Action / Sports camera recomendation

[noodletim]

Hi friends, it's time to upgrade cameras. I'm currently using a Canon PS SX130IS but am thinking it's time for more camera. I have been looking at the premium P and S models and possibly an entry level dSLR. I'm planning on using the new camera for sports and action shots a lot...possibly on a small scale professional level.
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Budget $500.00 and less

Size Full size

Features

What optical zoom will you need? 16 or greater

* How important is “image quality” to you? Very important

Do you care for manual exposure modes (shutter priority, aperture priority, manual)? Yes, I want to use manual modes

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for? Sports, action, landscapes

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? Yes

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? No

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? Yes

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? No

Are there particular models you already have in mind? Canon, Nikon

Do you need any of the following special features? Great image stabilization, fast burst mode, great image / video quality, viewfinder w/ diopter

[Andy Stanton]

You have two possible choices, an ultrazoom or a DSLR. The main advantage of an ultrazoom is the versatile zoom lens. The disadvantage is image quality, especially in low light and at the long end of the zoom. The main advantage of a DSLR is low light image quality, the main disadvantage is that to get long zoom ability you'll have to invest in a separate lens, which will add at least $200 to your budget.

If you decide to go with an ultrazoom, I recommend the Sony HX200v (30x zoom), the Canon SX50 HS (50x) or the Nikon P510 (42x), The Sony is the quickest overall and has the best movie mode so it probably meets your needs better than the other two.

[KCook]

More info on the DSLR choices -

Looking for a new DSLR

Kelly Cook