- Rollei PowerFlex X8 Compact Camera revealed with double lenses
- One lens is an 8x optical zoom, the other a fixed selfie — lens
- It costs € 299, which converts to about $ 350 / £ 225 / AU $ 535
Rollei PowerFlex X8 was revealed last week, but heading specifications and branding of this cheap double lens-compact is not quite what they seem.
As is the case with other, non-branded, cheap cameras that you can pick up from Amazon, there is a catch with PowerFlex X8’s impressively sounding 64MP set images and 5K video.
Top solution JPEG-Kun still images is achieved through interpolating-this is not a real 64MP camera, but an 8MP with a small 1/2.8-inch sensor. 5K video is also interpolated from 4K / 30p video.
I’m not surprised that the camera is touted as a 64MP / 5K one because the authentic 8MP / 4K specifications sound less impressive.
Without getting too technical to it, the bottom line is that the huge jump in solution is a digital extension from an 8MP sensor, so do not expect the same quality as from a real high resolution camera.
Unlike non-branded cameras available online with similar audio specifications, the PowerFlex X8 has the legendary role-name linked to it. However, this is not a camera from Rollei from yesterday, but a standard cheap compact camera, just with a license for the Rolei name applied to it, just as it was for the completely different role of 35 of Mint.
In justice we cannot expect too much of PowerFlex X8 considering how cheap it is – € 299 converts to about $ 350 / £ 223 / AU $ 535.
The camera packs an 8x optical zoom lens that covers a 38-310 mm zoom range that is more versatile than your phone, although it may be a little tight for wide-angle lovers and which has of/1.8-2.6 max aperture.
There is also a simple selfie camera with F/2.2 aperture, located over the large 3.6-inch IPS touch screen. The pixel number of the smaller sensor it uses (1/3.06-inch) is not mentioned in the specifications, but I have calculated the focal length of the lens to be approx. 24 mm.
The camera body is a light 13.5 OZ / 383G and it has a generous look, plus there is a USB-C connection and a MIC input, while images are recorded on Micro SD card (not delivered).
I haven’t used PowerFlex X8, but I would expect it to feel okay in hand, complete with a decent row of controls and connection. Just don’t have high hopes for the image quality you can get out of it – cameras like PowerFlex X8 promise a lot, but reality is something of a lightdown.
If you are on the market after a low -price compact camera with real image quality designs, I have highlighted three of the best cheap cameras available below. I would also recommend looking at used snapper.
Cheap compact camera alternatives
Dedicated cameras are not exactly cheap these days, but below are three affordable alternatives to PowerFlex V8.
Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99
A respectable Travel-Zoom Pocket Snappet, Lumix ZS99 (which is known as the TZ99 outside the US) packs a 30x optical zoom, a flip-up touch screen and USB-C charging. Like the PowerFlex V8, it has a small sensor at the level of many smartphones, but its 20MP set images are the right deal. That’s about twice the price of the Rollei PowerFlex X8, but twice as versatile and more pocket. If you don’t mind buying used, the older Lumix ZS80 / TZ95, which this model typically replaces, can be at a similar price such as PowerFlex V8, or less from reputable used retailers.
Read our in -depth Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99 Review
With similar specifications such as the Lumix ZS99 / TZ99, the Sony Cyber-Shot HX99 has another solid option purchased used again at a similar price as the new PowerFlex V8. It has a 30x optical zoom with 5-axis stabilization, and unlike the ZS99, it has a practical viewfinder. I have included this because at least in the UK it can be easily found at reputable used dealers.
Read ours Sony Cyber-Shot HX99 Review
Kodak puts ‘super’ in superzoom and makes a range of what is otherwise known as bridge cameras, most of which are available for less than PowerFlex V8. AZ245 is one of the better with 42x optical zoom, 20MP still images and DSLR style handling with a large grip and pop-up flash. Image quality is not much up to much either, but this is an extremely versatile snapper.
