Pentax launches a new compact ultra zoom digital camera, the Optio RZ18 with a powerful 18x optical zoom lens covering focal lengths from 25mm wide angle to 450mm super-telephoto (in the 35mm format). The 16 Megapixel camera comes with a large 3-inch HVGA LCD display.

Nikon introduces a new pocket-able long zoom digital camera, the CoolPix S9100 with 18x optical zoom, which is the successor to the S8100 with 10x zoom. With a compact body, the S9100 packs a 18x zoom NIKKOR ED glass lens with 25mm wide angle, a 12.1-megapixel backside illuminated CMOS sensor and a 3-inch Clear Color LCD display.

Olymous announced a new ultra zoom digital camera, the SZ-10 with a 18x long zoom 28-504mm wide-angle lens. The camera packs a 14 Megapixel image sensor, a 3-inch LCD display. It includes 3 Photo Mode that “captures two shots of a scene from two different angles to create still photos that can be viewed with the added excitement and realism of 3D,” and supports 720p HD video recording.

Samsung introduces an ultra slim digital camera with 24x zoom function, the WB700. The camera, successor to the WB600 and WB650 models, features a 24mm ultra-wide Schneider KREUZNACH lens with 18x optical zoom. With 1.3x Smart Zoom, the 16 Megapixel WB700 offers 24x zoom range. The long zoom camera offers full manual control as well.

FujiFilm introduces a new S-series long zoom digital camera, the Finepix S2800HD (aka S2900HD in some markets) with a Fujinon 28mm Wide-Angle 18x optical zoom lens. This new long-zoom FinePix comes with an electronic viewfinder and a 3-inch LCD display. It records 720p HD video and provides mini HDMI port.

FujiFilm FinePix S2550HD

Alongside the 30x zoom HS10, FujiFilm introduces the FinePix S2550HD (aka S2600HD and previously tipped as S2500HD) and the FinePix S1800 (aka S1880), both have a Fujinon 28mm Wide-Angle lens with 18x optical zoom and a 12 Megapixel CCD sensor.

FujiFilm is going to release a new long zoom camera, the FinePix S2500HD with 18X optical zoom and 28mm wide angle. The camera supports 1280x720p HD …

Panasonic announced the Lumix DMC-FZ35 digital camera that offers 18X zoom, which is the successor of the FZ28. The 12.1 Megapixel FZ35 gets a 18x optical zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with 27mm wide angle.