What is the best megazoom digicam and why?

Question

I am looking for a camera that has at least 12x zoom in the $250 to $300 price range. The Canon S5 pictures look good with a 12x zoom but the Olympus P550 has 18x zoom but the pictures don't look as sharp to me. Should I be looking for the largest zoom or the best pictures? The Sony Cybershot DSC-H7 also looks good with 15x but doesn't have a hot shoe.

Answer 1

Check out the Panasonic DMC-FZ18 .. it has 18X soom plus it has a Leica lens, which is one of the best lenses available.  

Go to http://dpreview.com and compare the different cameras, side by side... read the reviews.  Then go to a real camera store (not Best Buy or Wal Mart) and handle the different cameras, bring your own sd card, and then take card home, and look over the photos on your computer.  Buy the one you feel is best.