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Top-Rated Pocket Megazooms

These powerful compact cameras offer more optical-zoom range than the average point-and-shoot. It's a dead heat between the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS, Nikon Coolpix S9100, and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V at the top of our chart. If you crave simplicity, go for the Nikon; if you need manual controls, opt for the Canon. If you want superb video and fun modes, the Sony should be your pick.

Edited by Tim Moynihan, PCWorld   

Rating & Price
Products
1
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $280

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Building on an already-excellent camera, the 14X-optical-zoom PowerShot SX230 HS adds a new sensor, 1080p video capture, high-speed shooting, and in-camera GPS to the mix.

Full Review | Specs - Rated: May 02, 2011
2
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $199

Nikon Coolpix S9100

The Nikon Coolpix S9100 is the rare beast that will please both novices and experienced shooters, even with its lack of manual controls. Thanks to its great image quality and creative controls, practically anyone will find this camera a pleasure to use.

Full Review | Video Review | Specs - Rated: May 13, 2011
3
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $372

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V

The 16X-optical-zoom Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V is loaded with fun extras, including 3D shooting, excellent video quality, in-camera GPS, and groundbreaking scene modes.

Full Review | Specs - Rated: June 03, 2011
4
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $310

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20

The Lumix ZS20 is a top-tier travel camera, thanks to a far-reaching zoom lens, built-in GPS with mapping, extensive shooting options, and good (but not great) image and video quality.

Full Review | Video Review | Specs - Rated: May 17, 2012
5
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $175

Casio Exilim EX-H20G

The vacation-friendly EX-H20G has a 10X-optical-zoom lens, great GPS features, and in-camera mapping. It's a top performer in daylight, but it lacks manual controls and a few key features.

Full Review | Specs - Rated: February 17, 2011
6
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $224

Fujifilm FinePix F550EXR

The 15X-zoom FinePix F550EXR has GPS features and in-camera extras that go beyond the norm, but in image and video quality it lags a bit behind competitors.

Full Review | Specs - Rated: September 07, 2011
7
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $280

Casio Exilim EX-ZR100

The Exilim ZR100 offers super-high-speed shooting and phenomenal battery life, two factors that set it apart from other pocket megazooms in its class.

Full Review | Specs - Rated: September 06, 2011
8
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $200

Samsung WB150F

The 18X-optical-zoom, Wi-Fi-enabled Samsung WB150F has a nice mix of creative modes for casual shooters, but its manual controls require a bit too much menu-diving.

Full Review | Specs - Rated: April 27, 2012
9
PCWorld Rating
Prices from $279

Canon PowerShot Elph 520 HS

The PowerShot Elph 520 HS is a very compact 12X-optical-zoom camera designed for casual shooters. It doesn't perform at the level we're used to seeing in Canon's cameras, and its MicroSD slot and lack of manual controls may give prospective buyers pause.

Full Review | Specs - Rated: April 09, 2012

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