Optical Zoom

**BigP** · 11th November 2006, 20:42

Hi guys, just a quick one as I know a few of you on here like your photography.
My better half is getting me a camera for Xmas and I found one I like (Canon Ixus I7)
However it only has 2.4x optical zoom and most others for this price have 3x. Is 2.4 ok or should I go for something else?
Has anyone got an Ixus I7? and do they like it?
Cheers
P

**cameraman** · 11th November 2006, 20:46

I would think 2.4 X would be OK for your average snaps, I've never had a bad Canon camera (and I've had loooads, at least 4 digital & 3 film in the house at the minute & countless traded on e-bay), Ixus are usually the smallest of the canon range so no exuse to leave it behind

**BigP** · 11th November 2006, 20:51

Cheers Cameraman, you sound like just the man to have answered my query!
I only really want a fairly decent "point and shoot" and I saw the small size as a real benefit.
Thats Xmas sorted for me then!

Cheers for the super quick reply.
P

**cameraman** · 11th November 2006, 21:24

I've made good quality A3 prints from Canon compacts (from 4mega-pixels upwards), see no reason why the Ixus shouldn't be any different.

**Ozz** · 12th November 2006, 06:38

Depends what sort of shots you plan on taking mate. If you are a fan of taking some reasonably long distance shots a 3x optical zoom is a better friend. Basically the optical zoom is what gives you close up on objects that are far away. Obviously the bigger the optical zoom ability the better. As a approximate example, a 3x optical zoom 'could' be the equivalent of 100-200mm zoom range that is found on SLR & DSLR (or mini DSLR) camera's that are able to interchange lenses.

I have a Fuji Finepix 5600 which is known as a mini DSLR which has 10x optical zoom which equates to approx 300mm zoom ability......I think.

**VectraV6CDTi** · 12th November 2006, 10:10

Here is the spec. Looks like 35mm equivalent is 38 to 90mm.

**BigP** · 12th November 2006, 23:34

Cheers for the replys guys, think this little one will fit my needs perfectly. Just gotta wait another 6 weeks now till I can play with it!

**lborob17** · 13th November 2006, 12:50

hope she is looking in the right place to purchase it for you!

try this for a guide (usually for SLR stuff but will point you in the right direction!)

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/cat9.html