Along with the SZ-12, Olympus is launching just another ultra zoom digital camera – the SP-620UZ. Compare to the SZ-12, the SP-620UZ packs a less powerful lens in a less compact body, and that makes the latter more affordable. The 16 Megapixel shooter gets a 21x optical zoom lens with 25mm wide angle, TruePic III+ image processor, and a 3-inch LCD screen. It is the successor to the SP-610UZ.

Olympus launches a new digital camera, the SZ-31MR iHS with a long-zoom lens and the iHS Technology. In fact, the SZ-31MR looks just like the new SZ-12/SZ-14 but of course it gets more functions and features. With a compact and lightweight body, the camera sports a 24x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens and a 16 Megapixel back-illuminated sensor. The new iHS (Intelligent, High-Sensitivity and High-Speed) technologies are there to deliver “excellent images and videos in the most challenging backlit and low light conditions.” It even offers 48x Super-Resolution Zoom in case you need to get closer to your subject.

Canon introduces two new long-zoom digital cameras, the PowerShot SX260 HS and the PowerShot SX240 HS. Both have a sleek and compact design, yet packs Canon’s 25mm wide angle 20x optical zoom lens with 4-stop optical Image Stabilizer. According to Canon, the new models are its slimmest 20x zoom camera. The SX260 comes with built-in GPS chip for tagging each picture with the local time and location it was taken automatically. The Map Utility software also lets you to view your journey on Google Maps.

Nikon introduces the new CoolPix S9300 and the CoolPix S9200 compact digital cameras as the the successors to the S9100. Though with a slim and compact form factor, both cameras are equipped with a thin 18x optical zoom NIKKOR lens that covers a wide range of angles of view from wide-angle 25 mm to super-telephoto 450 mm.

Following the CoolPix P500 last year, Nikon brings the new CoolPix P510 ultra zoom digital camera in 2012. While its predecessor P500 gets a 36x optical zoom lens, the P510 further the zoom range featuring a 42x optical Zoom-NIKKOR ED glass lens with 24mm wide angle. The camera is equipped with Nikon’s EXPEED C2 digital image processing engine to ensure quality images and videos. It is able to focus as close as 0.4 inches (1cm).

Olympus brings a new compact long-zoom digital camera, the SZ-12 (known as SZ-14 in Europe and Australia) featuring a powerful 24x optical zoom lens with 25mm wide angle that utilizes high performance ED glass (Extra-low Dispersion glass) and Olympus’ double-sided aspherical lens technology. To deliver clear images even in low light, the camera offers the Dual Image Stabilization, combing sensor-shift image stabilization with high ISO sensitivity and fast shutter speeds.

Pentax has just announced in the US its all-new Optio VS20, a long zoom digital camera with a vertical shutter-release button. As the first point-and-shooter digicam to get the a second vertical shutter-release button, its second shutter button comes with zoom lever for effortless portrait oriented shooting. The VS20 is equipped with a 16 Megapixel CCD image sensor, a high-power 20X optical zoom lens and a 3-inch large LCD display.

Other than the new SL-series ultra zoom bridge cameras, FujiFilm has also designed the FinePix S4500, S4400, S4300 and S4200 “for users who want maximum reach without compromising image quality or convenience”. With similar features and form factor, the S-series lacks the dual zoom control for flexible shooting feature and TTL hotshoe found on the SL models. The S4500, S4400, S4300 and S4200 all sport 14 Megapixel CCD image sensor, a 200,000 dots Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) and a 3-inch LCD display. While the SL models use rechargeable Li-ion battery, the S models use 4 AA batteries which is convenient for on-the-go digital camera users.

FujiFilm FinePix T400

FujiFilm has newly announced the FinePix T350 (aka T360) and FinePix T400 entry-level long zoom compact cameras. Both compact cameras are equipped with Fujinon 10x optical zoom and are still thin enough to fit in your jeans or shirt pocket. The T400 sports 16 Megapixel CCD sensor and the T350 has 14 Megapixel sensor. They have a 3-inch LCD display.

FujiFilm introduces SL-series ultra zoom bridge digital cameras that sits between DSLRs and point-and-shoot cameras. All four models, FinePix SL300 (aka SL305), SL280, SL260 and SL240, offer the image quality and versatility of a DSLR combined with the convenience and portability of a compact camera. All four cameras sport 14 Megapixel CCD image sensor and a 3-inch LCD display with 460,000 dots.