Superzoom
Encyclopedia
The term hyperzoom or superzoom is used to advertise photographic zoom lens
es with unconventionally large focal length factors, typically more than 5× and ranging up to 15×, e.g., 35 mm to 350 mm. The largest ratio for digital SLR
cameras is held by the Tamron 18–270 mm, giving 15×. Some bridge digital camera
s have even larger zoom ratios up to 36×. For movie and television use, Panavision
holds the record with their 300X (7-2100mm, 23-7000mm 35mm equivalent) HD Lens with Compound Zoom Technology.
While superzoom lenses have improved greatly in recent years, they still have a number of drawbacks in comparison with shorter-range zooms and prime lens
es. Most notable is the much increased likelihood of significant distortions of the image at both extreme ends of the range. Other potential problems include smaller maximum aperture
and poorer autofocus
performance, although this is solved with the Nikon 1
Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD-Zoom with quiet ultra-fast Voice Coil
motor (VCM) driving an low-mass internal focusing system.
The first zoom for photo cameras was introduced by Voigtländer
in 1959 (Voigtländer ZOOMAR 1:2,8/36–82 mm). It was in fact designed by an independent lensmaker Zommar from Long Island, New York.
That same year Nikon introduced a Nikkor an 85–250 mm/1:4.0-4.5 for the new Nikon F.
The first zoom affordable for amateurs was the Vivitar series I 1:3.5/70–210 mm of 1973 with at that time a breathtaking focal length range. Further superzoom was a 100–500 mm/1:8 Rokkor from Minolta and a 360-1200/1:11 Nikkor from 1976.
1980 brought Tokina a wide angle - to zoom with the likewise enormous focal length range of 1:4.0/28–85 mm on the market. Only two years later Tokina presented then first superzoom shot after the today's understanding, it also covered a focal length spectrum from 35–200 mm (1982).
The focal length range was again increased 1985, when Kiron presented the first zoom lens with a focal length range of 28–210 mm.
format in SLR
s or for APS
format in DSLRs. The minimal factor used here is more than 5×. A 28–200 mm have a 75° to 12.3° angle of view, a 28–300 mm (or an 18–200 mm for an APS DSLR) have 75° to 8.2°. Between parenthesis are the Photodo rating, if any.
Canon
Cosina
also sold under Phoenix Corporation brand
Minolta AF
Nikkor
Olympus Corporation
Pentax
Sigma Corporation
Sony
Tamron
Tokina
Zoom lens
A zoom lens is a mechanical assembly of lens elements for which the focal length can be varied, as opposed to a fixed focal length lens...
es with unconventionally large focal length factors, typically more than 5× and ranging up to 15×, e.g., 35 mm to 350 mm. The largest ratio for digital SLR
Digital single-lens reflex camera
Most digital single-lens reflex cameras are digital cameras that use a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera....
cameras is held by the Tamron 18–270 mm, giving 15×. Some bridge digital camera
Bridge digital camera
Bridge cameras are cameras which fill the niche between the single-lens reflex cameras and the Point-and-shoot camera. They are often comparable in size and weight to the smallest Digital SLRs , but almost all digital bridge cameras lack an optical viewfinder system...
s have even larger zoom ratios up to 36×. For movie and television use, Panavision
Panavision
Panavision is an American motion picture equipment company specializing in cameras and lenses, based in Woodland Hills, California. Formed by Robert Gottschalk as a small partnership to create anamorphic projection lenses during the widescreen boom in the 1950s, Panavision expanded its product...
holds the record with their 300X (7-2100mm, 23-7000mm 35mm equivalent) HD Lens with Compound Zoom Technology.
While superzoom lenses have improved greatly in recent years, they still have a number of drawbacks in comparison with shorter-range zooms and prime lens
Prime lens
In film and photography, a prime lens is either a photographic lens whose focal length is fixed, as opposed to a zoom lens, or it is the primary lens in a combination lens system....
es. Most notable is the much increased likelihood of significant distortions of the image at both extreme ends of the range. Other potential problems include smaller maximum aperture
Aperture
In optics, an aperture is a hole or an opening through which light travels. More specifically, the aperture of an optical system is the opening that determines the cone angle of a bundle of rays that come to a focus in the image plane. The aperture determines how collimated the admitted rays are,...
and poorer autofocus
Autofocus
An autofocus optical system uses a sensor, a control system and a motor to focus fully automatic or on a manually selected point or area. An electronic rangefinder has a display instead of the motor; the adjustment of the optical system has to be done manually until indication...
performance, although this is solved with the Nikon 1
Nikon 1 series
The Nikon 1 series are high-speed mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. Announced on 21 September 2011, Nikon claims that it is "Nikon's most significant announcement since we introduced our first digital camera 14 years ago"...
Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD-Zoom with quiet ultra-fast Voice Coil
Voice coil
A voice coil is the coil of wire attached to the apex of a loudspeaker cone. It provides the motive force to the cone by the reaction of a magnetic field to the current passing through it...
motor (VCM) driving an low-mass internal focusing system.
History and development
Voigtländer
Voigtländer is an optical company founded by Johann Christoph Voigtländer in Vienna in 1756 and is thus the oldest name in cameras. It produced the Petzval photographic lens in 1840, and the world's first all-metal daguerrotype camera in 1841, also bringing out plate cameras shortly afterwards...
in 1959 (Voigtländer ZOOMAR 1:2,8/36–82 mm). It was in fact designed by an independent lensmaker Zommar from Long Island, New York.
That same year Nikon introduced a Nikkor an 85–250 mm/1:4.0-4.5 for the new Nikon F.
The first zoom affordable for amateurs was the Vivitar series I 1:3.5/70–210 mm of 1973 with at that time a breathtaking focal length range. Further superzoom was a 100–500 mm/1:8 Rokkor from Minolta and a 360-1200/1:11 Nikkor from 1976.
1980 brought Tokina a wide angle - to zoom with the likewise enormous focal length range of 1:4.0/28–85 mm on the market. Only two years later Tokina presented then first superzoom shot after the today's understanding, it also covered a focal length spectrum from 35–200 mm (1982).
The focal length range was again increased 1985, when Kiron presented the first zoom lens with a focal length range of 28–210 mm.
Models
Following is a list of superzoom lenses, used for 135135 film
The term 135 was introduced by Kodak in 1934 as a designation for cartridge film wide, specifically for still photography. It quickly grew in popularity, surpassing 120 film by the late 1960s to become the most popular photographic film format...
format in SLR
Single-lens reflex camera
A single-lens reflex camera is a camera that typically uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system that permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly...
s or for APS
Advanced Photo System
Advanced Photo System is a film format for still photography first produced in 1996. It was marketed by Eastman Kodak under the brand name Advantix, by FujiFilm under the name Nexia, by AgfaPhoto under the name Futura and by Konica as Centuria.- Design :The film is 24 mm wide, and has three...
format in DSLRs. The minimal factor used here is more than 5×. A 28–200 mm have a 75° to 12.3° angle of view, a 28–300 mm (or an 18–200 mm for an APS DSLR) have 75° to 8.2°. Between parenthesis are the Photodo rating, if any.
CanonCanon Inc.is a Japanese multinational corporation that specialises in the manufacture of imaging and optical products, including cameras, camcorders, photocopiers, steppers and computer printers. Its headquarters are located in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan.-Origins:...
- EF-S 17–85 mm f/4–5.6 IS USMCanon EF-S 17-85mm lensThe Canon EF-S 17–85mm 4-5.6 IS USM is a standard zoom lens for Canon digital single-lens reflex cameras with an EF-S lens mount. The EF-S designation means it can only be used on EOS cameras with an APS-C sensor released after 2003. The field of view has a 35 mm equivalent focal length of...
, 17 elements in 12 groups, 6 diaphragm blades, f/22–32 min, 35 cm close focus, 1:5 magnification, 67 mm filter, ø78.5×92 mm, 475 g - EF-S 18-200/3.5-5.6 ISCanon EF-S 18-200mm lensThe Canon EF-S 18-200mm lens is a superzoom lens, manufactured by Canon. It is the higher end kit lens for the Canon EOS 60D digital camera, and supplants the previous EF-S 17-85mm, in Canon's product line-up, losing 1mm off the wide end, but offering a roughly 2.5x longer telephoto end.While Canon...
, 16 elements in 12 groups, 6 diaphragm blades, f/22-36 min, 45 cm close focus, 1:4.2 magnification, 72 mm filter, ø79×102 mm, 600 g - EF 28-200/3.5-5.6 USM, 16 elements in 12 groups, 6 diaphragm blades, ultrasonic autofocus (non-USM version is available outside Japan), f/22-36 min, 45 cm close focus, 1:3.6 magnification, 72 mm filter, ø78.4×89.6 mm, 500 g
- EF 28-300/3.5-5.6L IS USMCanon EF 28-300mm lensThe EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM lens is a superzoom lens made by Canon Inc.This lens has an EF type mount, that fits the Canon EOS line of cameras....
, 23 elements in 16 groups, 8 circular diaphragm blades, f/22-40 min, 70 cm close focus distance, 1:3.3 magnification, Ring USM AF, Image Stabilisation, 77 mm filter, ø92×184 mm, 1,670g - EF 35-350/3.5-5.6L USMCanon EF 35-350mm lensThe EF 35-350mm f/3.5-5.6L USM lens is a discontinued telephoto zoom lens manufactured by Canon.This lens has an EF type mount, that fits the Canon EOS line of cameras. It was introduced in January 1993. Featuring the highest magnification of any interchangeable SLR lens at the time, the lens was...
, 21 elements in 15 groups, 8 diaphragm Blades, ultrasonic autofocus, f/22-32 min, 60 cm close focus, 1:4 magnification, 72 mm filter, ø85×167.4 mm, 1385 g, Discontinued
CosinaCosinais a designer and manufacturer of cameras and lenses, and a glassmaker, based in Nakano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan.-History:Cosina is the successor to Nikō , a company set up as a manufacturer oflenses in 1959...
also sold under Phoenix Corporation brand
- 28-210/4.2-6.5 IF Aspherical (2.4), 15 elements in 13 groups, 7 blades diaphragm, f/22 min, 50 cm close focus, 1:6.8 magnification, 67 mm filter, 395 g, Ø72×92,5 mm, replaced the older 28-210/3,5-5,6 (2.1)
- 28-300/4.0-6.3 (1.6), 17 elements in 15 groups, 77 mm filter, 1.9 m close focus, multicoated lenses, 570 g, f/16 min, 1:5.5 magnification, Ø82×122 mm, sliding zoom
Minolta AFMinolta AFThe Minolta Alpha camera system was a collection of photographic equipment from Minolta. The system used a lens mount called A-mount, with a flange focal distance 44.50 mm. The new mount was larger than the older SR-mount making old manual lenses incompatible with the new system...
- Minolta AF DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3Minolta AF DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 lensOriginally produced by Minolta, and currently produced by Sony, the 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 is compatible with cameras using the Minolta AF and Sony α lens mounts.-External links:*...
13 groups / 15 elements, 1:4.2 magnification.
NikkorNikkorNikkor is the brand of lenses produced by Nikon Corporation, including camera lenses for the Nikon F-mount.thumb|right|Nikko parent company brand, from which the Nikkor brand evolved....
- AF-S DX 18-135 mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, 15 elements including one ED glass and two aspherical in 13 groups, 7 rounded diaphragm blades, f/22-38 min, 45 cm close focus, 1:4.1 magnification, 385 g, ø73.5×86.5 mm, 67 mm filters
- AF-S DX VR 18-200/3.5-5.6G IF-ED VR II, 16 elements including two ED glass three aspherical in 12 groups, super integrated coating, enhanced vibration reduction, silent wave motor AF, 7 rounded diaphragm blades, f/22-36 min, 50 cm close focus, 1:4.5 magnification, 72 mm filters, ø77×96.5 mm, 565 g
- AF-S VR 24-120/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, 15 elements in 13 groups, 7 diaphragm blades, f/22 min, 50 cm close focus, 1:4.8 magnification, 72 mm filters, ø77×94 mm, 575 g; launched january 2003, supersedes the AF 24-120/3.5-5.6D IF
- 28-200/3,5-5,6D IF (2.6) launched in March 1998, 16 elements in 13 groups, 85 cm close focus, f/22 min, internal focusing, 72 mm filters, ø78×86.5 mm, 555 g
- AF 28-200/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, 12 elements including 3 ED glass and 3 aspherical in 11 groups, 7 rounded diaphragm blades, f/22-36 min, 44 cm close focus, 1:3.2 magnification, 62 mm filters, ø69.5×71 mm, 360 g
- 35-200/3.5-f/4.5s macro, 17 elements in 13 groups, 30 cm close focus, 1:4 magnification, ø70×139 mm, 52 mm filters, 740 g, introduced in 1985, phased out in 1999. See mir.com.my/rb/photography
- 50–300 mm f/4.5, 20 elements in 13 groups, f/22 min, 250 cm close focus, 95 mm filters, ø98mm×292 mm, 2300 g, introduced in 1966, Ai coupling since 1977; replaced by (s) version, ED, 15 elements in 11 groups, f/32 min, 1:6.9 magnification (Ai-S), 95 mm filters, ø98mm×247 mm, 2200 g then 1950 g (Ai-S), introduced 1977, Ai-S version 1982. See mir.com.my/rb/photography
- AF VR 80-400/4.5-5.6D ED, 17 including 3 ED glass elements in 11 groups, Vibration Reduction, 9 diaphragm blades, f/32 min, 230 cm close focus, 1:4.8 magnification, 77 mm filters, ø91×171 mm, 1210 g, 2000 Release
- Nikon 1Nikon 1 seriesThe Nikon 1 series are high-speed mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. Announced on 21 September 2011, Nikon claims that it is "Nikon's most significant announcement since we introduced our first digital camera 14 years ago"...
Nikkor VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD-Zoom integrates an unseen amount of technologies: 21 elements in 14 groups including 1 High Refractive Index (HRI), 3 Extra-low DispersionLow dispersion glassLow dispersion glass is a type of glass with low dispersion. Crown glass is an example of a relatively inexpensive low-dispersion glass....
(ED) and 2 aspherical lenses, Super Integrated Coating (SIC), internal focusing (IF) with quiet ultra-fast Voice CoilVoice coilA voice coil is the coil of wire attached to the apex of a loudspeaker cone. It provides the motive force to the cone by the reaction of a magnetic field to the current passing through it...
motor (VCM), silent 3-speed PD-Zoom, Vibration Reduction (VR II), retractable lens mechanism and 7 rounded diaphragm blades. Together with the Canon EF 28-300mm lensCanon EF 28-300mm lensThe EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM lens is a superzoom lens made by Canon Inc.This lens has an EF type mount, that fits the Canon EOS line of cameras....
it is the only current superzoom with 20 elements or more.
Olympus CorporationOlympus Corporationis a Japan-based manufacturer of optics and reprography products. Olympus was established on 12 October 1919, initially specializing in microscope and thermometer businesses. Its global headquarters are in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, while its USA operations are based in Center Valley, Pennsylvania,...
- 18-180/3.5-6.3 Zuiko digital ED, 15 elements in 13 groups, 45 cm close focus, 7 blades diaphragm, 1:4,3 magnification, 62 mm filters, Ø78×84.5 mm, 435 g
PentaxPentaxPentax is a brand name used by Hoya Corporation for its medical-related products & services and Pentax Ricoh Imaging Company for cameras, sport optics , etc. Hoya purchased and merged with the Japanese optics company on March 31, 2008. Hoya's Pentax imaging business was sold to Ricoh Company, Ltd...
- 18-135mm SMC-DA F3.5-5.6 ED AL (IF) DC WR, 13 elements in 11 groups, 7 blades diaphragm, 62mm filter, 429g
- 18-250mm SMC-DA F3.5-6.3 AL ED (IF), 16 elements in 13 groups, 7 blades diaphragm, 62mm filter, 455g
- 28-200mm SMC-FA F3.8-5.6 AL (IF), 16 elements in 14 groups, 6 blades diaphragm, 72mm filter, 465g
- 55-300mm SMC-DA F4-5.8 ED, 12 elements in 8 groups, 6 blades diaphragm, 58mm filter, 442g
Sigma CorporationSigma Corporationis a Japanese company founded in 1961, manufacturing cameras, lenses, flashes and other photographic accessories. All Sigma products are produced in the company's own Aizu factory in Bandai, Fukushima, Japan...
- 18-125/3.5-5.6 DC, 15 elements in 14 groups, 7 diaphragm blades, f/22 min, 50 cm close focus, 1:5.3 magnification, 62 mm filters, ø70×77.7 mm, 385 g
- 18-200/3.5-6.3 DC, 15 elements in 13 groups, 7 diaphragm blades, f/22 min, 45 cm close focus, 1:4.4 magnification, 62 mm filters, ø70×78.1 mm, 405 g
- 18-200/3.5-6.3 DC OS, 18 Elements in 13 Groups, 7 diaphragm blades, f/22 min, 45 cm close focus, 1:3.9 magnification, 72 mm filters, ø79×100 mm, 610 g. In January 2009 Sigma announced a new version of this lens extending the range to 18-250
- 24-135 mm F2.8-4.5, 16 elements in 15 groups, 9 diaphragm blades, f/32 min, 50 cm close focus, 1:4.5 magnification, 77 mm filters, ø83.6×93.4 mm, 535 g
- 28-200/3.5-5.6 DG Macro 16 elements in 14 groups, 8 blades diaphragm, f/22 min, 48 cm close focus, 1:3.8 magnification, 62 mm filter, ø70×77.7 mm, 400 g, replacing the 28-200/3,8-5,6 Aspherical UC and the 28-200/3,5-5,6 Asph. Hyperzoom (2.7)
- 28-300/3.5-6.3 DG Macro, 15 elements in 13 groups, 8 diaphragm blades, f/22 min, 50 cm close focus, 1:3 magnification, 62 mm filter, ø74×86 mm, 490 g, replacing the 28-300/3,5-5,6 DL (2.7)
- 80-400/4.5-5.6 EX DG OS, 20 elements in 14 groups, 9 blades diaphragm, f/32 min, 180 cm close focus, 1:5 magnification, 77 mm filters, ø95×192 mm, 1750 g
- APO 50-500/4-6.3 EX DG /HSM, 20 elements in 16 groups, 9 diaphragm blades, f/22 min, 100–300 cm close focus, 1:5.2 magnification, 86 mm filters, ø95×218.5 mm, 1840 g. This large and heavy lens has earned the nickname "Bigma".
SonySony, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
- SAL-18250 18-250mm DT Lens http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=1004862&navigationPath=32090n100269n100355, f/3.5-6.3 aperture,3 Apheric Elements, ED (Extra- low Dispersion) Glass, 16 elements in 13 groups, Max magnification of 0.29,Circular Apperture(7 Blades), Angle of View(APS-C) 76.6ﾟ-30ﾟ, Filter Diameter: 62mm
- SAL-18200 18-200mm DT Lens http://www.sony.co.uk/product/ddl-zoom-lenses/sal-18200/tab/overview#pageType=TechnicalSpecs, f/3.5-6.3 aperture, ED (Extra-low Dispersion Glass), 15 elements in 13 groups, Max magnification of 0.27, Circular Aperture(7 Blades), Angle of View(APS-C) 76ﾟ-8ﾟ, Filter Diameter: 62mm
TamronTamronis a Japanese company manufacturing photographic lenses, optical components and commercial/industrial-use optics. Tamron Headquarters is located in Saitama City in the Saitama Prefecture of Japan....
- AF 18-200/3.5-6.3 XR Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro (Model A14), 15 elements in 13 groups, 45 cm close focus, 1:3.7 magnification, 62 mm filter, ø73.8×83.7 mm, 398 g, 7 blades diaphragm, f/22 min
- AF 18-250 mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro (model A18), f/22 min, 7 blades diaphragm, 16 elements in 13 groups, 45 cm close focus, 1:3.5 magnification, 62 mm filter, ø74.4×84.3 mm, 430 g
- AF 18-270 mm Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) Macro (model B003), f/22min, 7 blades diaphragm, 18 elements in 13 groups, 49 cm close focus, 1:3.5 magnification, 72 mm filter, ø79.6×101.0 mm, 550 g
- SP AF 24-135/3.5-5.6 AD Aspherical [IF] Macro (Model 190D), 14 elements in 10 groups, 7 blades diaphragm, f/22 min, 0.4 m close focus, 1:3.3 magnification, 72 mm filter, 530 g, ø78.5×80.6 mm
- AF 28-200/3.8-5.6 Super Zoom XR Aspherical (IF) Macro (Model A03) 15 elements in 14 groups, 7 blades diaphragm, f/22 min, 0.49 m close focus, 1:4 magnification, 62 mm filter, 354 g, ø71×75.2 mm; replaced the 28-200/3,8-5,6 LD (IF) Aspherical Super (2.7)
- AF 28-300 mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro (Model A061), 15 elements in 13 groups, 0.49 m close focus, 1:2.9 magnification, 62 mm filter, ø73×83.7 mm, 420 g, 9 blades diaphragm, f/22 min; replaced the 28-300/3,5-6,3 LD Aspherical (IF) (2.6)
TokinaTokinais a Japanese manufacturer of photographic lenses and CCTV security equipment.-History:Tokina, become a partner of Pentax, division of Hoya Corporation and jointly developed some lenses. These will be available under the Pentax and Schneider Kreuznach D-Xenon and D-Xenogon brands in Pentax K mount...
- 17-135/3.5-5.6 DX
- 24-200/3.5-5.6 AT-X 242 AF, 15 elements in 13 groups including two aspherical and two SD glass, multi-layer coatings, internal focusing, rotary zoom, 6 blades diaphragm, f/22 min, 80 cm close focus, 1:5.97 magnification, 72 mm filter, ø81.8×89 mm, 690 g
- 28-200/3.5-5.3 SZ-X 282 MF, f/22 min, 15 elements in 12 groups, 135 cm close focus, 1:5.5 magnification, 72 mm filter, ø74×109 mm, 690 g
- 35-200/4-5,6 (2.5), the first trans-standard superzoom launched in 1982.
- 35-300/4,5-6,7 (0.3)
- 80-400/4.5-5.6 AT-X840 AF D, 16 elements in 10 groups including one SD glass, f/32 min, multi-layer coatings, 250 cm close focus, 1:5.4 magnification, rotary zoom, 8 diaphragm blades, 72 mm filters, ø77.2×136.5, 1020 g, replacing the previous AT-X 840 AF-II