[beeper007]

Thanks a lot for your inputs fiona,
I just went through the reviews of a few bridge cameras and came across the following strong contenders.

Could you or anyone please suggest me the best out of the rest.

Pentax K100D(US $640 with kit lens but no warranty) = Highly Recommended, lightweight dSLR, AA batteries, Images are colourful and contrasty, Better dynamic range

Sony DSC-H2(US $490) = two 2100 mah batteries and charger free, IS not effective, still a better option than the H5, sharp images with good quality, small lcd, slow performer, high chromatic aberration and softness in the corners at telephoto

Fuji FinePix S6500fd/S6000fd(US $430) = Good resolution & sharpness, ISO and Flash, Good VFM, Very good results up to ISO 400, ISO 800 perfectly usable, might not be fantastic, but it's the best you'll get, Very low shutter lag, Excellent battery life, fast focus Cons=Really needs optical image stabilization

Fuji FinePix S9600/S9100(US $490) = a little more features are availble in 6000/6500 for a little lower price

Kodak Easyshare P880(US $440) = raw and tiff settings,high quality lens and low chromatic aberations, slow focus in low light

Kodak Easyshare P712(US $490) = overall a slow and mis-focusing camera, Images a little soft and not spectacular for a camera with these specs

Canon Power Shot A710IS(US $400) = high price, red eye issue, over exposure problem, great price/quality ratio, better than average quality,not perfect

Canon Power Shot S3IS(US $560) = image softness and noise issue, focus hunting at telephoto end in dark areas, Chromatic aberration and purple fringing, No RAW mode, Limit to highest shutter speed usable at wide apertures, low dynamic range