Best high-end camera for action shots, low light, big zoom?

[CoolRabbit]

Here's what I need - 6+mp, at least a 6x optical zoom (would prefer 8x or greater), quick shutter speed for action shots, good quality low-light shots, and able to take great pics that can be printed out 8x10 or greater. Oh yes, would like to stay under $1,000 if possible! Does this animal exist?

[D70FAN]

Here's what I need - 6+mp, at least a 6x optical zoom (would prefer 8x or greater), quick shutter speed for action shots, good quality low-light shots, and able to take great pics that can be printed out 8x10 or greater. Oh yes, would like to stay under $1,000 if possible! Does this animal exist?

There are 3 choices that meet your needs (almost)...

Good: Canon Digital Rebel (300D) with Sigma 18-125 DC zoom. 6.1MP dSLR with 6.9x zoom ~ $1100. Add a Canon 75-300mm lens for another $180 and the total reach is about 16X.

Better: Nikon D70 with the same lens ~$1300. Add Nikor 70-300 for $150 for the same reach.

Best: Canon 20D with the same lens (s) ~ $1800. This one doesn't come close to your budget, but needs to be included for reference. :)

No all-in-one even comes close. ;)

[Rhys]

Here's what I need - 6+mp, at least a 6x optical zoom (would prefer 8x or greater), quick shutter speed for action shots, good quality low-light shots, and able to take great pics that can be printed out 8x10 or greater. Oh yes, would like to stay under $1,000 if possible! Does this animal exist?

Nikon 5700, Nikon 8700?

[PhilR.]

Oh yes, would like to stay under $1,000 if possible! Does this animal exist?

If you could do with one less mp but want 12x zoom, you could look at the Panasonic FZ20. While I wouldn't consider this camera "high-end", I do think that it will be the one of the most capable cameras you can get if you don't want to go digi-slr. Not only does it have the most powerful zoom (afaik) in a non-slr camera, but it has image stabilisation technology which lets you handhold at speeds lower than other cameras. The lens is also f2.8 across the entire zoom range, which is quite a feat considering it's cost.

The only other camera that I can think of and hasn't been mentioned is the Nikon 8800, which has a slightly slower and very slightly less powerful zoom (10x) that is nonetheless image stabilised. This camera has around 8mp, but is close to double the cost of the FZ20. Although I wouldn't consider this camera to be "high-end" either, it might be the camera that meets your specs the closest.

PhilR.