With the 16 megapixel capability, you still get great pictures even when you have to crop heavily.

Unfortunately the longer lens and move to a 14 megapixel sensor doesn't do the SX30's image quality any favours, especially in low-light, and the official price increase puts it into direct competition with other premium super-zooms, entry-level DSLRs and compact system cameras.

I knew that a super zoom would have a small sensor, it had to, because of the size of the lens.

The image quality will never be as good as a DSLR or a Micro Four Thirds camera such as the Panasonic DMC-GH1 and I would not recommend this camera for professional or fine arts photography, but it would be a convenient and versatile choice under daylight conditions when you want to carry a minimum amount of equipment.

A DSLR would provide more options for wide angle shots, but this camera is perfect for me.

Excellent camera.... The wide angle and zoom are to die for.

For its size, the P510's lens is also respectably fast, with maximum apertures of f/3 at 24mm and f/5.9 at 1000mm.

the F numbers or the F-Stops as they were referred to in the old days, are aperture sizes.

i got this cam recently, no doubt it has amazing zoom capacity and can take great pictures HANDHELD at full zoom.

Being able to shoot 720p high-definition video complete with image stabilisation, stereo sound and the ability to make full use of that incredible 35x zoom is a real attraction and something that no other compact camera can currently match.

And the lens is really the bulk of the weight, which makes the rest of the body feel lightweight and cheaply constructed.

So, If you want a lightweight camera, that has the ability to capture excellent photos, and you like to adjust things, besides having full automatic features.