RE: Phu Van Lau

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. It's a good camera, and it's especially good if you need the 40x zoom. If you don't need it though, then you should consider the other specs too. There are always tradeoffs. This is no exception. It's a good camera for the price and out performs a lot of others in the same price range. Overall though consider:

at 40x zoom there are a number of aberrations even though it's an optical zoom. Instead of digital aberrations, you get optical ones. Even in perfect lighting situations, you have to hold that camera extremely steady for that 40x zoom. (960mm OMG!!!!)
Maximum aperture is not so good at f/3.3 – f/6.9. BTW, maximum is unfortunate here, because higher aperture is a lower number. Anyway, in lower light situations (indoors, in shade, overcast days, or at night), most smartphones will out perform this camera indoors and at night.
wide angle is pretty long. The 40x lens supports the 35 mm equivalent of 24mm - 960mm shots. 960 mm is ridiculously long for telephoto. It's pretty amazing. The tradeoff is the 24mm wide angle. It's a personal preference, but I like 15 mm. I usually run a 15mm-200mm zoom. That's what I like. Basically, you get that long zoom, but the cost is your wide angle and portraits aren't so good. Wide angle is really important with this kind of camera because it's not a full frame.
The long zoom lens comes with a fast servo for zooming, but a slow servo for auto focus. You may find autofocus is not as snappy as other cameras. This camera also utilizes an IR beam for calculating autofocus which can also add to slowness.

To conclude, 40x zoom is like the best thing about the camera and it definitely leads to tradeoffs that IMHO aren't working if portability is your preference. This camera is basically a portable telephoto lens. Lucky that we live in an age where smartphones are so amazing that a good smartphone could make up for the tradeoffs.

One way to think of it is that the zoom is actually inversely proportionate to the other specs on the camera. As you sacrifice your zoom, your other specs will improve. This is especially the case with aperture. Zoom lenses in general are really not just rated by their actual zoom, but also by the maximum aperture. The higher the aperture, the more expensive the lens. Unfortunately, the bigger the lens, the lower the aperture. Take for example this camera, https://www.sony.com/electronics/cyber-shot-compact-cameras/dsc-rx100m5

That camera is ridiculous. It's specs are obscene. I mean 1" sensor!!! 0.05s autofocus! 315 autofocus points! The zoom though is only 70mm. It's barely a 2.5x zoom. Anyway, just trying to compare the tradeoffs.

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thuylannguyen (54) 7 years ago

You have made the right choice, I think it is very suitable for your purpose. This camera features the very ok Zoom Framing Assist.

$0.00

trincowski (71) 7 years ago (edited)

I'm really curious about this one. I have to try and test it, first. My camera has a 5x Zoom. 40x would be an incredible upgrade!

$0.04

2 votes

r351574nc3 (72) 7 years ago (edited)

$0.39

4 votes

trincowski (71) 7 years ago

Thanks a lot. I don't know a thing about those kind of specifications.

soma909 (57) 7 years ago (edited)

40x optical zoom is quite good! I'm looking for a compact camera - but I have this attachment to viewfinders...which most of the new small cameras don't have :/ All of the powershot models have been pretty good as far as I know.

$0.03

1 vote

I am an amateur. I feel like a camera I can quickly store in a pocket is the best for my lifestyle! 😁