Canon Powershot sx130is?

[Recurve-Elk]

So I am thinking of taking up wildlife photography because it would just be a perfect excuse to go on a camping trip in elk country.  I am basically a broke college student with little to no prior photography experience.  Would this camera suit my needs? Canon powershot sx130is.  I don't expect to take world class photos.  I just want something that has good quality and has an okay zoom. (12x optical.)  Point and shoot appeals to me 

[MtnMuley]

I use Canon and Sony point and shoots. I have the highest rated compact sx210is, and am disappointed with the quality compared to many of the nicer Sonys I've used when using little to lots of zoom. Personally, unless weight is an issue, shop around for a good used DSLR.

[Suncrest Sniper]

I use the SX20is and love it. It takes great pic's and it's very simple to use.

SS

[Wazukie]

Here are a couple pic's from a SX30is that I just took.  First on is at ISO 160; 1/320 sec; f4; 4.3mm full auto  The little church in the background is about 100 yards away.. Second one: ISO 200; 1/200 sec; f5.6; 145mm full auto.  Both are straight out of the camera.  I bought this camera for my wife this last year and she just loves it.  I havent had it out in the field yet, its hard to leave my D7000 behind.  I compared all the Nikon, Canon etc. "Super Zoom" point and shoots, this one is 35x optical, and this camera had the fastest and sharpest auto focus out of the ones I tested.  It is a great camera and pretty easy to use.  The only problem that I have with is it.........ITS NOT A NIKON

[BOWHUNTER45]

I have all cannon cameras but they spend more time being fixed than taking pictures ...I love my Powershot SX110 it takes awesome pictures but I have trouble keeping it in my hands because it is so slippery ...but as far as top quality pictures for the price it is awesome ...now that I have wrote countless letters to cannon they have made a change to the newer powershots by making them with a none slippery finish...so now I am buying a new one ... 

[jyerxa]

If you are just getting started, I think the Canon powershot sx130is would be absolutely spot on. Time will tell if you want to do things differently later after you have seasoned up with it.