Once you have a price in mind, then you can easily narrow down your choices. Read up and think about how you'll use your camera. Start your research by reading various electronic magazines at the newsstand or surfing the Web. Read reviews by people who don't have a stake in your ultimate buying decision. More often than not, folks buy more than they need.
Features are different than benefits.
A benefit is something that you'll actually appreciate. A 10x optical zoom is sufficient. A good control is ergonomically placed, and has a speed control to give you accurate and smooth control of the zooming. Optical systems produce a smoother look, and will cost you more. They use little gyroscopes within the lens system of the camera to steady the image.