- Rollei Powerflex X8 Came Compact Came Double Lesters
- One goal is an 8x optical zoom, the other one fixed selfie objective
- It costs € 299, which converts to around $ 350 / £ 225 / $ 535 at
The Rollei Powerflex X8 was unveiled last week, but the specifications and the brand image of this double -market compact is not entirely what they seem.
As is the case with other unmarked and inexpensive cameras that you can recover from Amazon, there is a socket with fixed images of 64 MP and 5K.
The JPEG fixed images only in resolution are obtained via the interpolation – it is not a real 64 MP camera, but an 8MP camera with a small sensor of 1/2.8 inch. The 5K video is also interpolated from 4K / 30p video.
I am not surprised that the camera is presented as a 64MP / 5K, because the authentic 8MP / 4K specifications seem much less impressive.
Without becoming too technical on this subject, the essential is that the huge resolution jump is a digital enlargement of an 8MP sensor, so do not expect the same quality as in a real high resolution camera.
Unlike unmarked cameras available online with similar survey specifications, the PowerFlex X8 has the name of legendary Rollei attached to it. However, it is not a camera of the Rollei of yesteryear, but a compact inexpensive camera standard, just with the license by the name of Rollei applied, as for the completely different rollei 35af.
In all honesty, we cannot expect PowerFlex X8 too much since it is cheap – € 299 are converting to around $ 350 / £ 223 / $ 535 in.
The camera contains an 8x optical zoom lens which covers a zoom range of 38-310 mm more versatile than that of your phone, although it is a little tight for amateurs with wide angle, and which has a Max AF / 1.8-2.6 opening.
There is also a simple selfie camera with an f / 2.2 opening, nestled above the large 3.6-inch IPS touch screen. The number of pixels in the smaller sensor it uses (1 / 3.06 inches) is not mentioned in the specifications, but I calculated the focal length of the lens at around 24 mm.
The body of the camera is a slight 13.5 OZ / 383g and it has a generous socket, in addition there is a USB-C connectivity and a microphone input, while the images are saved on a micro SD card (not supplied).
I did not use the PowerFlex X8, but I expect it to feel good in hand, with a decent range of commands and connectivity. I simply have no high hope for the image quality that you can remove from it – cameras like the PowerFlex X8 promise, but reality is somehow disappointment.
If you are on the market for a compact camera with low cost with real image quality chops, I highlighted three of the best cheap cameras available below. I would also recommend watching used snappers.
Cheap compact camera alternatives
The dedicated cameras are not exactly cheap these days, but below are three affordable alternatives to the PowerFlex V8.
Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99
A respectable travel traveling living room, the Lumix ZS99 (which is known as the TZ99 outside the United States) contains a 30x optical zoom, a touch screen and a USB-C load. Like the PowerFlex V8, he has a small sensor equally with many smartphones, but his fixed images of 20 Mp are the real deal. It is about double the price of the Rollei Powerflex X8, but twice as versatile and more Pochable. If you don’t mind buying used, the old Lumix ZS80 / TZ95 that this model replaces can generally be obtained for a price similar to the PowerFlex V8, or less renowned second -hand retailers.
Read our in depth Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99 Revue
With specifications similar to the Lumix ZS99 / TZ99, the Sony Cyber-Shot HX99 abandoned is another solid option purchased on used, again at a price similar to the new PowerFlex V8. It has a 30x optical zoom with stabilization at 5 axes, and unlike the ZS99, it has a practical viewfinder. I included it here because, at least in the United Kingdom, it can be easily found in renowned used dealerships.
Read our Sony Cyber-Shot HX99 examination
By putting the “Super” in Superzoom, Kodak makes a range of what is otherwise known as bridge cameras, most of which can be made for less than the PowerFlex V8. AZ245 is one of the best, with a 42x optical zoom, 20MP fixed images and digital reflex style handling, with a large handle and a pop-up flash. The quality of the image is not up to par, but it is an extremely versatile Vivaneau.
