Spec me cheap & nasty superzoom

[Mr Badger]

Alright I don't really mean the nasty bit

Although I take my DSLR on holiday, these days it ends up spending most of the time in the apartment rather than getting lugged around. I already have a decent compact for evening use (Canon S90) so I'm toying with getting one with a wide to long zoom range to carry during the day. I don't want to spend a lot on it as it's only for holiday snaps, but obviously want bang for buck. I've never had a camera with built in WiFi, GPS etc. so not currently convinced it's worth paying much extra for.

So allowing for the inherent limitations of the design, any thoughts as to the best "quality" out of the following please? Or indeed a better "budget" compact/big zoom alternative?

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ40 £149
Panasonic Lumix TZ35 £130
Canon Powershot SX270 HS £119
Canon PowerShot SX600 HS £159 (£139 after cashback)
NIKON COOLPIX Superzoom S9600 £149
OLYMPUS SZ-17 Superzoom £149 (not much info - may be a renamed SZ-16)

Or even the Nikon L820 30x Zoom £99.99

 

[Sh4rkie]

Can't comment on the camera question directly but as it's a travel camera really consider GPS. The ability in years to come when the memories have faded a little to plot on a Google maps (or similar) where particular shots were taken will be a huge bonus.

 

[Columbo]

If you need the zoom go for a Panasonic TZ alternatively if you the best image quality at the sacrifice of zoom then have a look at a Fuji XF1 for £129

 

[Mr Badger]

Can't comment on the camera question directly but as it's a travel camera really consider GPS. The ability in years to come when the memories have faded a little to plot on a Google maps (or similar) where particular shots were taken will be a huge bonus.

Interesting observation that.

 

[D.P.]

Be aware that the cheap and nasty super zooms with ridiculous zoom lens will give worse IQ and lower effective zoom (in terms of detail recovered from distant subjects) than the P&Ss with a more reasonable zoom lens and better sensor.

 

[Mr Badger]

If you need the zoom go for a Panasonic TZ alternatively if you the best image quality at the sacrifice of zoom then have a look at a Fuji XF1 for £129

My Canon S90 is still doing OK for me with it's faster lens covering the more limited zoom range (28-105mm equivalent I think). The current temptation is for something compact like the Panasonic with it's 24-480mm range to use outdoors.