Big zooms are hotter than ever for 2009, and we snagged image samples from three major zoom pimps. Check out our exclusive preview of the Nikon Coolpix P90, Pentax X70 and Fujifilm FinePix S1500 here.
Camera bodies are shrinking while zoom ratios are mutating, and it seemed as though nearly every manufacturer had some variation of a fairly portable Super or Ultra Zoom compact to showcase at PMA. We're not entirely sure what to call the new breed of optic wonders. Super Ultra Mega Omnipotent Zooms? Either way you slice it, this Super Zoom phenomenon is cursed, and that can be attributed to a glaringly obvious concept flaw. When you reduce the size of a camera, it becomes more difficult to stabilize, while pumping up the zoom ratio requires a heftier camera body with excellent image stabilization in order to reduce full telephoto jitter. Some of the 24x optical zoom cameras we played with were almost as light as traditional boxy point-and-shoots, leading to extreme camera shake at full zoom.
If you're a zoom freak and have the luxury of a tripod at your disposal, then this is not an issue. But we can see how this can pose as a threat to unassuming consumers who drop significant chunks of change on an enticing feature. We took image samples with the Nikon Coolpix P90, Pentax X70 and Fujifilm Finepix S1500 on the show floor in order to provide a dash of insight on what the legit models will most likely bring to the table. These are preproduction models, so we can't make any crystallized assumptions until we get our hands on the official review units.
Nikon Coolpix P90
 There's nothing particularly alluring about the 12-megapixel Nikon Coolpix P90's design until you swing around the back for a glance at the 3-inch multi-angle LCD. Other than that, the camera has clearly modeled last year's Coolpix P80 chassis. In our hands, the Nikon Coolpix P90 felt lighter than it looked, but it would still require a small camera bag. The camera could use a little sprucing up in terms of interface and menus, but we were impressed with the thumb Control dial. Most of the renovations transpire internally, for the Nikon Coolpix P90 flaunts a competitive 24x optical zoom lens and a Continuous shooting mode that allows up to 15fps. It's still saddled with a standard 1/2.33-inch CCD, so we're not expecting a monumental image performance. We shot the following image sample images in Program AE mode at the lowest ISO setting to give the Nikon Coolpix P90 the benefit of the doubt.
Read our full review of the Nikon Coolpix P90 with new image samples
We stopped by the Nikon booth twice to fiddle with the Nikon Coolpix P90, and for the most part we were impressed with what we captured. Detail is sharp as a tack in the first two images, though some classic image aberrations are clearly visible. Take the fringing along the dots on the dice in the macro image, or the slightly jagged edges in the playing cards in the first image. Colors are also a tad neon, rather than naturalistic and vibrant. The third image is fairly noisier and lacks sharpness, but on the whole, this is one of the better performances we've seen from a basic imager.
Pentax X70
 The Pentax X70 was not festooned with ample amounts of external features, but its feathery weight and compact size caught our attention. It also made it particularly difficult to steady the Pentax X70 at a full telephoto, and we found the Sensor Shift Image Stabilization to reduce the jitter only slightly. The Nikon Coolpix P90 holds the edge in terms of LCD, for the Pentax X70 features a 2.7-inch fixed screen. Other than that, both cameras share very similar interfaces, and the Pentax X70 features a handy thumb-operated Control dial as well. But after playing with the Canon PowerShot SX200 IS's menus, the Pentax X70's menu system appeared to have been designed in the early 80's. It's the current Windows DOS of digital imaging LCD navigation. The Pentax X70 has a 12-megapixel 1/2.3-inch sensor, but have no fear. We had great success with the camera while shooting with it at the booth, and the Coolpix P90 just couldn't hold a candle.
Vegas
Vegas Macro
The most surprising theme throughout all of our test shots centered around detail. The Pentax X70 just nails it home, and we are able to see the faint texture of the Las Vegas sign and tiny specks suspended in the plastic martini glass. The focused portion of the first image is superb, but we had a little trouble with the Macro feature. We couldn't get as close as we wanted in the second image, and we can see the top of the red die perfectly, in addition to a small portion of the Las Vegas sign. Colors are very naturalistic and resist oversaturation. The Pentax X70 looks to be a formidable opponent.
Fujifilm FinePix S1500
 Fujifilm's update to the FinePix S1000fd is almost architecturally identical, though it has a few internal feature boosts. The Fujifilm FinePix S1500 is a compact little sucker that packs an impressive optical zoom ratio, though 12x is nothing compared to the latest 24x optical craze. Still, the FinePix S1500 brings Dual Image Stabilization to the forefront, but we still had issues with camera shake at full zoom. Aside from an Auto Scene mode and Tracking Auto Focus, not much has changed, even the 10-megapixel 1/2.3-inch sensor. Fujifilm also needs a menu overhaul, as it took us much longer than necessary to make image adjustments, the same issue we had with the Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD. When we were finally able to drop the ISO down to the lowest setting in Program AE mode, the following images were captured.
Vegas
Vegas Macro
Fujifilm Ceiling
Sharpness was never a problem with all of our sample shots, as we can see in the first two images. However, portions of the images almost seem a little over-sharpened, but that can be adjusted within the camera. Colors pop, but they bleed slightly and varying traces of noise can be detected throughout every image. Also, we can pick up some faint fringing along the edges of the die dots. Still, detail is crisp and excellent in the first two images. The ceiling was a challenge, due to the encroaching beam of light, but the Fujifilm FinePix S1500 handled the contrast very well. Exposure also looks great, and aside from a little noise, the image holds its own.
And the winner is...
We've got our bets placed on the Pentax X70, based on the exceptional image samples we snagged. The Nikon Coolpix P90 rocks the best design out of the lot, but the Fujifilm Finepix S1500's image quality gave the Nikon a run for its money. Official review units are right around the corner, so sit tight for the final results.
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