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Full-size megazoom cameras compared

Call them bridge cameras, longzooms, superzooms, or megazooms (as we do), they're all pretty much the same thing: a large lens slapped on the front of a point-and-shoot camera.

While that's a bit of an oversimplification, the fact remains that though these are full-featured models with digital SLR-style bodies, they still have the shooting performance and photo quality of a compact camera. That said, if you're after a long lens, point-and-shoot simplicity, and an affordable price (at least more so than for a dSLR that has comparable lenses), you've come to right roundup.

Editors' note: This post was originally published October 26, 2011, but is updated frequently. It was updated May 8, 2013, to include the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX300.

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Fujifilm's ultimate compact megazoom?

The FinePix F200EXR was Fujifilm's first camera to feature its Super EXR CCD sensor. Now a little more than a year old, the company is rolling out the follow-up--the F300EXR. It's a significant refresh, too, taking the camera's zoom from 5x to 15x and widening its lens from 28mm to 24mm (35mm equivalent), but keeping the body the same 0.9-inch thickness.

The F300EXR shares the same sensor and shooting features as the Z800EXR, also announced Wednesday. This includes a high-speed hybrid autofocus system using both Contrast AF and Phase Detection AF. The camera is able to … Read more

Fujifilm makes three midseason camera replacements

Like failed sitcoms canceled halfway through a season, Fujifilm is giving the ax to three of its cameras from the first half of 2010. Fujifilm is replacing the FinePix Z700EXR, S1800, and JX250 that it announced February 1 with the Z800EXR, S2800HD, and JX280, respectively. I didn't review the three outgoing models, so I can't say if there was anything necessarily wrong with them. It seems Fujifilm just wanted to retool the models with some new features.

For example, the Z800EXR has a new version of the company's 12-megapixel Super CCD EXR sensor that has a high-speed hybrid autofocus system. Using both Contrast AF and Phase Detection AF, the camera is able to measure the amount of light or contrast in the scene and pick the AF system that will focus the fastest. Also added is improved image stabilization so there's less need to use higher ISOs when using the 5x zoom lens or in low-light conditions. Now it can take panorama shots at 180, 240, or 360 degrees with a sweep of the camera. It retains the prior versions full-metal body and 460K-pixel, 3.5-inch touch screen, too. The FinePix Z800EXR will be available in late August 2010 at a retail price of $229.95, which is really cheap.… Read more

Touch-screen model added to Fujifilm EXR lineup

Fujifilm continues to grow its selection of cameras that use its Super CCD EXR sensor technology, which makes sense since the sensors actually perform very well. And with a 5x zoom compact camera, a full-size 14x megazoom, and two 10x compact megazoom models available, it also makes sense to add an ultracompact in the mix.

The 12-megapixel F700EXR features an internal periscopic Fujinon lens with a 5x zoom. All of the manufacturer's latest shooting features are included, like Face Recognition, Pet Detection (yes, it optimizes focus on the faces of dogs and cats), tagging of photos and movies for … Read more

Fujifilm enhances its EXR compact megazoom

The FinePix F70EXR was a decent enough compact megazoom, but wasn't without its issues. Fujifilm's refreshed it for spring, adding extra features and enhancing what was already there.

At less than an inch thick, the F80EXR is packing a 27mm-equivalent wide-angle lens with a 10x zoom, which is still pretty amazing, and on back is a 3-inch LCD. The resolution has been bumped up to 12 megapixels; that's good because the EXR modes for improved dynamic range and lower noise at higher ISOs require the resolution to be halved. Also improved is the camera's movie mode … Read more

Souped-up pocket megazoom is mode-alicious

The 10-megapixel Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR is only 1.1 inches thick when closed, but tucked in its belly is a long-and-wide 10x f3.3-F5.6 27-270mm lens. And as its name implies, it features the company's Super CCD EXR sensor that debuted in the FinePix F200EXR.

With that sensor comes some unique shooting modes for improving low-light shooting and dynamic range, as well as traditional Scene, Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, and Manual modes.

This model, as well as the S200EXR announced Wednesday, include new Super CCD EXR modes using Multi Frame Technology. One of the modes, Pro Focus, … Read more