This is the Olympus SP-590UZ. It's a typical 'superzoom' camera. It's a compact with a small sensor and a non-interchangeable lens which has a 26x zoom range, covering a focal range equivalent to 26-676mm; in other words, from extra-wideangle to super-telephoto. The quality from the small sensor is OK at low ISOs but deteriorates quickly at higher settings. Nevertheless, the low cost compared to a digital SLR, the range of photographic controls and the huge versatility makes this a popular kind of camera.
But although superzooms like the SP-590UZ are powerful cameras, they're not especially compact. You certainly wouldn't be able to put one in your pocket. For this, you need a 'superzoom compact' like the Panasonic TZ10.
The TZ10 has a 12x zoom equivalent to 25-300mm. You sacrifice the very longest focal lengths, but these aren't used that much anyway. And in return you get a camera which is not much larger than a regular pocket-sized compact. In many ways, then, a compact superzoom is more practical.
You can also get 'superzoom' lenses for digital SLRs. This is the Tamron 18-270mm VC, which boasts a 15x zoom range that's currently the longest for a digital SLR lens, and it covers a focal range equivalent to 28-420mm. The 'VC' stands for Tamron's Vibration Control image stabilisation system. Some kind of image stabilisation system is essential for any superzoom lens or camera.
Superzooms are amazingly versatile, but there are some significant issues:
• Loss of sharpness at longer focal lengths. People often buy a superzoom for its extra focal range, only to be disappointed by the sharpness. This is quite normal, unfortunately, though the best examples can still yield acceptable results at full zoom. The sharpness at short-medium focal lengths is fine.
• Distortion. With a standard zoom you expect a degree of barrel distortion at the wideangle end of the zoom range and pincushion distortion at the telephoto end, but superzoom lenses are usually a lot worse.
• Chromatic aberration: Generally, a superzoom will show higher levels of chromatic aberration (colour fringing) than a normal superzoom at most focal lengths, but at full zoom it can be particularly bad.
• Size and weight: This doesn't affect compact superzoom cameras particularly, but it is an issue with superzoom lenses for SLRs. The Tamron 18-270mm VC is compact for its type, but it's still a monster, especially when extended to its full zoom.
