Replying to Need Help Picking Out Camera for Traveling

I'm a college student and am going to be studying abroad in Europe all next semester. I used to have an Olympus camera (tough series) but im giving it to my brother who does a lot of fishing and I'm getting a new one. I don't want to waste any of your time, so here is 1337's guide to help you pick me out a camera


1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future?
ANSWER: Probably under $400. I'm not looking for a professional camera, but I want something portable, good zoom, high quality, but want to stay away from the bulky large ones.

2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own?
ANSWER: My mom has a Nikon D70 and I love it, but frankly its too big. I will be traveling all over Europe and want something I can throw into my bookbag when I'm not sight seeing

2) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc)
ANSWER: None. Again, I'm not looking for too much here. I'd prefer more of an autofocus instead of having to use a tripod.

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc)
ANSWER: Like stated above, I'm traveling abroad, which will include pictures of friends, lanscape, monuments etc. Also, I WANT A CAMERA WITH A VIDEO SETTING. The higher quality the better. I hope I'm not asking for too much on this budget, but I'll see what you guys come up with.

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?
ANSWER: Probably one I can hand to friends.

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc)
ANSWER: Follow cams.

7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great.
ANSWER: I have a dell latitude which is upgraded pretty heavily. On a different computer now but it will be fine.


7) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)
ANSWER: I use Adobe Photoshop alot doing random shit for NS and just for fun. So for that maybe (6?). Never used a video editing program though.



I know this is a lot on here, but I hope this helps. 10/10 karma for those who take the time to read and post a helpful response.