Check out the Steve's Digicams review of Panasonic's new Lumix DMC-FZ20, a 5-megapixel, image stabilization digital camera with a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 12x zoom that reaches 432mm at f2.8. The sensor is a tiny 1/2.7 inch CCD. But for covering outdoor sports, it's an amazing deal at $600.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/fz20.html Paul Stregevsky