Link : http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/05/superzooms-slim-
down-or-bulk-up.html
Superzooms slim down or bulk up
The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, an example of a bulky superzoom. (Click to enlarge.)"
Some of the new superzoom cameras I reported on earlier this year, which were
shown at CES and PMA, are just starting to show up in stores. All have 20x or more
optical zoom, which is a good thing, but they're pretty chunky for point-and-shoots.
Still, if maximum zoom is your priority, they're the way to go.
On the other hand, if you wouldn't mind sacrificing a little zoom power for smaller
size, you might be interested in some slimmer models that are hitting the market now.
We're testing both types so you can see how they compare and decide which you'd
prefer:
Chunky: These superzooms can have as much as 26x optical zoom, but they're
hefty. They have many buttons and controls, and have some options that few point-
and-shoots have, such as a hot-shoe for attaching an external flash. They also
generally have viewfinders, which can be helpful in bright-light situations when the
LCD gets washed out. They can also be among the priciest point-and-shoots.

A slimmer, lighter superzoom, the Samsung HZ10W. (Click to enlarge.)
Slim: These superzooms generally have either a 10x or 12x optical zoom lens and
come in a form factor that's only slightly larger than most compacts. They're more
portable than the larger models, but often have fewer buttons and controls to change
exposure settings and don't include a viewfinder. Generally, they're cheaper than the
chunkier models.
Check our digital camera Ratings for more details on these and other models. —
Terry Sullivan
For complete Ratings and recommendations on appliances, cars & trucks, electronic
gear, and much more, subscribe today and have access to all of
ConsumerReports.org.