I bought the Nikon P500 this year for $425. It is one of the power zoom cameras and has an optical zoom of 36X and the image stabilizer built right into it. I turn the digital part off and only use the optical, because like you, I am just starting out and haven't bought a tripod yet and still learning. I get pretty good pics for a beginner on it and am happy. I'm not sure about bursts but if I put it in the sports mode on a sunny day I can capture birds in flight. Look into this one, they are kind of hard to find and I got mine at Ritz' camera store at Bayshore. Karen --- On Thu, 11/10/11, Al Schirmacher <alschirmacher@xxxxxxxx> wrote: From: Al Schirmacher <alschirmacher@xxxxxxxx> Subject: [wisb] Birding Camera To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Date: Thursday, November 10, 2011, 3:41 PM After 18 years of birding, contemplating the purchase of a camera for birding, primarily for documentation purposes:) As a pastor, cost is of course an issue. Any thoughts about models and ease if use? Al Schirmacher#################### You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn). To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn #################### You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn). To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn