Strengths: All the great features of a DMC-FZ20, except for the lack of a hot shoe, remote release, or lens mounted manual focus ring-none of its drawbacks.

Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet, perhaps excessive grain at a higher ISO than 400.

Summary: I had been dabbling with digital for the last several years, but maintained my film priorities. Last year, after very careful checking and researching, my Wife and I retired our film cameras and went Panasonic exclusively. I have a DMC-FZ20, and my Wife uses a DMC-FZ5. I've used the FZ20 in every conceivable situation and loved it. When the DMC-FZ30 came out I really wanted to try it out. Some of it's features demand a good left hand-mine is severely maimed. I didn't like it at all. Then I tried out the DMC-FZ7! I was hooked. This camera is so greatly improved over either of our other Panasonics as to be an entirely new breed. Improved controls, startup time, focusing speed, low light capabilities, handling, video capture (almost never use that one, but it's there if you want it.) This thing puts both of our other two cameras to shame. I immediately went out and found a buyer for my Wife's camera and bought the FZ7. It uses the telephoto, macro and wide angle lenses I bought for my FZ20, and in a pinch will even use the same batteries. I don't intend selling my FZ20 yet, because it's proven to be so rugged and capable in the field(even though it's slow focusing with sports action and does not do low light well). However, I plan to buy another FZ7 in two weeks, after I get my taxes back. It's light weight, incredibly versatile, and powerful to the max. My Wife has to fight me for it. I'm working with it for about two to four hours a day now. I don't care what you use it for, fast action sports, portraiture(even in dimly lighted restaurants without flash!), flowers, landscapes, advertising, real estate (needs photoshop or photoimpact to correct perspective, of course), birdwatching, or anything else, it does it all, very, very well. Let you know later how well it holds up under the rugged use an extremely busy photographer's gives it. At this point I believe it's a WINNNNEEER!

Strengths: Leica optics unbelievable. Awesome movies. To many features to believe.

Weaknesses: None I have found yet.

Summary: My wife is ready to sell her Nikon D70 and lenses. FZ7 does all her DSLR does at a fraction of the size and weight. Color balance, exposure and focus on FZ7 is better by far. I bought camera for me, but will have to pry it from her hands for me to use.

Strengths: I loved the price, the af system works great, all the scene modes it has gives you a ton of choices. Good zoom, battery life,movie mode etc......

Weaknesses: none found yet!

Summary: i researched this camera for a while and was sold on the panasonic FZ5 then i saw this camera for the same orice with all the upgrades, what a steal! Great camera whether you are a biginner or a pro, very user friendly.

Strengths: 12 X ZoomOptical image stabilizerFast focusGood movie modeSmall SizeGood PriceGood batteryTakes wonderful wonderful pictures

Weaknesses: I know not many people use anything above 100 ISO or auto mode. But any pictures taken above 200 ISO are unusable. It's difficult to take good pictures in night

Summary: Still the best bang for the buck. I had Panasonic FZ20 and I loved it and hence I wanted to try this camera too. If you do basic and a little over basic photography this is the best bet in the market. If you like to play a lot with teh manual setting, like you know what is apperture, shutter speed, film speed and how to use them with combination then look for digital slrs

Strengths: 1. Black colar looks professional2. 2.5" LCD is big3. The 12X zoom is superb, fast, very fast4. Image stabilization works well5. 6MB size, good enough for family use6. cheap, compare to ...

Weaknesses: 1. The menu book hard to read2. LCD fixed3. Noise, but I don't use that set of ISO often:)

Summary: Paid $339 plus shipping, and excellent deal. I have looked at Canon/Sony, they are too expensive. This camera fit in the price range and has all the features I want, excellent job. If they can sell it around $250, that will be a steal.