x50 optical zoom cameras: New point and shoot type cameras with x50 optical zoom are now being introduced and I wonder how such a degree of zoom is achieved on these cameras. To get...

Bryn Loc: Connecticut

New point and shoot type cameras with x50 optical zoom are now being introduced and I wonder how such a degree of zoom is achieved on these cameras. To get these equivalent zooms on a DSLR you would need a huge lens of 600-700mm?

mtclicker Loc: Montana

I don't know how, but it works

Mercer Loc: Houston, TX, USA

Bryn wrote:

New point and shoot type cameras with x50 optical zoom are now being introduced and I wonder how such a degree of zoom is achieved on these cameras. To get these equivalent zooms on a DSLR you would need a huge lens of 600-700mm?

I think it may be because the superzoom bridge camera have a smaller sensor? This would cause photos taken through the lens to display a telephoto image, just as a "D"sensor does when compared to a "full frame" sensor found in our DSLR cameras.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The Canon SX50 HS, with 50x zoom, is the equivalent of 1200mm lens in a 35mm camera format. There are articles in the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of UHH + you can do Google search for the details on how sensor size affects this.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

And to top it off, there is a super zoom bridge camera that maintains f2.8 throughout all focal lengths. Bridge cameras are doing amazing things these days.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

charles brown wrote:

And to top it off, there is a super zoom bridge camera that maintains f2.8 throughout all focal lengths. Bridge cameras are doing amazing things these days.

What camera, please? Thank you.

mrsoup Loc: Hoosierland

Panasonic Lumix FZ200 maintains F2.8 - However, it does not have a 50x zoom.

Uses Leica lens which is rated as one of the very best.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

mrsoup wrote:

Panasonic Lumix FZ200 maintains F2.8 - However, it does not have a 50x zoom.

Uses Leica lens which is rated as one of the very best.

Thanks

bunuweld Loc: Arizona

Bryn wrote:

New point and shoot type cameras with x50 optical zoom are now being introduced and I wonder how such a degree of zoom is achieved on these cameras. To get these equivalent zooms on a DSLR you would need a huge lens of 600-700mm?

The smaller the sensor, the shorter the *real* focal length needs to be to achieve the same zoom as with a camera with a larger sensor, and the size of the lens can be much smaller as well, both in physical length and in weight and volume. A side benefit of the smaller sensor is that image stabilization is much easier than with the giant lens counterparts of the DSLRs

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Mercer wrote:

I think it may be because the superzoom bridge camera have a smaller sensor? This would cause photos taken through the lens to display a telephoto image, just as a "D"sensor does when compared to a "full frame" sensor found in our DSLR cameras.

Linda From Maine wrote:

The Canon SX50 HS, with 50x zoom, is the equivalent of 1200mm lens in a 35mm camera format. There are articles in the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of UHH + you can do Google search for the details on how sensor size affects this.

Interesting observations. The SX-50 has a 4.3-215mm lens with a crop factor of 5.8. You have to give Canon a lot of credit for having a small sensor that can record such detail.