Camera Help! I'm so confused?

I'm buying a camera for Christmas and I'm really confused at the moment, i can't afford a dslr or slr so i'm thinking of a bridge camera
The camera i have been looking at is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 but i hear some good reviews about this camera and some bad reviews. The bad reviews say that the older version like fz45 or fz35 is better than this camera but on some other websites i hear the fz100 is better.
By the way i'm only really looking for the best image quality possible for a bridge camera not really too bothered about video, but also the camera needs a good zoom. I also looking at the nikon p100 which looks good but the only bad bit i spotted is when you zoom in it is fuzzy and shaking a lot. I noticed the panasonic camera doesn't do this. I'm sorry i went on for ages i'm so confused right now please can you help me find a camera within a price range 250-350 UK Pounds

Since you want lots of zoom, you hit the jackpot. The bridge camera is for you. You can get any. They are all well-built. You can't judge the camera by sample pics. Picture quality is highly dependent on the user. Add to your choices the Pentax X90.

Whatever a camera you choose, get a 10 day return policy. Hold on to the box, instructions, all packing, & of course the receipt! Take a few pictures the first day of ownership with the camera set to maximum pixels and a reasonable ISO like 100-200. Run to the nearest one-hour processor and have an 11x14 print made (should be about $4.00). If they send it out go elsewhere. If the print has good color and is sharp-keep the camera, otherwise return it!

My two favorite "bridge" cameras are the Kodak z981 (which I own) and the Canon SX20 IS. The new Canon SX30 IS has video enhancements and it not that better than the SX20 IS or for that matter the Canon SX10 IS.

Good luck!

P.S. You might check out the Fuji S1800 for $165.00 or thereabouts on amazon.com This is a sale camera probably about to be discontinued, but a great value for the money. It doesn't get anybetter than Fuji Finepix cameras. Fuji stands behind their cameras better than most!

I would consider Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 24x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Black)

14.1-megapixel resolution; 24x optical zoom with 25mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens
1080i HD movies in AVCHD format; 3.0-inch free-angle LCD
Intelligent Auto (iA) mode; new My Color mode
Continuous Auto Focus up to five frames per second at full resolution for great action shots; capture up to 60 frames per second at 3.5 MP resolution
Capture images to SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards (not included)