The camera lens is f3.5 to 6.4. It captures photos at 18 million pixels.
My wife uses this camera and I can say it is pretty good. Cost is about $300.00 (you should be able to find one used for $175 to $200)
The other Sony models that are similar are the HX 90, HX95 and HX99. Each one adds some minor new feature, but all are more expensive
and you will get the same quality photos.
Olympus Stylus 1 – this camera uses a slightly larger sensor (7.5x5.5mm) so the photos are slightly better than the Sony above.
This camera has a view-finder, a 24-300mm zoom and captures photos at 12 million pixels. Another big selling point is that the lens is f2.8
through the entire zoom range. That will help in lower light situations. I used an Olympus camera a few years ago and it was a good camera.
I believe this one would be very good. Cost is about $450.00 (you should be able to find a used one for $350.00).
A newer Stylus 1S is out, but has mostly the same features and sells for more.
Panasonic DC-ZS70 – this camera uses the 6x4.5mm sensor. It has a view-finder and a 24-720mm zoom lens. It captures photos at 20 million
Pixels and the lens is f3.3 to 6.4. At $300.00, it is much like the Sony HX80. If you can find a used one for $200 to $250. I would suggest you
buy it. This is a nice camera.
Panasonic makes a camera with a larger sensor. The ZS200 uses a 13x9mm sensor. This means the sensor is twice as big as the standard
point n’ shoot camera, so the resulting photo quality is much better. The lens is a 24-360mm f3.3 to 6.4 zoom. It captures photos at 20 million
pixels. However, for this quality you will pay - $600.00 new and $500 used.
Nikon P530 is a standard sensor camera (6x4.5mm) that has a view-finder and a 24-1000mm zoom lens. It captures photos at 16 million pixels.
The price is around $350,00 used. The zoom range is incredible. If you like to shoot pictures of birds or other small wildlife, this is the camera
for you. The lens is f3 to 5.9. Good camera, however big enlargements (more than 8x10 inches) will be impossible.
Please remember:
1)The camera you buy should have a view-finder (so it will be more expensive).
A larger sensor is better.