Digital Camera--Power Tumbling?

I am an advanced power tumbler. I am looking for a digital camera that I can use to take pictures of my teamates and fellow competators without the pictures being blurry. We are not allowed to use flash. And I will need to be able to zoom quite a distance.

I am assuming you don't really have a desire to spend a lot of money or learn all the ins and outs of a digital single lens reflex camera (SLR) like the Nikon D50 or Canon Digital Rebel XTI. Both of these cameras would work for what you need but by the time you add a lens or two (like the 50mm f1.8 or 85mm f1.8 or even 200mm F2.8 for the canon) you will wtill spend north of $800 and over $100 with a longer lens.

Instead then, I will recommend a small point and shoot by Fujifilm which has very good high ISO peformance. This means it can shoot in low light and therefore give you a chance of stopping the action without having everything blur. You can read more about this camera, the fujifilm F30 here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm...

Another one to consider if you need more zoom is the Panasonic Lumix FZ30 (used) or FZ50 (new).

Sports of any kind will require a DSLR (Canon or Nikon).

The shutter lag will cause you to miss your shots when using standard point and shoot cameras.

A DSLR with a high ISO capability (3200 or more)

Fast lenses available for DSLR cameras will enable you to catch the action.

The zoom lenses are no faster than f/2.8, but should do the job, but VR (Vibration Reduction) or IS (Image Stabilization) will help with camera movement.

Bad news? ... Cost.

The two things that you really need if you are going to capture action without the benefeit of a flash is a camera with a high ISO setting, hopefully above 1600 ISO, and a camera with a relatively large aperture say anywhere from 1.8 to 2.8. Also because you are shooting indoors you will need to get a camera that has an ability for a manual zoom. Fact is that indoors under not so ideal lighting conditions, auto focus doesn't work so well. In terms of the focal length of your lens, I would say a 55-200mm zoom lens would be sufficient. As for choice of cameras I think the best option for your needs is a entry level digital SLR such as a Canon digital rebel, or a Nikon d-40 or D-80.