which camera for soccer/landscapes??

[mainemom]

Need help deciding which camera to get. I need a long zoom, $500 or less, at least 3mp, and I need to get it soon. I currently have a c-4000 but I need more zoom. I want to take pictures of my boys' playing soccer (varsity and travel--very fast action). I also like taking landscape/nature shots. I prefer point and shoot type simplicity and I don't care about video. Help me please!!!

Thanks in advance!

[purplesocklady]

I'm WOWED by the Canon Powershot s2. I just got mine yesterday. It's 12x optical and 5MP is great. I love that I can add conversion lenses, and an aux. flash. The auto features are great, but I can take control when I want. I paid $499. Amazon lists it for $474, but it isn't in stock. So I bought locally. Just couldn't wait anymore. LOL

[mainemom]

thanks for the quick reply. that's one I've been thinking of but I don't know if it's available anywhere locally yet. I'll need to take a roadtrip to Portland to see what's there but I do want to narrow my choices a bit first.

[SIX SPEED]

Kodak z740

Here is a review for it:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/kodak/z740-review/

Here is some pics:

http://www.digital-photography-resource.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=658

Just a tought....... i'm planning to buy it today.... since I see the pics are way nice......

[PhilR.]

The 10x Kodaks would be a good choice, and you will most likely not have a problem finding them. Even our local Wal-mart has them. You might also look at the reviews for the following, all of which have an automatic mode for point/shoot simplicity:
Fuji 5100
Olympus 765
Minolta Z2/3/5
Panasonic FZ series
Canon S1/S2

Several of the above will have image stabilization (IS), which won't be necessary for action shots. If however your nature shots will be taken in lower light situations, then you might consider a camera that has IS. My preference would be the Panasonic FZ5, but the Canon's are quite good as well.

PhilR.

[mainemom]

:) Thanks for your help. I went to Portland yesterday and decided on the Panasonic FZ5. The Canon S2, while very nice, was awkward to hold. The handgrip was just a bit big for my hand. The Sony H1 actually "felt" the best but I had no interest in that camera. The FZ5 seemed the best fit for my hands and my needs.