This camera gets good rating from the reviewers and the owners.

Image Stabilization is a desirable feature, but it will add about $150 to the price of the camera.
The Kodak P850 is 12X and has image stabilization.

Do you have to have image stabilization.....no.

When you use a 10X zoom setting, any camera movement is amplified 10 times. Meaning you are likely to get a blurred photos, unless you make sure that the camera does not move.

The less zoom you use, the less likely that the photo will get blurred due to camera movement.

I used a hand held 10X (no image stabilization) camera for taking photos at a go-cart race. Instead of using the LCD to frame the subjects, I used the viewfinder. By holding the camera to you eye (and head) you can hold it steadier. Your head is steadier that two outstreatched arms.

I also leaned by shoulder against a post to further steady myself. I got excellent results even when the camera was set to 10X zoom.

Image stabilization will reduce the likelyhood of getting a blurred photo. But your still can get blurred shots at the longer zooms when hand holding the camera.

Of course....a tripod is the perfect solution.
But not many people want to lug a tripod around.

.......

According to one review I saw......they stated "good battery life".

...
..
.