Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I found myself wanting to up grade my super-zoom point and shoot camera. I had a Samsung HZ50W and was very happy with it, but I felt it was time for change. I read reviews from everywhere I could, from camera experts to everyday people, I decided on looking at five cameras, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V, Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR, Nikon COOLPIX P510, Panasonic DMC-FZ150K, and Canon SX40 HS. I decided if I was spending $400 to $500 on a camera I was going to try them out in stores first. I like to buy things online, but I don't like returning items, so off to the local shops. First I'll have to say that I drove about 90 miles to look at cameras. Unfortunately I couldn't find 2 cameras, the Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR or the Panasonic DMC-FZ150K no one carried either one. I played around with the other 3 cameras quite a bit, all were very nice and I don't think I would have gone wrong with any of them. It was little things that made me pick the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V. The Canon had I smaller screen and auto focus seem to struggle at times, plus 2 different sales people told me if you buy a Canon get the extended warranty, although I don't see any issues like that in any reviews. The Nikon was nice but it seemed to miss a good shot more often, whether taking to long to focus or a little blurry. The Sony seemed to focus fast and get the shot way more often and the 3 inch screen was nice.. I have now owned this camera for a week and can't stop taking pictures and video. I have tried to put this camera in every situation possible and it has worked every time. So far I've taken pictures at my son's tennis meet, other son's band concert, portraits, the dogs, flowers, landscape, low light, no light, bright light, very close, full zoom, burst modes and couldn't be happier. The video is great , I still can't believe how smooth and detailed the video, I took of my sons band concert, holding the camera by hand no tripod and at half to full zoom. I am an amateur photographer that takes about 100 to 1000 pictures a week and have for 15 to 20 years, we have had more cameras than I can count, including SLR - DSLR, point and shoot, and video cameras. As with every camera there are a few cons, The viewfinder is not very good, but I love that the camera switches to it automatically when you go to look through it. Also no Raw image, my last camera had it and I was just starting to learn how it use it in editing. 29 minute video length limit? I don't know if that will ever be an issue, but why the limit. And I've never seen this on a point and shoot camera, but why can't we turn off the picture preview and have a live view all the time, it would be much easier to follow the action whether in burst or single shot mode. I am very happy with this camera, and I can live with the few cons I found, Thanks for reading, hope this helps.