Stupidzoom

[nojay]

 I bought a new-to-me camera for my recent trip to Japan, a second-hand Fujifuilm HS30EXR bridge camera outfitted with what is termed a "superzoom" lens. It's the first digital camera I've had with a substantial zoom capability -- my usual pocket camera is a Panasonic LX-3 which takes wonderful low-light pictures with its Leica lens but it has a

Comments

[bellinghman]

I love my LX-3 - but yes, it's a lousy zoom. Now, something with its low light performance and a decent zoom would be great.

(I'm not holding my breath though. Not for something less than 4 figures sterling.)

[nojay]

I was tempted to trade my LX-3 for an LX-7 for the trip but the small increase in zoom range from 2.5X to 3.8X and the other benefits (HD video etc.) were outclassed by my decision to buy this stupidzoom camera instead (which does HD video as well as 320fps slo-mo and a number of other tricks).

I took the LX-3 with me to Japan and used it a few times but mostly I carried the Brick around with me but it took effort both physical and mental to do so. The LX-3 slips into a pocket and is just there if you decide to pull it out and use it, a big plus on its side. There are some pocketable compact 20X superzooms out there but they always looked a bit iffy to me, unfolding like aluminium origami as they power up. Their sensor size and general optics also did not appeal -- the Brick's front glass is about 50mm in diameter (it takes standard 58mm filters and accessories) and although size isn't everything it counts for a lot in photography terms.