing. Today’s ultrazoom digital cameras are almost like having a telescope mounted to a digital camera.

Notice how the pulling power of an 18x optical zoom in the following picture allows the photographer to get a very closeup photo of the bird without physically moving closer.


It quickly becomes apparent why ultrazooms are gaining in popularity.

Whether it’s for sports, travel, nature, parades, or graduation photos your photographic capabilities are substantially increased with more pulling power.

It has been argued that with the tremendous power of ultrazooms they are much more susceptible to camera shake, particularly when focusing on distance subjects. When you look over the specs of the following top ultrazooms you’ll notice that all of them are optically stabilized. Optical stabilization literally erases the camera shake criticism and allows for very sharp “hand held” photos.

#1 - FujiFilm FinePix S8100fd

Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd

Fujifilm FinePix S8100fd features:

  • 10 megapixel
  • 18x optical zoom
  • 2.5 inch LCD
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Image stabilization

#2 - Nikon Coolpix P80

Nikon Coolpix P80

Nikon Coolpix P80 features:
  • 10.1 megapixel
  • 18x optical zoom
  • 2.7 inch LCD
  • Optical image stabilization
  • ISO high of 6400

#3 - Olympus SP-570 UZ

Olympus SP-570 UZ

Olympus SP-570 UZ features:

  • 10 megapixels
  • 20x optical zoom
  • 2.7 inch LCD
  • ISO 64 - 6400

#4 - Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 features:

  • 8 megapixels
  • 18x optical zoom (equivalent to 28 to 504mm on a 35mm camera)
  • Optical image stabilization
  • Face detection
  • Intelligent auto mode
  • ISO range 100 - 1600
  • Weight 407 g (14.4 oz)
  • Metering (intelligent multiple, center weighted, & spot)