Bridge camera with zoom or camcorder?

[Tafia]

Saw a chums Canon SX30 yesterday and was quite surprised at the good quality picture using the full 35X zoom. I had expected that, as with telescopes, such a small object glass and a high magnification would result in a washed out picture due to lack of light through the lens.

I have a need of a camera with a long zoom and also perhaps a camcorder and wonder what folks think. Should I buy the Canon as above and use the camcorder facility or would I be better in buying a camcorder with a similar zoom and the option to take digital stills at say 5 Megapixels.

The camcorder would be much smaller and more convenient to carry but would the zoomed still pictures be as good as the Canon.

Any thoughts folks?

Cheers