If you want to be able to zoom in and take good pics of far away animals, and or take good video of long range shots etc, then a 'bridge' camera like the Canon Powershot SX50 or the newer one the SX60 are the way to go.
Great bits of kit, far more versatile than the compact point and shoot variety. If you dont want to film or take still at longer range, then the compact is prob all you need.
I have the SX50, but the SX60 is the replacement and on special you can get them for just shy of $500. $550-600 being normal retail by the looks.
This was taken with my Canon SX50 (373 yards)
https://youtu.be/HXtd7_yV9GI
and this https://youtu.be/ajT6LWCGcEQ
Bookmarks