what digital camera to buy

Ive used the search function, and was not satisfied, so help me if im missing it please. Im looking for a digital camera with huge zoom and optical clarity. Id also like to be able to shoot sequence shots when you hold down the shutter, and have the camera not go blurry when taking pictures of moving targets(skiers). Hopefully the camera is durable and able to take clear pics from very far away(like opposing ridges), and doesnt do badly in the bright high altitude sun.
I was looking at the panasonic lumix DMC FZ30 with 12x optical zoom and 8 MP, but it got mixed reviews from amazon(but is only $425 from some websites) . Anyone have experience with this? Im not worried about the size or weight, i just want good pics. Thanks for any help.

Your best bet it to take a photography class. Then, you can pretty much milk any camera for all it's worth. I've seen people take shit photos with a 7 megapixel digital SLR with quality glass, and others take magazine quality photos with a cheap point and shoot that features manual control of shutter speed and aperture, and so-so glass. Knowing is half the battle, like Duke said.

That's prob not what you want to hear though, eh? I've been sporting the Canon A80 for a few years. It's bomber tough, but the glass is so-so. I really like the manual control though, and you can take 5 sequence shots in Actions mode, but the interval could be shorter. The body is a bit on the stout side, not ideal for packing in your jacket pocket. I've seen some at Costco that fit the bill, and their return policy can't be beat. That's my $.01

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Originally Posted by couloirman

Ive used the search function, and was not satisfied, so help me if im missing it please. Im looking for a digital camera with huge zoom and optical clarity. Id also like to be able to shoot sequence shots when you hold down the shutter, and have the camera not go blurry when taking pictures of moving targets(skiers). Hopefully the camera is durable and able to take clear pics from very far away(like opposing ridges), and doesnt do badly in the bright high altitude sun.
I was looking at the panasonic lumix DMC FZ30 with 12x optical zoom and 8 MP, but it got mixed reviews from amazon(but is only $425 from some websites) . Anyone have experience with this? Im not worried about the size or weight, i just want good pics. Thanks for any help.

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Better review site

Edit:

Pics taken with Panasonic Lumix (2MP version) - A
Set B

I use the nikon s1, has 5.1 megapixel and is slightly bigger than a credit card so it fits in the breast pocket of my jacket...takes great photos and because of it's size I actually use it more than I did my old one which I found cumbersome in my pockets

upon further research, i think im going with the canon D20, i found it for not too expensive. Finally ill be able to bring you guys some TRs too.

Exposure control on non-SLRs is sub-optimal. I did climbing photography for years with a Nikon 8008 (35mm). A few years back I began shooting mostly w/ a Canon S40. Great camera in perfect lighting situations. I dip and dunked it in the Owens River this past summer while fly fishing (forgot it was in my vest). To replace it, I am not considering anything other than a digital SLR. The downside to an SLR is form factor (size). Aside from the bulk, many of today's digital SLRs are very light compared to their 35mm brethren. If flawless images is what you are after, SLR is the way to go. If size and weight are your primary concerns, SLRs are NOT the way to go. Canon is the way to go for digital non-SLRs. If you are looking for an SLR, I believe there are two reasonable choices (balancing cost and features), Nikon D70 or the Canon EOS 350D. They both are really good cameras. The Canon is 8MP...the Nikon is 6MP. The website that mcwop recommended has a wealth of info. Good luck.

Casio EX-Z750
http://www.casio.com/products/Camera..._Zoom/EX-Z750/

Won lots of rating tests, good controls, excellent digital camera

what cases do you DSLR users have to protect the camera while skiing? Does anyone have an aluminum hard case, or just use the soft shell ones?

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Originally Posted by couloirman

what cases do you DSLR users have to protect the camera while skiing? Does anyone have an aluminum hard case, or just use the soft shell ones?

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lots of both on eBay

just type in name of camera + case

soft shell with padding works the best

panasonic FZ5. this one's a beauty!