Chuck-

I don't think that you and I are in disagreement. From my experience with film SLR's, once you get out into the 120-200mm and beyond range, build, tube design, and lense quality become huge factors in determining image quality, which neither digital nor optical zoom can compensate for. By increasing focal length and moving parts/tube sections, you increase the opportunity for the image resolution to be compromised. My comments were directed toward so-called megapixel or "digital zoom" as being unable to magnify the original "optical zoom" image without compromising image quality/resolution. The reason the best 35mm camera large zoom lenses cost so much is because of the inherent design and material challenges. In a closeup, macro environment, a 4X optical will beat a 3X optical, which will beat a 2X optical point-and-shoot, all other factors being equal. They are simply easier to build right. Obviously, at some point, as you increase the focal length and complexity of the design, you may begin to see a decrease in image quality on a point-and-shoot as well. As I said in my first post, "Lens quality and optical zoom are key".

Kind Regards,

John