New FZ30

[dass]

I've not had my 30 for a long enough time to know if I want to keep it long term,or not. It's a question only time and use can answer. I had a K-M 7Hi which was lighter and a tad smaller.But the build quality didn't even come close to the Panasonic. The things I may NOT get use to on this Lumix is the weight and size ( BULK ). This camera is BIG ! One thing I don't have to live with is that rough scratching sound from the manual control rings on the 7Hi and my Sony F505,which I still have. They feel and sound just plain CHEAP !The ones on the Pan are as smooth as silk...liquid charged ! I was about to buy a D-50 , but high price and extra maintennce from three or more lenes was not appealing,for now ! We'll see.........

[mbbin2]

I also had 7hi before i bought my first fz20 (now have a fz30 and fz5). I absolutely had to use a tripod for almost all pictures especially indoors. I still use it on a tripod with flash for portraits because I have minolta flash and have not invested in the sunpak 383 yet. The 7hi cannot begin to compare with all my panasonics for handheld pics.

[dass]

I have to think about a flash also. Last summer I bought a Sony DSC-DVD403 cam that produced better stills than you might think and I'd have just one camera. But the touch screen menu was a PAIN. It got to the point where I never used it at all.Sold it.My point being,again, you have to use any cams for a time before you can judge it for yourself.Picking it up in the store and holding it in your hand is only a small step. Once you hold the FZ30,though,it's hard to put down.