Digital Cameras for the Holidays

Superzooms

When point-and-shoot was king of the digital market and the Digital SLR was only in the hands of the pros, there were all kinds of sub-segments in the point-and-shoot market. However, today the lines have become so compressed with DSLR prices dropping that there are really just two P&S categories. There is the entry, or all-around, point-and-shoot and the superzooms, with very wide optical zoom lenses.

Our strong opinion is that it is ludicrous to spend more than around $250 for a point-and-shoot camera today, with the prices of the much more versatile DSLR and the new category interchangeable lens digital starting at $400 to $500. That still leaves a hole from about $250 to around $600 that we think will get quickly filled with large sensor point-and-shoots using micro 4/3 and interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras based on similar large sensor technology.

For those reasons, we have held our top picks for superzooms to around $250. You can certainly spend more if you want that 18X Leica zoom on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ18, but you won't find that camera in our superzoom picks.

Panasonic has developed a well-deserved reputation as a premier provider of superzoom P&S cameras. The Panasonic Lumix LMC-TZ5 is a great successor to the best-selling LMC-TZ4. It features the same superb Leica 10X (28-280mm) true wide-angle zoom as the TZ4, and resolution has been upped a bit to 9.1MP. Every feature Panasonic could think up has been lavished on the TZ5, including Mega OIS stabilization, 3" 460,000 pixel LCD, a very wide 100-6400 ISO range, and a 720p (1280x720) movie recording option.

The TZ5 has a wide range of Auto and Scene modes for excellent flexibility. However, like the previous models, Panasonic has not included Manual controls, so the TZ5 is clearly aimed at the point-and-shoot crowd only. We doubt that many will object. The TZ5 has no viewfinder and does everything on the LCD, which may or may not matter to you. For a little less money, you can find the capable TZ4 with 8MP or a little more money will get you the 18x 10MP TZ28.

Canon point-and-shoot cameras have a reputation for very good image quality, and the Canon SX110 IS won't disappoint you. This update to Canon's SX100 IS ups the resolution to 9MP and the screen from 2.5" to 3". The 10X zoom goes longer than the Panasonic at 36-360mm, but it is missing the true wide-angle that is very useful for shooting indoors. Where the Canon shines, however, is in control, where it offers P, S, A, and Manual options and everything you need to control the camera when you choose.

The Image Stabilization is particularly effective on the SX110 IS, which is a good thing because you will need it to handhold 360mm. You can usually find the SX110 IS a little cheaper than the Panasonic DMC-LZ5, so if lowest price is a huge factor the SX110 IS can save you a few dollars.