I have (not digatelem!) Bought 12x zoom Canon PowerShot SX200 mainly because of the optical, and WOW, it's worth it! The built-in image stabilizer and photosensitivity do the rest: despite maximum zoom and no tripod (and restless hand) are without exception all images stunningly sharp. The pictures are a little brighter than actually, but tear after checking with Photoshop not, can be so easily readjust. The much-criticized always open-flash does not actually represents no problem, at least for the battery. A little, perhaps for the handling, you know at first not sure where you can touch and hold. The menu I find something getting used to, as there are various entrances to all the functions provided. The ability reinzuzoomen in a picture taken is not even described, however: simply press the zoom lever! Ok, it is slightly larger and heavier than the conventional bulk, but many professional settings (aperture, etc), and pretty good video camera, together with the 12 Megapixels make the camera almost at a professional part.
