Compact Camera with best Zoom?

three questions, how much zoom, how compact, and what didn't you like about the ixus 40?

Have a look at the Olympus ultrazoom range. Read the reviews on DPReview and other sites. A friend of mine bought one and I've been impressed with the results I've seen (but less than impressed with the backup service, I'd have to say).

If you are going for lots of zoom, make sure you also get some form of image stabilisation.

Technology may be moving on but not quite as fast as you imagine. I have an Ixus 55 which I purchased late last year to take to India and couldn't be happier.

At the moment there aren't any super-zoom compact cameras although in 18 months there could well be a selection. The problem is to physically fit a zoom lens into a slender package - difficult to do. The only one I can think of is the Olympus 640 But no viewfinder which I consider to be essential.

However if you want to be at the leading edge then the Kodak V610 is just right for you. Let us know how it performs.

Lan
To be honest my wife would like my Ixus 40 - so I said ok I will get another!
Zoom - up to about 150/180 would be ok & of course not much bigger than my Ixus 40.
I must say I like my Ixus it is small, not too complicated & quite good quality & no probs yet!.
Winston - glad you like a viewfinder too! I'm an oldie, old fashioned etc & consider it essential esp for quick shots & composing esp in bright sunshine.
I just thought somebody would know if a few new models were coming on the market as I am sure bigger zooms are on the way - sometime!!!
C

In that case, have a look at the SD700IS (aka Ixus800) - goes to 140, is compact, has IS, has a viewfinder, and should be otherwise fairly similar to your existing camera. Try before you buy, in case there are some gremlins that the spec sheet doesn't reveal though...

Any professional or keen amateur photographer will say that they require and use a viewfinder. It steadies the hand and helps frame the shot. Maybe it is the passage of the years but I'm darned if I can clearly see an LCD screen, even a 2 1/2 inch one. Handy for reviewing shots afterwards though.

The Ixus suggested by Lan would be good although it's still only 3.8x zoom. There is the Canon Powershot TX1 which is new and very attractive - not much bigger than an IXUS and 10x zoom. But again, no viewfinder from what I've read. Check it out.

Winston: To a certain extent it depends on the screen, some are good in sunlight, others so bad you'll never see a thing. With the brightness turned up, I can use the Fuji Finepix F31fd screen in sunlight, I couldn't use the Sony F505 at all in similar conditions. It does help if you're slightly short sighted though ;)

That said I still prefer an optical SLR viewfinder in most situations...

Thanks guys for your advice.
Have decided to go for the 800 is. There seems to be rave reviews about the image stabilizer.
28mm to 140 will fit the bill & its got a VIEWFINDER!!! - a bit bigger than my present Ixus 40 tho'.
Seems to be about £190 in UK unless someone knows better!
Lots of good info on "Letsgodigital" site - many pros but short on cons!!
Cheers
C

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<hr>Any professional or keen amateur photographer will say that they require and use a viewfinder. It steadies the hand and helps frame the shot.<hr></blockquote>

Well, not "any"....

A couple of us individually tested the viewfinder/LCD issue and found essentially no advantage to holding the camera to ones face as opposed to shooting from the LCD.

I know that violates what many want to believe, but...

Further...

My casual observation, and the observation of a photography instructor, was that some people seem to do a lot better job of framing when working from an LCD. My guess is that they treat the LCD more like a "picture frame" and they "look through" the viewfinder and don't give the same importance to the side of the viewfinder.