Looking for Pocket camera with long zoom: A previous post on this subject reminded me I, too, am looking for a small, light pocket camera with the longest zoom possible. It would be a...

Ufauxreal

A previous post on this subject reminded me I, too, am looking for a small, light pocket camera with the longest zoom possible. It would be a present for a friend. Budget would be $50+/- Used is fine. Which words should I use in a search of either eBay or a used camera site to get the best results. Thanks.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

"Travel camera" would be a good start. You could also include "superzoom".

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

The most range comes in bridge cameras, but they are not pocketable and above your budget. Anything I can suggest is above your budget, but the type of camera is a Lumix DCZS80 or Sony DSC-HX99. Try looking for earlier models like a used DC-ZS70 or DSC-HX80.

Burtzy Loc: Bronx N.Y. & Simi Valley, CA

I have a Panasonic DMC-FS5 that I'm willing to part with, if you're interested. It's a 10mp, pocket camera that has a 4-1 zoom. It comes with a battery and charger. I bought it from another hogger a year or so back as part of a small group of stuff he was selling. I have only used it occasionally but it seems to work fine. It's cosmetically in good shape. There is the smallest dent in the lens I.D. ring that I never even noticed until today when I examined it to make certain it would be worth my offering it to you. It's barely noticeable and doesn't impair the working of the camera in any way. I don't have a shot of the camera but if you'd like to see it, you can PM me and I'll take a few shots. I can even toss in the 16gb card that's in the camera. I'd take $45.00, shipping included.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

The Nikon 1 might fit the bill. It's a compact camera with interchangeable lenses. Given its 1" CX sensor size, the 30-110mm (81-297mm 35mm equivalent) has fast focusing and some nifty new (for the time) technology. Sadly, Nikon killed the camera in 2018. You can find a number of bodies and lenses on eBay. My experience with the camera wasn't exactly point-and-shoot, and it stopped recognizing the 30-110 lens. Not worth having it repaired.

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

PHRubin wrote:

The most range comes in bridge cameras, but they are not pocketable and above your budget. Anything I can suggest is above your budget, but the type of camera is a Lumix DCZS80 or Sony DSC-HX99. Try looking for earlier models like a used DC-ZS70 or DSC-HX80.

This is very good advice. I bought the Sony DSC-HX99 and loved its reach but I have quite large hands and it was difficult for me to use. Gave it to my wife. Great camera.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Some older Sony compacts are about the size of a deck of cards and provide decent zoom range (4x to 8x) and decent MP images. My Sony DSC-W830 has an 8x zoom and a 20mp sensor. It makes very good images in decent light and has a panorama function and video capability as well. Getting a dependable compact camera for $50, though, may be difficult to find. You might get one off shopgoodwill in that price range but it would be a gamble.

Stan

Ufauxreal

Thanks, StanMac,
That Sony looks like a good alternative. I'm not that concerned about the size of the sensor because i don't think she will plan to print images... she mostly posts them on Facebook. She does Kayaking, and wants something better than her phone to be able to capture wildlife along the shore. She's mostly in smooth rivers, lakes, etc. I don't think she would take it along in white water, where there would be danger of getting it wet. The few on eBay said they had a 5X optical zoom. Would that do what she wants, do you think?

therwol Loc: USA

Ufauxreal wrote:

A previous post on this subject reminded me I, too, am looking for a small, light pocket camera with the longest zoom possible. It would be a present for a friend. Budget would be $50+/- Used is fine. Which words should I use in a search of either eBay or a used camera site to get the best results. Thanks.

Look at this eBay listing. I bought one of these in 2011 and used it to take pictures of two overseas vacations and my son's wedding. It has a 14x optical zoom. It takes excellent still pictures. The downsides are: If you turn the GPS feature on, it eats batteries. If you take video with the thing, it has the same problem. For a few minutes of HD video, it works fine.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165801748874?epid=100127406&hash=item269a8de98a:g:YhkAAOSwcEJjg9A3&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsLSyoONBBCOhmIULAefWau%2F%2FqthuECsQXJE3f%2F8gHS2Vi2Nk6ra0jUPYR1MeJvA3FTA3DpW2ri9FDwCXARPhAVq9zKQw67nTkx7AQNa8KlGrtiqQN%2FPhcEHeSe4oUVXqK6KlEhgJGlXMZ456r4LDXDwzKR4AfomL%2Fm%2FrLzUZ%2B6%2FX4%2BM%2FL7lBl2dOTxd%2FzMJ%2Bqn%2F0oDlLZ33jMOfweQ1%2F9xdnutwVkcPUIpSJTcLB3vdc%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9riibKXYQ

Ufauxreal

therwol wrote:

Look at this eBay listing. I bought one of these ... (show quote)

WOW, thanks so much. That really looks perfect... as a matter of fact, I just bought it!!!

therwol Loc: USA

Ufauxreal wrote:

WOW, thanks so much. That really looks perfect... as a matter of fact, I just bought it!!!

There are newer and better cameras, but not for 50 bucks, and it isn't junk. I'll attach one picture I took with mine in 2017.

(Download)

bobbydvideo

SONY DSC-HX80. 30 X Optical, 4K Video.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Compact zoom -

https://www.cameralabs.com/best-superzoom-camera/
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-enthusiast-long-zoom-cameras
https://www.apotelyt.com/camera-guide/best-superzoom
https://www.pocket-lint.com/cameras/buyers-guides/154934-best-compact-cameras
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-superzoom-camera/

https://www.t3.com/features/best-compact-cameras
https://www.techradar.com/news/best-travel-camera
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-superzoom-camera/

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

therwol wrote:

There are newer and better cameras, but not for 50 bucks, and it isn't junk. I'll attach one picture I took with mine in 2017.

The backyard of Windsor Castle?

Scrub615 Loc: Rhode Island

Hi! Since the camera is longer on Ebay, I couldn’t see what kind of camera it was…can you tell me what it was? Going to Europe soon and it sounds perfect! Then I can look for another one if available somewhere! Thanks!