You considered buying a digital SLR? Cameras like the Canon Rebel XT, and the Nikon D50 have reasonable prices, and have optical viewfinders, which won't go blank too much time. Of course, they are more complicated, and bigger, also.

Of course, an ultra-zoom on a SLR will cost you a very big amount of money, but you really need all the range at the same time? Maybe you can buy a zoom in the telephoto range, and another one with a wide angle range. The kit lens might be sufficient for the later.