Here are two fantastic cameras that are very good bets in the upper end of that price range. Both of these cameras are consistantly reviewed as being top cameras, and I also went through a very thorough process of elimination this year and ended up buying one for work (the Canon) and another for home (the Panasonic). The zoom on the Panasonic is great, but I also like the features on the Canon. Overall, I like the newer Panasonic slightly better. They sell it in a package at Costco for the high 300s. If I had to add a 3rd suggestion, it would be the Sony mentioned above. Check out these three cameras and you can’t go wrong with any of them.