new backpack camera choice?

[Rufous]

I have a Canon Powershot S50 that I bought back in 2003 or so and have liked it just fine except for the low optical zoom which is only 3x. It weighs about 8 or 9 ounces. Often I have taken photos of distant animals and the animal just looks like a dot in the picture. I want to get a new Point and Shoot digital camera with more optical zoom and am having difficulty sorting through all the choices. I do not really want to get one that is bigger or heavier than what I presently have so have mainly been looking at these options:
Nikon Coolpix S9100
Samsung WB700
Olympus SZ-10
Olympus SZ-30MR
Sony DSC-HX9v

I think I want more zoom capability than what the Sony provides but it is a contender. I am hoping that some of you might help me sort out the differences between these cameras and zero in on which is the best camera. I am not a professional and again the quality of the photos I took with my old Canon were quite satisfactory to me. Thanks, Rufous.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Don't rule out the Panasonics.

I have a Lumix DMC-TZ3 that has a 10x optical zoom.  Bought it 4 ( ) years ago, it did a WESTPAC and banged around in my pack, vest pocket, jacket pocket etc while hunting.  Use it for a little bit of everything.  I just looked and the new version has a 12x optical.

[whacker1]

Don't rule out the  Panasonic Lumix DMC -FH20k.  I have been very impressed by the Lumix series point and shoots.  I have a Sony Optio from 2006 era, and it is a good camera, but eats batteries.  It doesn't take pictures of the quality that my parents Lumix does from the same era.

It looks like some one beat me to it.

[CAMPMEAT]

I've got a Nikon Coolpix S570. Very nice pocket camera. Has the movie feature also.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Good info here.  I've been thinking about getting a small, light camera to stick in my hunting pack.  My old camera, a Nikon Coolpix 4300 still takes good pictures, and was state-of-the-art when I got it, but now it's too bulky, and even the memory card is too big to go in the card reader slot in my computer.  Got to get one of the newer, thinner units that have 4x the pixels or more.  This will get my butt moving, now!

[JBR]

Here's my new backpack camera, http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/LUMIX-Digital-Cameras-Point-amp-Shoot-Models/model.DMC-TS3D

Waterproof down to 40 ft, freeze proof, dust-proof, drop proof resistent (up to 6 ft), full HD video and outstanding pictures, in and out of water.

Just took it fly fishing today.  Tied it to my wader's suspenders and it was right there when I needed to grab it with my wet (and later slimy) hand to take pics and vid.  Awesome.  I got it in bright orange so I don't lose the thing.  Don't have to worry about it at the beach, in the snow, out in the rain and can take fun video and pics underwater for fishing or swimming with the kids. 

[BiggLuke]

Like JBR says...  If you're going in the field, WaterPROOF and ShockPROOF mean a lot.
Just think how much it would suck dropping it in the lake, and you just lost photographic evidence of Sasquatch!!  Seriously....   lol.

I myself have had 2 different Olympus StylusTough cameras.
They kick ass...  I'm just saying. They take good photos.
And Very user friendly.
check 'em out: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital.asp?section=tough