Check out the Panasonic TZ1. It has 10X optical zoom, image stabilization, and outstanding image quality due to its Leica lens.

I just got one last week, and it's incredible. Not very big either. Fits in my pocket.

 

Nikon is ok in terms of ease of use, but I haven't been impressed with their photo quality.

I'd recommend Canon.

 

I'll check it out.

 

The newer FUJI 5200s have 10x Optical zoom. You are right that 3x optical just won't cut it. Don't be fooled by larger zoom numbers that are digital zooms. The only zoom that counts is optical.

A faster ISO doesn't result in grainier pictures, so as you'd notice. I know that if you blow up to superbig the best is long and slow, but what can you shoot that way?

I have some of my pics blown up to 11x16 with no apparent grain.

Everyone I see that is dissatisfied with their digitial cam is dissatisfied because of the blurry pics due to slow ISOs and slow recovery time before you can take the next one.

With the 5200 you can take a super quick series of 5 pics with one click. Also recovery time is very fast on regular shots as well.

 

Get the Canon S2 IS. It has great Image Stabilization, 5mp, 12x Zoom (that's right.....12x) plus 4x Digital Zoom, for a total of 48X zoom baby! They are dirt cheap right now, so get it while you can. I have one by the way......

 

I really am leaning towards the H1 now, since reading this site ( http://aakatz.com/h1whitepaper/ ) the guy almost has me sold. My chief downsides are all my SD memory and a collection of Canon lenses from my SLR. I'll have to look at that Canon S2 IS too now.

My 5200 is great - fast and good quality pics, but a little old and no 10x optical zoom.

 

The Canon also has unlimted burst mode, while the Sony has a 9 image limit...

 

No the 5200 is brand new and does have the 10X.

If you are finding ones with less than 10x and no 1600 then you are finding old models. I have had mine for almost a year now.


And if you find a camera with image stabilization that's proof the cameras shoots at too low a speed

 

My Nikon Cooppix 5200 is almost a three year old design, and I don't think any Coolpix series cameras have greater that 3x optical. What 5200 are you referring to?

Maybe, but sometimes you want to shoot at a low speed!

 

Well, I think the Canon is the better camera - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_po..._dsch1&show=all

After playing with both models today, the Canon is a bit easier to use for some things I like, and has a better feature set, and takes my SD cards.

Anyone have a best place to buy?

Lowest I've seen is $265 - http://www.royalcamera.com/canonpss2is.html

Lowest at a place i trust is $320 - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...u=381966&is=REG