The Digital SLR with a good telephoto lens would be around $1,500 (minimum).
I doubt that you want to be carrying around a tripod, so I would suggest that you go with one of the long lens cameras that has image stabilization.
Canon S1 IS
Konica-Minolta Z3
Panasonic FZ20
Panasonic FZ3
Here is a link to a chart that compares their specifications.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_s1is%2Ckonicaminolta_dimagez3%2Cpanasonic_dmcfz20%2Cpanasonic_dmcfz3&show=all
...
I am new to this forum and would like to thank everyone for responding to this question in advance. Your advice is greatly appreciated!
I was looking for a digital camera (digital SLR or digital) that wouldn't cost too much that would be appropriate for a African safari trip (I would probably buy this camera and use it only for this safari trip because I already have a small digital camera I regularly use but only has a 3x optical zoom (4 Megapixel)). I know I need optical zoom (but what is the minimum? 10x sufficient or should I go with a regular SLR or digital SLR with a strong telephoto lense?) and I don't plan on blowing any picture up greater than an 8 x 10 and again this camera would most likely be used only for this trip (once) or where I plan to take close up shots. I guess I would prefer to spend less than $500 unless someone can convince me that I should spend more and have a nicer camera.
Thanks!

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