Thanks for the input everyone. It came down to the cannon, the Sony HX-1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100. After reading many reviews and looking at sample pictures I went with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100. The usable range in the lense is quite impressive and it takes 720p HD video. I went a bit over my budget, but not much. Also got a Transcend 16GB Class 10 SDHC Card. Not sure if this will be enough memory, but it sounded like a lot
Here is the description:
Camera Effective Pixels 14.1 Megapixels MOS
Sensor Size / Total Pixels / Filter 1/2.33-inch / 15.1 Total Megapixels / Primary Color Filter
Aperture F2.8 - 5.2 / Multistage Iris Diaphragm (F2.8 - 8 (W) / F5.2 - 8 (T))
(F2.8 - 11 (W) / F5.2 - 11 (T) in movie recording)
Optical Zoom 24x
Digital Zoom 4x(Max. 96.0 x combined with Optical Zoom without Extra Optical Zoom)
(Max. 202 x combined with Extra Optical Zoom)
Focal Length f=4.5-108mm (25-600mm in 35mm equiv.)
(31-735mm in 35mm equiv. in movie recording)
Lens LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
14 elements in 10 groups
(2 Aspherical Lenses / 3 Aspherical surfaces / 3 ED Lenses)
Optical Image Stabilizer Power O.I.S. (Off / Auto / Mode1 / Mode2)
Photo & Movie
Conversion Lens Compatibility Yes
Auto Bracketing (AE) +/- 1/3 EV ~3EV step, 3 frames
Light Metering System Intelligent Multiple / Center Weighted / Spot
Face Detection Photo & Movie
Still Image Scene Mode Panorama Assist, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High Sensitivity, Flash Burst, Panning, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo, Photo Frame, High Interface AV Output (NTSC), mini HDMI, USB2.0 High speed
Viera Link Yes
Power ID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, Minimum: 895mAh) (Included)
AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) (Optional)
Battery Life 410 pictures (CIPA Standard)
Built-in-Flash Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off,Flash Synchro; 1st / 2nd
0.3 - 9.5m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 5.1m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Included Software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.2 HD Edition, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, QuickTime, Adobe Reader
File Format Still Image: JPEG(DCF/Exif2.3)
Built-in-Memory Approx. 40MB
Microphone / Speaker Stereo / Yes
Power ID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, Minimum: 895mAh) (Included) Battery Charger/AC Adapter (Input: 110-240V AC, DC Cable is required)
Touch Panel No
Intelligent Zoom 32x
AF Tracking Photo
Intelligent Resolution Technology Photo & Movie
Video Divide Yes
Motion Deblur mode Yes
Face Recognition Edit Yes
HDMI output Video: Auto / 1080i / 720p / 480p
Audio: Stereo