If zoom is what you're after, the Nikon is the better choice. A slightly larger aperture helps too.
Which camera do you recommend for Alison-Schmidt?
Panasonic ZS20 - $299
14 MP|20x f/3.3|1/2.5" CMOS|3" LCD
Nikon P510 - $338
15.9 MP|41.7x f/3.0|1/2.5" CMOS|3" LCD
8 Answers
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Intermediate I
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Beginner I
Lighter and smaller, easy to carry, suits traveling.
More photos per change.
Shoots higher definition video, good for recording especially for family activities.
We don't really need so much zoom in practical.
Move nearer and the picture taken will be sharper.
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Visitorover a year ago gorrdHave a Panasonic TZ10 , which is an older model but is a great camera, nice compact size and although its zoom was less than the one you are considering it gave great results - very clear and sharp - took good video too - so I would recommend the Panasonic
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Beginner II
I recommend the Canon SX40HS great with low light and super battery life. -
Intermediate III
Hi Alison, I'd recommend the Panasonic, its a great all around camera, good image quality, good wide angle, and great zoom.
I'd only recommend the P510 if you really need the zoom. I think the ZS20's 20x zoom will be enough even for great safari shots of animals, and I think you'll prefer its much smaller size!
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Expert IIIAccording to Snapsort, the Olympus SP-560 UZ has 18x zoom. So if Alison was happy with her previous length of zoom then 20x should be more than enough.
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Beginner I
Coolpix is amazing I just have sold my coolpix p500 today to my friend for upgrading to DSLR Cam, but its really an amazing cam... u can check out its shots on flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22077611@N07/
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Intermediate III
The size of P510 is more like Olympus 560 UZ.
For more money, Nikon is more capable and in my opinion, has slightly better IQ.
Panasonic is very compact for being 20X zoom. It is in class categorized as "travel zoom", cameras that have compact form factor but still have fairly long reaching zoom lens (14X - 20X).
Nikon P510 is in "mega-zoom" class, usually with zoom ranging 24X -36X and has more DSLR-like type of body style. Some like one type of body style over the other.
Personally, when I travel, I prefer compactness over maximum zoom, where 20X is usually plenty. My personal favorite is Canon SX230HS with 14X zoom, which was reviewed favorably by many in the know. It has recently been replaced by SX260HS.
If you like the chunky body style of P510, I recommend P510, as well as Canon SX40, and Fujifilm HX30EXR.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs20-tz30-review/9
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/02/01/Nikon_Coolpix_P510_P310
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/02/07/Canon_SX260HS_SX240HS
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Intermediate I
the zoom far outweighs all other features. very useful, and not just any camera can give that kind of zoom.
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Intermediate I
Around 4.5x more zoom and more than 2x higher resolution screen
Summary
| 5 |  | Recommendations for Nikon Coolpix P510 |
| 2 |  | Recommendations for Panasonic ZS20 / TZ30 |
| 1 |  | Recommendation for Canon Powershot SX40 |
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