Don't know where to start

[Vita]

I'm a total newbie, looking for a camera, so please excuse my newbie language and descriptions.

Here's what I have now:

http://www.tristatecamera.com/lookat.php?refid=263&sku=MINDZ6

I'd like something comparable as far as the specs, but that's small, flat, and has a wide screen in the back that I can (a view finder)?

I travel a lot and keep a blog. I love the photos this camera takes. I like how they're slightly grainy. See here:

http://vita-sogno.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html

I just like that output. Like the way the photos look. I just don't know that I love the camera.

I always use auto (I don't use any manual features - as I don't even really know what I'm doing!) but I like this level of zoom as I'm often taking photos from far away.

But the camera is clumsy for me. The button you press to take the photo sticks and it doesn't capture things *instantly* -- like it takes a second or two - just long enough to miss the shot - to capture the image you want. And you can't do multiple photos, one after another, b/c it takes things a while to reset, so you have to wait.

And things kind of clang around; like it's not "sleek" enough.

But I do also get a lot of use out to the video feature. I've shot some pretty cool videos traveling (just for blog purposes).

So can anyone recommend what I can trade this in for based on what I've said here?

I like the quality of my photos exactly as they are.
I like the video feature.
And I like how much zoom I get (though I don't know the difference between optical and digital zoom).

But I want something a little more sleek and perhaps with a big viewfinder at the back, like this:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=14901

I just can't find the equivlent of my current camera in a design like this.

Thanks!

[AndyfromVA]

The Panasonic TZ5 seems to meet your criteria. Pocket-sized, metal construction, large LCD screen, wide screen, long optical zoom and good picture quality.
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/panasonic/dmc_tz5-review/

[Vita]

Thanks, Andy! That does look like what I'm looking for. I'll read more about it. Is this it?

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TZ5K-Digital-Optical-Stabilized/dp/B0011Z8CCG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1218825501&sr=8-1

or is that a different model (I'm trying to find it on Amazon).

Thanks!

[Vita]

Oh, or here it is.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/ProductSet.aspx?Prodid=11287465&search=Panasonic%20TZ5&Mo=0&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=Panasonic%20TZ5&Ntt=Panasonic%20TZ5&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

[AndyfromVA]

Both websites are for the same camera. There's the black version (TZ5K) and the silver version (TZ5S).

Apparently there's also a blue version, though I've never seen it in the stores.

[Vita]

Yeah, I don't know why I get so caught up with this - all these bad ratings...

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B0011Z8CCG/ref=cm_cr_dp_hist_2?%5Fencoding=UTF8&filterBy=addTwoStar

[Vita]

Think there's much difference between the t4 and the t5? thanks again!!

[AndyfromVA]

Yeah, I don't know why I get so caught up with this - all these bad ratings...

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B0011Z8CCG/ref=cm_cr_dp_hist_2?%5Fencoding=UTF8&filterBy=addTwoStar

I see 2 one star ratings, 5 two star ratings, 10 three star ratings, 35 four star ratings and 104 five star ratings!!! These ratings are great overall. That a few people have complaints just shows that you can't please everyone.

[AndyfromVA]

Think there's much difference between the t4 and the t5? thanks again!!

The TZ5 has 10mp, the TZ4 has 8mp. The TZ5 has an extremely high resolution LCD screen, the TZ4 has "merely" a high resolution LCD screen. The TZ5 can take 720p hd video, the TZ4 can't.

That's about it.

[Vita]

Sold!

Well, almost...

Would you buy it new or save $50. and buy it this way

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0011Z8CCG/sr=8-1/qid=1218825501/ref=olp_pg_used?ie=UTF8&coliid=&startIndex=0&me=&qid=1218825501&sr=8-1&seller=&colid=&condition=used

thanks!!

[Vita]

Actually, I just bought the blue one from Amazon - and a rechargeable battery - all for $315 with shipping. Thanks for your tips! This was a huge decision for me that could have gotten very complicated, so I think you for saving me from all that!!