Best Camera with High Optical Zoom?

Thanks a bunch guys. So I'm now leaning towards the Panasonic FZ20 for about $500. Can anyone talk me into another camera with high optical zoom that is better? What about a Nikon 8700 or Minolta A1 or A2 or Dimage Z3 or Canon Pro Shot 1?

Without image stabilization, a large optical zoom will in most instances be worthless unless you plan to use a tripod. If you had a larger budget, then you could get a Canon D20 slr for example, which has a low noise iso 3200 mode, which would enable you to use a high telephoto setting without a tripod, especially if you use an image stabilizing lens on it. This image taken with a D20 at iso 3200 is really cool(no, I didn't take it, and I don't own a D20, at least not yet. )

http://www.pbase.com/bret/image/33959925

"Can anyone talk me into another camera with high optical zoom that is better? What about a Nikon 8700 or Minolta A1 or A2 or Dimage Z3 or Canon Pro Shot 1?"

It appears that you are leaving your $500 target and some of these cameras don't have image stabilization.

Bring us up to date on what you are looking for now .... and what you want to use the camera for.

...

Yeah, I may be willing to spend a bit more if it is worth it. My main interests are going to be outdoor scenes, wildlife, sporting events, etc. At this point I am leaning towards the Panasonic FZ20, it seems to have everything I am looking for (12x optical, Leica lense, and image stabilization). I just don't know if there is anything I should be looking for including the actual internal mechanisms? Thanks.

It sounds like you could use a digital slr with a fast(lets plenty of light through) lens. Since your subjects will be moving fast a tripod won't help much,
and you will need to use a fast shutter speed, so image stabilization won't help you much either. You need a camera with a low noise iso 1600 or iso 3200 mode, such as a digital slr. The rule of thumb for photography(without image stabilization) is that the shutter speed should be faster than 1/equivalent 35mm film camera focal length. For example, if you use a lens that is 300mm equivalent, then your shutter speed should be 1/500th of a second or faster. Most lenses don't let much light through at such a focal length(perhaps they are f5.6 or slower?) so you would need a high iso setting to take a photo at 1/500th f 5.6 or f8 except in the brightest daylight.A Digital Rebel or 20D with an 80-200mm f2.8 lens(the camera has a 1.6x factor, so at the 200mm setting on the lens it acts like the equivalent of a 320mm lens)
set at up to 1600 ISO would give you plenty of leeway to take the type of photos you want to take. Most non slr digital cameras only go up to 400 iso, and even at 400 ISO the images are very noisy. Those that have an 800 iso mode are extremely noisy at that setting. My advice to you is to buy a digital slr and some nice lenses. Yes, it will be expensive, but it will allow you to take the type of images you want to take. A Digital Rebel is around $800, while a 20D is around $1600. That is just for the camera body. An 80-200mm f2.8 lens might cost around $900 or so. Then there are memory cards and extra batteries. I don't own a digital slr yet, but am considering buying one. I have been studying the issue, and was waiting for the price of the digital Rebel to drop, but now I like the images on the web that I have seen from the 20D. So I am not so in love with the Digital Rebel anymore.

This guy already knows the answer to his question. He listed every viable alternative. What kind of game is this?

No game bozo, just seeing what people think of each camera and if they prefer one over the others.

For the record though, I bought a Panasonic FZ20.

Hi,
Glad you settled on a camera. It's funny, I too am interested in exactly the same features as you. For me, my camera choices boiled down to the Dimage Z3 or the Panasonic that you purchased. So? How do you like the Panasonic FZ20? Does it meet with all your expectations? Let me know, I'm going to Europe next week and am out to buy the camera in the next few days.

So far so good. I haven't used it much yet, but everything is great, although there is still a bunch to learn. The 12x zoom is incredible, but holding steady is harder than you might you think. First tip, use the viewfinder instead of the screen and use your head as a tripod. Battery life does not seem to be that great, so be sure to get an extra battery (or 2) before you leave.

Years ago, I bought an Olympus 2100uz 2.1 megapixel camera with a 10x optical zoom WITH stabilization. As was mentioned in another posting, Olympus no longer offers this option in a 10x zoom. If I had it to do all over again, I would buy this camera again, today. The 2.1 megapixel camera produces fine photos up to 8x10. The only problem is trying to find one of these cameras. If you can, you should not pay more than $500 and you will be pleased.

I'm joining this forum late, sorry. I bought the Panasonic DMC-FZ10 a few months ago and it is fantastic! 12x optical zoom, 4 Megapixels and image stabilization. I've had almost no trouble with the image shaking at 12x if I use the viewfinder and stand really firmly. It appears that the originator of this forum made the same choice and this camera is now available for well under $500 with lots of after-market add-ons. A great camera!

balata, is there really no modern peer for the oly2100? mine suddenly died which is the main complaint about this camera, and i'm debating having it repaired or buying another camera. one would think that in five years there would be an equivalent.....