Point and shoots are generally seen as the wimpy hacks of the camera world, when compared to modern DSLRs and fancy new Micro Four Thirds cameras. But their specs — like the 18x optical zoom on the Pentax Optio RZ18 — are getting pretty impressive. It’s like when Carrot Top grew mega-muscles and could all-of-a-sudden kick your arse.
The Optio RZ18′s lens covers 12mm to 450mm, which pretty spectacular for a point and shoot. It’s also got a 16MP sensor, a 3-inch LCD display, image stabilisation, and it shoots video at 720p/30fps. It’ll be available for $US300 in October. [Marketwatch via Slashgear]
TSH
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 10:57 AMThe specs are impressive but too many of my customers were novices with no idea of the limitations of a P&S, and overblown expectations.
That camera will ONLY get decent shots @ “450mm” zoom IF (1) the subject is very well lit, as on a bright sunny day and (2) the camera is held *very* steady – say on a tripod or sat on a stable surface and (3) if the subject isn’t moving too fast.
Having said that, it’s cool to have a lot of flexibility in such cheap cameras these days. With the right inspiration, time and attention to detail you can do a lot with a modern P&S digicam!
oliver
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 5:29 PMHey TSH
what would you recommend to a noob with regard to cameras, that isn’t afraid to learn about them.
i used to have a a cannon nixus 50 (i think thats what it was). i was reasonably happy with that.