Need camera suggestions. I'm stuck between Canon and Nikon brands. Need suggestions?

OK so, I'm interested in The Canon Powershot SX 530HS or POwershot SX710

Both of which have good zooming and nice features. But thing is 530 SX only has 16 MP, but 710 has 20.3 MP vs. 530 Zoom has 50X zoom and 710 has only 30X zoom.

Now, I'm stuck with More zoom or More mega pixels?

If there any better nikon models similar to that let me know.

If you can only see Canon and Nikon, you shouldn't be allowed within 50 feet of a camera.

With the small sensor used in both these cameras, I would go with the 16MP sensor. Since these cameras were released around the same time period, they probably use the same sensor technology. They would be much better cameras if they were 8 to 10 megapixels, but marketing ploys prevail. When the pixel density increases beyond a certain point, the image quality decreases, especially in low light (when using higher ISO settings).

When using super zoom lenses, the lens quality at the higher zoom setting won't be great, but will pull in that distant bird. You'll have other issues like camera stability at the longest zoom setting (common issue with all cameras).

Both these cameras are made by Canon.

They are bridge cameras. I can't recommend any bridge cameras, because they have tiny sensors, and they are over priced. And BTW megapixels mean virtually nothing.