Hey, I was wondering which Camera would meet these specifications?

Capture audio-video
Can zoom during capturing the videos
8mp - 10.1mp
$400 - $1,000
>4x Optical Zooming
Great for close up shots of laser pointer, the dragon case for the laser pointer ( The zooming should show all details on it ), flowers, birds, whatever else.

I was thinking of this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GHTGES/ref=noref/002-8539280-4532061?ie=UTF8

Anyone have any suggestions?
I'm not very familiar with lens for cameras, so please don't suggest cameras that need lens buying :p

Thanks!
Swift

for your particular requirements, that would be your best bet or if your feeling flush you can get the Leica equivalent which is essentially the same camera but with different software.

Is there a price difference?

Could you link me to the Leica camera you're talking about? I went to their website, they have a lot of Leica cameras.

quite a hefty price difference - you can find the Leica here. All the consumer Leica digitals have Panasonic equivalents. its a bit like choosing between an audi or a VW. you know they are both the same car under the skin but the audi feels a bit more special :-)

At Adorama.com, the Lumix is $549 whilst the same Leica is $849 - go figure :-)

Yeah, thanks
I don't think it can take videos.

So I'm going to stick with the Panasonic one ;)

the leica is exactly the same - if you download the full specs at the leica site it shows that it does do video capture just the same as the lumix - but frankly, unless your a magpie brand snob you should get the lumix and use the extra cash to buy useful stuff like an external flashgun and some good quality lens filters :-)

Extra cash lol
I'll have more extra cash if I buy the Panasonic :S

EDIT:
I'm sorry, I mixed up the Lumix with the Leica

Yeah, I'm buying the Lumix ;) I guess I'll buy some lens too, if they don't cost as much...

Actually, I might just buy this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-LX2K-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B000GHULTM/sr=1-9/qid=1163255267/ref=sr_1_9/002-8539280-4532061?ie=UTF8&s=photo

you'd be far better off with your first choice and as you said - but extra bits like an external flashgun and/or a decent tripod.

definately a tripod...then a flashgun (b/c i dont even know what a flashgun is). (All the good photos come from tripods IMHO).

Flashgun is Euro'ease for Flashgun

Oh, it's all so clear now. Thanks Keith.

It's really quite simple Noah. A flashgun is a gun that shoots flashes instead of bullets! :-P

OIC. The '-gun' part threw me off.

I might buy the Canon Powershot G7 actually...

And, I already have a tripod.

A friend of mine had a powershot g2 back in the day that it was the latest model. It was very good back then. I would imagine that a new version of it would be very nice as well.

does your tripod say CANON down the leg? ... all of your accessories must match the camera brand or you'll be labeled a newb ... of course, once they all match you'll be labeled a poser

it's a great sense of accomplishment

Where do you come up with this stuff bud? Usually things people say have some basis of truth in them. I can't seem to find the truth anywhere in that statement.

um ... when did we start holding people to that measuring stick? ... I'll have to hire new writers

its not so much holding people to a measuring stick. Its just usually there is some truth so that the connection can be made and your head can think of it. Im surprised you would think of something like that.

um ... it was a JOKE? ...

oh, dear, I forgot the smiley

im not trying to imply its not:P. Im just trying to figure you out:P.

ok .. I'll send you a manual

:o) <------ obligatory smiley

milo, think of keifer as one part mad hatter, one part cheshire cat and one part Stooge (as in larry moe and curly)..that might help..

Hmmm ? I dunno Rob ... think you got the first two parts spot on ... but how about Groucho Marx for the third ... witness the avatar with the schnoz and glasses ....

i'll meet you half way and say part of each....deal?

...... DEAL ! LOL

For all you kids and teens out there, who like photgraphy but arn't quite pros.. I reccomend the NIkon Cool Pix S2 or S3.. It affordable (at around $400) and has all the options you'll need.

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here - but as I always tell anyone asking about buying a new camera (especially a moderately priced digital).

LENS, LENS, LENS, the single most important element of a camera. I think that people get too obsessive about megapixels, bells and whistles.

just my .02 coming from someone who still uses a Pentax K-1000