Sensor size, pixel count, zoom & aperture

[JDW]

I am into action photography (wildlife and sports) and wish to purchase a bridge camera:
1) Which sensor size and pixel count would be better?
2) Would a smaller zoom (e.g. x24) with a larger aperture (e.g. f2.8) throughout the zoom range be better than a larger zoom (e.g. x 50) with a smaller aperture that is not the same throughout the zoom range (e.g. f/3.4W; f/6.5T)?

[graham_c]

Hi
This is just my personal choice I would pick the larger, constant, wider aperture over the smaller variable option you could always make the subject bigger by cropping. As for sensor size the bigger the better... Graham

[wave]

I would go with graham. But have you considered a DSLR

[Nigel Atherton]

The Panasonic FZ200, with its 24x constant f/2.8 lens would definitely be the way to go as far as a bridge camera is concenred. Its a remarkable feat to get a lens like that into a camera of that size when you consider what a DSLR lens of that spec would look like. When you're zoomed out to 600mm having that fast max aperture can make a huge difference to your ability to get a sharp image with no camera shake (even with the IS) given that its 2-3 stops brighter than competitor models which, to ge the same shutter speed you;d have to increase the ISO by a couple of stops.