Best 35mm Film Cameras
| Last Updated: July 31, 2019
Shooting with a superzoom camera is a lot like driving a high-performance car with minimal previous time behind the wheel. It takes some getting used to, from focusing to holding your hands still when shooting to understanding the impact of smaller sensor sizes on framing.
The first trick is selecting the one that’s a great match for your needs, and that’s where our best superzoom cameras comparison list will help.
Superzoom cameras are fixed lens models, often considered a bridge camera between DSLRs or mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses and point-and-shoot compacts. Sensors are small, in the I” to 1/2.3” size, which extends the equivalent focal range when compared to a full frame DSLR.
Further, there’s no easy calculation for how far of a distance from which these lenses will be able to pull in the action. Suffice to say it’s far, particularly for those models over 1000mm.
Think about your common shooting needs at a distance (people, wildlife, stills, videos), along with how you prefer to carry your camera (pocket, neck strap, travel bag).
We bring you an option in each major category, along with a budget option. The good news is that when compared to a dedicated large camera and lenses, these best superzoom cameras are all affordable along with being fun.
8 Best Superzoom Cameras
Best Overall: Sony Cybershot DSC-RX10 IV
- Camera Type: DSLR-like
- Sensor Size: 1”
- Sensor Resolution: 20.0 MP
- Equivalent Focal Range: 24-600mm
- Aperture: f/2.4-4.0
- Video Resolution: 4K
- Weight: 2.4 lbs.
In the short list of large sensor superzooms available today, this Sony stands out as best in class for its almost perfect mixture of form meeting function and flexible features. It has image stabilization to help steady your handheld images and an articulating touchscreen for the times when a tripod is necessary. Plus, it is weather-sealed for your outdoor work.
The lens covers wide-angle to super-telephoto, with matching apertures in the fast range at both ends. Its 25x optical zoom will allow you to take your viewers on a fast ride for 4K videos, and it has a high-speed video capture setting on top of that. An amazing 315 focus points in your autofocusing and a manual focus system give you plenty of framing options.
Users note the camera is significantly heavier and thicker than some would like. The touchscreen menu may not feel intuitive. However, because of everything it can do, reviewers generally agree that this Sony offers features above and beyond what you could expect in the superzoom market, making it our best overall choice.
Best Runner-Up: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500
- Camera Type: DSLR-like
- Sensor Size: 1”
- Sensor Resolution: 20.0 MP
- Equivalent Focal Range: 24-480mm
- Aperture: f/2.8-4.5
- Video Resolution: 4K
- Weight: 2.0 lbs.
Panasonic found its niche in the compact camera arena and capitalized on it with models like this, a superzoom with something everyone will love. Start with the focal range of its Leica-made lens, a great blending of wide-angle to super-telephoto and everything in between. Couple that with a workable range of aperture values, fast at the wide end and appropriate at the tele end too.
This compact size packs a punch in other ways, like optical image stabilization to help hold your jitters to a minimum when extending at full 20x zoom. Video is the fastest available for this class of camera: ultra-high definition. Other features that make shooting easier include the fully articulating LCD touchscreen and the 100% coverage electronic viewfinder.
It won’t fit in your pocket easily due to the larger physical size of the fixed lens, might feel a bit heavy in your hand, and lacks weather sealing. Some users note that image quality might not be the sharpest with this camera without investing in learning curve time.
Given that shooting any fixed lens camera at a superzoom range will require the photog to learn better focusing and stillness balance, this Panasonic remains a close runner-up to best overall for the many flexible features it offers.
Best for Travel: Canon PowerShot G3 X
- Camera Type: DSLR-like
- Sensor Size: 1”
- Sensor Resolution: 20.2 MP
- Equivalent Focal Range: 24-600mm
- Aperture: f/2.8-5.6
- Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Weight: 1.6 lbs.
If fast zoom (25x) with a fast lens is what you’re after, this Canon covers your range. It is weather-sealed for outdoor work and includes image stabilization for handheld shooting. Its low light ISO capability makes it good for dawn and dusk work at a distance as well as larger spaces indoors.
Unique features include a time lapse setting and manual focusing and exposure controls. Its image quality as judged by an independent testing body (when taken by professionals) puts it slightly above the best overall and runner-up on our list. The tilting LCD touchscreen makes adjusting your settings easy.
Reviewers are critical of the slower tele end of the lens and the resulting poorer (blurred) quality images that result. While many call it a good travel camera, it is not as light as others on our list. It is a great lightweight alternative if you’re moving around a lot and want an alternative to a large DSLR and a photog gear bag full of lenses.
Best for Wildlife: Nikon Coolpix P1000
- Camera Type: Compact
- Sensor Size: 1/2.3”
- Sensor Resolution: 16.0 MP
- Equivalent Focal Range: 24-3000mm
- Aperture: f/2.8-8.0
- Video Resolution: 4K
- Weight: 3.1 lbs.
Yes, 24-3000mm is NOT a typo. Imagine being able to get this close to your subject through the magic of glass, be they person, bird, or beast, without them being aware you’re there.
At the wide end this camera and lens combo is fast, while the slower tele end matches the extreme distance work with its 125x optical zoom scope.
Carry an extra battery for any planned shooting sessions, as the life is about 250 shots. The Nikon Coolpix’s manual focusing and exposure lets you use your artistic side during your distance work. The ultra-high-resolution video encourages you to add videography to your wildlife arsenal.
At this focal range, you’ll be shooting with a travel tripod, particularly when you consider the much heavier weight and heft of the fully extended lens on this body. It lacks weather sealing as well as image stabilization, so stability will be a must.
While some might not like the price tag, comparable interchangeable lenses would cost as much as a new car, so consider this Nikon a great contender for those of us with professional aspirations on a beer budget.
Best for Low Light: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
- Camera Type: DSLR-like/Compact
- Sensor Size: 1/2.3”
- Sensor Resolution: 12.1 MP
- Equivalent Focal Range: 25-600mm
- Aperture: f/2.8
- Video Resolution: 4K
- Weight: 1.5 lbs.
If low light shooting is your gig, this Panasonic has the range to support it. Its Leica-made lens is a fast fixed aperture, unique among this breed of camera, giving you consistent control over the wide to super-tele focal length of your lens. It is designed to be rugged as well with environmental sealing in all joints and sealings.
While this camera is often listed as beginner DSLR-like, it is truly a compact small-sensor model. Its high-resolution video couples with an image capture mode, allowing you to pull from your videos. A flexible auto and manual focusing system with 49 focus points gives you plenty of framing flexibility.
Reviewers note that the lower sensor resolution is a disappointment, sometimes causing a lack of detail in close-up or highly detailed work. The dials are not in common placement compared to other brands. While your focusing may not be as clear over ISO 1600, when all other features are considered, this is a good camera to use for low light imaging.
Best for the Human Face: Fujifilm FinePix S1
- Camera Type: Compact
- Sensor Size: 1/2.3”
- Sensor Resolution: 16.0 MP
- Equivalent Focal Range: 24-1200mm
- Aperture: f/2.8-5.6
- Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Weight: 1.5 lbs.
If your photography runs to more portraiture style work, the 50x zoom on this Fujifilm with its Face Detection focusing will be a great assist. It includes an amazing focal range good for low-action distance photos of humans. It is fast at the wide end and acceptably slow at the tele end.
Users note it fills a sweet spot in urban and street work at about 800mm for real life shooting. It is said to be truly water-resistant in its weather sealing, so heavier rain should not be an issue. Its image stabilization and medium weight make it a sound choice for handheld work.
When in zoom mode, the lens on this camera extends, which not all reviewers like. Focusing can take some practice in high speed or regular video mode. Still, users say it is a great carry-around camera for those times when life presents you with unplanned imaging opportunities.
Best for Videos: Nikon Coolpix P900
- Camera Type: Compact
- Sensor Size: 1/2.3”
- Sensor Resolution: 16.0 MP
- Equivalent Focal Range: 24-840mm
- Aperture: f/3.4-6.9
- Video Resolution: 4K
- Weight: .7 lbs.
If videos are your preferred form of expression and you want a compact that zooms in on the action, this Nikon will tick a lot of boxes. It has both image and video stabilization, and since it shoots with ultra-HD resolution, you’ll have plenty of range to work with. While the focal range is not as extended as the other Nikon on our list, the lens won’t extend far, either.
At this low weight, your handheld work will be much easier. Aperture values are adequate for the kinds of medium light shooting you’ll probably be doing for moving image work. Presets within the camera make adjusting to your setting’s conditions easy to accomplish.
Reviewers note the battery life is short for this camera, about 250 shots, and shorter when you’re shooting video for your YouTube channel. Autofocusing appears to be quick, as does the zoom, but takes some getting used to at the tele end of its range. If you want a small camera to fit in a pocket or purse and video is in your regular repertoire, this model might be for you.
Best Budget: Canon PowerShot SX610 HS
- Camera Type: Compact
- Sensor Size: 1/2.3”
- Sensor Resolution: 20.0 MP
- Equivalent Focal Range: 25-450mm
- Aperture: f/3.8-6.9
- Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Weight: .4 lbs.
Some would argue that light on price equates to light on features, but this Canon has a lot to offer. While the video isn’t ultra-high resolution, it does offer image stabilization for those times when you want to stay in the background with handheld shooting. It has a solid wide-angle to super-tele focal range, though the aperture values are slow at both ends.
You can’t save some money without cutting back on features, such as manual exposure, fast continuous shooting and the number of focus points (it has only nine). While the 18x optical zoom speed is not as fast as other cameras on our list, the sensor resolution is on par with the highest on our list. Best of all, you can slip it in your pocket and always have it available for those daily life scenes.
Reviewers note that if you’re used to the dial setup on other compact Canons, you might find adjusting to the function button on this one an annoyance. Image quality isn’t always what people hope for if they’re used to more expensive lens opticals. Overall, for the low well-under-$500 price point, though, it’s a superzoom that can help you reach distances that would cost you tens of thousands in a full frame DSLR.
