Best ultrazoom camera?

[emilyyy8586]

Budget
Maximum of $500.

Size
Preferably small/lightweight but I don't think ultrazooms are very compact.

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you? 7+

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify) 15X - 18X

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10) VERY. 10.

Do you care for manual controls? Not really because I don't really know how to use them.

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for? Concerts, outdoors, sporting events, etc.

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? No.

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? Yes.

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? Yes.

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? Have an old Olympus Camedia that still takes amazing crystal, clear pictures so I've always liked Olympus. But I'm open to any suggestions.

Are there particular models you already have in mind? Olympus Evolt Series or SP Series. But I'm open to anything.

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD) I guess I'd need IS, and maybe Wide Angle.

I want a camera that takes the best and clearest, sharpest pictures and has a large zoom.

[TheWengler]

The 15x-18x zooms have a similar amount of reach to the 12x zooms. The main difference is the addition of wide angle. Look at the Panasonic FZ18 and the Canon S3 or S5 for outdoor shooting. The Fuji S6000 is better for indoor/low light (no flash) shooting but you don't get image stabilization.

[David Metsky]

If image quality is a "VERY 10" then you should start learning how to use the manual controls. With any camera, but especially ultrazooms, you will only get the best out of the camera by learning how to use the manual controls.

No one camera takes the best/clearest shots in all conditions. The Fuji S6000 will do better in low light without flash then anything else on the market. The Canon S5 or the Pany F18 will be better in bright light. Does movie mode enter into your consideration? The Canon and Fuji have the ability to use zoom while shooting.