The camera I really learned photography on had practically everything: full manual mode; true viewfinder; AA batteries; lcd screen that swiveled every which way etc. But not many pixels and only 3x zoom. I didn't consider zoom very important and in fact there was only one situation when I wished it was more than 3x. When that camera died I wrote my specifications list for my next purchase. I only wrote down 6x zoom because like I said, the 3x zoom only bothered me once.
That, kids, is the way to buy technology. Write down your wish list for specs, write down an overly optimistic price and just wait for it to happen. Then buy. The only camera that met all my specifications only had 20x zoom. Wow, ok, 20x it is... The camera is the Canon PowerShot SX20 IS and I love it.
Here are some pics from San Pedro showing oil rigs that are approximately 14 miles away (ruler on computer monitor). LOVE IT! This was a relatively clear day. Not the clearest but nice. Even though Pedro is a beach town clear days are actually kind of rare between smog, fog and clouds. But when they happen like after a rain or a wind they are spectacular.
This camera better not break down any time soon but I wonder what the zoom of my next camera will be!!! Remember these are 14 miles away.
And some zoomed crops
