Superzoom

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This article is about lenses for single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras. For non-SLR digital cameras with large focal length zoom lenses, see Bridge digital camera.

The term hyperzoom or superzoom is used to advertise photographic zoom lenses with unconventionally large focal length factors, typically more than 4× and ranging up to 15×, e.g., 35 mm to 350 mm. The largest ratio for digital SLR cameras is held by the Tamron 18–250 mm, giving 13.9×.^[1] Some compact digital cameras have even larger zoom ratios up to 18x.^[2] For movie and television use, Panavision holds the record with their 300X HD Lens.^[3]

While superzoom lenses have improved greatly in recent years, they still have a number of drawbacks in comparison with shorter-range zooms and prime lenses. 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.^[4]

Following is a list of such zooms, used for 135 format in SLRs 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.

1 History and development
2 Models
3 References

[edit] History and development

Sigma Superzoom 18-200mm/3.5-6.3 DC Lens attached to the Canon EOS 400D.

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.

[edit] Models

[edit] Canon

EF-S 17–85 mm f/4–5.6 IS USM, 17 elements in 12 groups, 6 diaphragm blades, f/22–32 min, 35 cm close focus, 1:5 magnification, 67 mm filter, ø78.5×92mm, 475 g
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, ø78.4×89.6mm, 500 g
28-300/3.5-5.6L IS USM, 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, ø92×184mm, 1,670g
35-350/3.5-5.6L USM, 21 elements in 15 groups, 8 diaphragm Blades, ultrasonic autofocus, f/22-32 min, 60 cm close focus, 1:4 magnification, 72 mm filter, ø85×167.4mm, 1385 g, introduced 1993

[edit] Cosina

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

[edit] Kiron

28-210/3.8-5.6 1:4 magnification, 72 mm filter

[edit] Olympus Corporation

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, Ø78×84.5mm, 435 g

[edit] Nikkor

AF-S DX 18-135mm 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, ø73.5×86.5mm, 67 mm filters
AF-S DX VR 18-200/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, 16 elements including two ED glass three aspherical in 12 groups, 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, ø77×96.5mm, 560 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, ø77×94mm, 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, ø78×86.5mm, 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, ø69.5×71mm, 360 g
35-200/3.5-f/4.5s macro, 17 elements in 13 groups, 30 cm close focus, 1:4 magnification, ø70×139mm, 52 mm filters, 740 g, introduced in 1985, phased out in 1999. See mir.com.my/rb/photography
50-300mm f/4.5, 20 elements in 13 groups, f/22 min, 250 cm close focus, 95 mm filters, ø98mm×292mm, 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×247mm, 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, ø91×171mm, 1210 g, 2000 Release

[edit] Pentax

28-200/3.8-5.6, a rebranded Tamron model.^[5]
DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3ED AL, f/22-45 min, 7 blades diaphragm, 16 elements in 13 groups, 45 cm close focus, 1:3.6 magnification, 62 mm filter, ø75×85.5mm, 455 g (the specifications are very close to the Tamron model)

[edit] Sigma Corporation

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, ø70×77.7mm, 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, ø70×78.1mm, 405 g. An OS optically stabilized version was announced at the 2006 photokina show.
24-135mm 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, ø83.6×93.4mm, 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, ø95×192mm, 1750 g
APO 50-500/4-6.3 EX DG /HSM, 20 elements in 16 groups, 9 diaphragm blades, f/22 min, 100-300cm close focus, 1:5.2 magnification, 86 mm filters, ø95×218.5mm, 1840 g

[edit] Tamron

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 AF 18-250mm 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, ø74.4×84.3mm, 430 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)

[edit] Tokina

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, ø74×109mm, 690 g
35-200/4-5,6 (2.5), the first trans-standard superzoom launched in 1982.^[6]
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