Best still cam with big zoom?

[AgentZap]

I am not a professional or anything, but I'll be taking a trip to alaska and want a digital camera with a really good zoom (>=12x optical).

Can I keep the camera steady enough to take shots at 12x+ magnification without a tripod?

I was looking at the new one from Canon (12x) and Olympus(15x)

 

[ElFenix]

zoom is not magnification. zoom is actually a somewhat meaningless number that is the result of dividing the longest focal length that the lens can reach by the shortest focal length that the lens can reach. as about 43 mm is normal for a 35 mm camera, any lens that starts wider than 43 (and all of the fixed lens cameras do), will not magnify by the zoom number.

43 normal
86 twice as close (half the distance)
172 (1/4 the distance)
336 (1/8 the distance)
etc.

additionally, because some cameras start wider than others (28 mm wide vs 35 mm wide), a camera that starts wide could have a larger zoom number but still have the same length at the long end, or a camera could have the same zoom number and come up shorter on the long end.

anyway, the rule of thumb is that 1/focal length is the fastest reliable hand held shutter speed. so at the 504 mm focal length of the olympus SP-550UZ 1/500th is the standard shutter speed. the sensor shift image stabilization should allow another two stops (1/500 --> 1/250 ---> 1/125) for reliable handholding. which is good enough for ISO 100 sensitivity in bright daylight.

 

[episodic]

Panasonic FZ8

 

[Alyx]

Also when you take the shots try and keep your hands steady. Rest on something with your arms, sit down, lean the camera on something. The 1/focal length is a good rule of thumb, its what i follow too, but with a good amount of practice you can do much better. I've got a friend who holds a 200mm lens at 1/60th with crystal clear shots, he's got steady enough hands to probably be brain surgeon though.

 

[AgentZap]

Great tips Fenix and Alyx!

I'll read the review of the Panasonic FZ8

Off paper what is the consensus of the Panasonic FZ8 vs olympus SP-550UZ vs Canon S5 IS?

 

[IeraseU]

You can try using a monopod in conjunction with the IS you'll get on these 'superzooms'. I would not attempt to raise the ISO above 400 or so in these types of cameras, opting instead to lower the shutter speed whenever possible. Other then that, it would be nice if you got a camera that could accept a polarizer (if you plan to shoot landscape at all).

 

[episodic]

The fz8 accepts screw in polarizers right on the lens - no tube adapter needed.

 

[dmw16]

I ordered a Canon S3 IS the other day. I read a lot of reviews and decided that would be a good choice for me. Sounds like you may want similar things. Check that camera out.