Recommend a 10X Optical Zoom camera and why?

[looneytoone]

I really want to buy an digicam with 10 times optical zoom and not spend over 500 dollars. I doubt that I would print over an 8X10 so 3 Megapixels would be OK. 4 would be better. Any recommendations?

[rhmorrison]

I only found 3 with a 10x zoom, the best being the Minolta Dimage Z1.

[mrkablooey]

http://www.steves-digicams.com
http://www.dpreview.com

[Roosterman]

Here is a link to epinions that has reviews of 36 cameras. From what I have seen and read, you want to get the best glass lens camera for the money. Just magnification won't necessarily get you a good picture. Also, as I understand, mag much more than 6x really need a tripod to keep the image from being fuzzy.

http://www.epinions.com/Digital_Cameras-At_Least_8x_Zoom

Personally, I prefer a camera that allows me to control more things. If I had the money I would go with this one http://www.epinions.com/content_117229784708 It is a 7x optical zoom put has an anti shake feature and allows more manual operation.

[tanalasta]

My first question is why do you want 10x optical zoom? You don't lose out on that much quality using digital zoom in a high quality/resolution camera and it'd be a good deal cheaper than the complicated optical wizardry needed to create a 10x zoom lens. There are also many other options to choose from if you don't require 10x optical zoom :P

http://www.steves-digicams.com
http://www.dpreview.com

These are brilliant digital camera review websites so i'll recommend you look there first for user opinions/reviews. I just bought the Canon A70 for about $300US. :D Just waiting for delivery now...