For those interested in ultra-zoom digital cameras, the latest Consumer
Reports (June issue) reviews 20 what it calls "advanced point-and-shoot"
cameras. Four of the 20 cameras reviewed zoom to at least 600mm, so I am
classifying them as ultra-zoom cameras that would work well for bird photos.

Here's how Consumer Reports rated the four ultra-zooms.

The best-rated of the four was the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 III, which zooms
to 600mm, costs $1300, has 20 megapixels, and weighs 41 ounces. It had a
score of 78. This camera was rated No. 2 out of the 20 reviewed. (No. 1
was the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 II, which zooms only to 200mm and had a
score of 79.)

The second-best ultra-zoom was the Canon PowerShot G3 X, which came in
5th with a score of 74. It costs $900 and zooms to 600mm. It has 20
megapixels and weighs 27 ounces.

A distant third place among the ultra-zooms went to the Canon PowerShot
SX60HS, which received a score of 57 and ranked 19 out of 20. It costs
$480, zooms to 1365mm, has 16 megapixels and weighs 24 ounces.

Just behind it in dead last place was the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 with
a score of 55. It costs $315, zooms to 720mm, has 18 megapixels and
weighs only 10 ounces.

It appears that the ratings pretty much track the cost of the camera,
with the most expensive rating highest and the least expensive ranking
lowest. The highest ranked is also the heaviest, and the lowest ranked
the lightest. Unfortunate correlations both!

Consumer Reports says that the overall scores were based primarily on
image quality and ease of use but also factored in video, image
stabilization, the screen and the viewfinder, where applicable. "Image
quality...is based on tests performed in auto and manual mode with
regular photos, low-light photos, and flash photos. We judge color
reproduction, dynamic range, resolution, distortion, reflection, and
image stabilization, along with video shooting." The article does not
provide information on sensor-size, though that information is easily
available elsewhere online.

The quest goes on for a reasonably priced lightweight camera with
excellent image quality and long zoom! Probably an unrealistic goal.

Jane Hadley

Seattle, WA


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