Top 10 Best Ultra Zoom Bridge Digital Cameras

Updated November 2012. The ultra zoom - or bridge style camera is still a popular format of camera, offering SLR styled looks and a huge optical zoom. This style of camera lets you get wide-angle shots and then zoom into distant subjects, with the latest cameras offering up to 50x optical zoom! Here is our list of the best ultra zoom / bridge cameras reviewed on ePHOTOzine, click the name to read the full review:

Number 1: Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510 - The Nikon Coolpix P510 is the update to the previous number 1, the Coolpix P500. It has a massive 42x optical zoom lens, from an ultra wide 24mm equivalent all the way to 1000mm equivalent, and built in GPS. Available for £269.

Joint 2nd: Canon Powershot SX50 HS

Canon Powershot SX50 HS - The Canon Powershot SX50 has a massive 50x optical zoom lens, giving the equivalent of 24 - 1200mm! This combined with some clever zoom subject tracking features makes it an impressive camera. Available for £429.

Joint 2nd: Panasonic Lumix FZ200

Panasonic Lumix FZ200 - The Panasonic Lumix FZ200 may "only" have a 24x optical zoom lens, equivalent to 25mm to 600mm at the telephoto end, but it features a bright f/2.8 aperture at all lens positions, making it great for low-light photography. Available for £439.

Joint 2nd: Fujifilm X-S1

Fujifilm X-S1 - The Fujifilm X-S1 has a 26x optical zoom lens, with this premium bridge camera focusing on image quality. Available for £431.

Joint 3rd: Panasonic Lumix FZ62

Panasonic Lumix FZ62 - the Panasonic Lumix FZ62 uses a 16.1 megapixel sensor and produces some great photos. Zooms from 25mm - 600mm equivalent. The FZ62 is available for £260.

Joint 3rd: Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR

Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR - the Fujifilm FinePix HS30 EXR features a 30x optical zoom lens, tilting screen, manual controls and RAW shooting as well as the Fujifilm EXR sensor to enabled extended dynamic range. Available for £249.

Joint 4th: Sony Cybershot HX200v

Sony Cybershot HX200v - The Sony Cybershot HX200v comes with built in GPS, and an 18 megapixel sensor, however you will pay the price for these features as the price of the HX200v is at the higher end of the cameras here. Zooms from 27mm to 810mm equivalent. Available for £349.

Joint 4th: Olympus SP-820UZ

Olylmpus SP-820UZ - The Olympus SP-820 UZ features a 40x optical zoom lens, a 35mm equivalent of 22.4 - 896mm, it takes 4 AA batteries so would be ideal for travelling. Available for £249.

Joint 5th: Canon Powershot SX500 HS

Canon Powershot SX500 HS - The Canon Powershot SX500 HS features a 30x optical zoom lens and is one of the more compact ultra zoom bridge cameras available. Available for £239.

Joint 5th - Pentax X-5

Pentax X-5 - the Pentax X-5 features a 26x optical zoom lens, manual controls, and a stylish mini-SLR body with a good rubberised grip in all the right places. Available for £189.

Although these cameras offer some of the longest telephoto optical zoom lenses available on a camera, if you are looking for something more compact, you could have a look at the Olympus SZ30MR, with compact camera styling it manages to pack a massive 24x optical zoom lens!

Found your perfect camera? Don't forget to pick up a bag for it to protect it - have a look at our complete guide to bags. If you want a memory card for your camera, have a look at our complete guide to memory cards. Updated November 2012.