Sorry to be late; didn't check in for a couple of days. Yes, the Panasonic makes extremely sharp photos, thanks, in part to the Leica lens. It offers two types of image stabilization, both optical (the best kind): 1. continuous and 2. at the moment of shutter let-off. Of my six non-DSLR cameras, the Panasonic DMC-TZ5 is the best one. Like most digital cameras, it has a wide range of shooting modes, most of which I never use. But they're there. It also shoots video, but I've never done it; I do know that it lets you zoom during video filming - I understand that many cameras will not zoom during video. As I said, the flash range is limited and the camera DOES NOT have an optical viewfinder. One other drawback - which you can overcome by careful "holding" - is that the flash is located below the shutter button, and it's natural to put your middle finger over it. You've got to get used to that. Panasonic has packed so much into this little camera that I don't think there was any other place to put the flash. And by-the-way, like most small digitals, it does not have a hot shoe for using an auxillary flash. If you'd like further info from me, go to My Page and email me directly. Javert

Jen, I understand how all confusing the numbers are. It took me awhile too. I glanced at the link you posted. You'd probably benefit those info more if you have a digital SLR. Basically, the smaller the number of mm, the wider the angle would be. ie: 28mm is wider than 50mm. You mentioned that you want to take close up. You'd need a camera that has "macro". It allows you to get as close to the object but still be in focus. Pay attention to the number of the macro which means how close you can get to the object. If $400 is your limit (which IMO is alot to spend on a good camera) 2 things I'd suggest: 1) Go to a camera store/department and play around with several model, you'd get a better understanding of the focus point and zoom capability. Get the model number and shop around or online for a better price. 2) If I have $400 to spend, I would bypass a point and shoot camera altogether and would invest in a digital SLR (DSLR). You mentioned Canon and that's among a good brand to go with. With $400, you can easily get a used Canon Rebel XT or Rebel XTI with a nice lens that has a decent macro, zoom range and a wide angle. Most photographers that owns DSLR are serious photographers (either beginners or pros), and we all tend to take care of our equipments. So, getting a used one is not always so bad; although, you may still want to check out the camera as you would with any other used item you'd buy. The Canon Rebel XT & XTI are being replaced to higher end models. It shouldn't be hard to find one inexpensively. You may want to use your local city Craiglist (online listing) and see if someone locally would sell it to you for a good bargain. Sometimes, you'd find someone throw in extras with the kit. I've seen it as low as less than $200. Why a DSLR vs. a point and shoot? A DSLR allows you to shoot instantly, no slow shutter speed, no missing the "kodak moment". You can do continous shooting for action. You can set it on "auto" or you can play with the settings once you grow your knowledge of photography. You can invest on better lenses later on when you have more $$$. If you keep with the Canon brand, those same lenses will fit on your next Canon camera body if you ever chose to upgrade with the latest technology. If you'd be using the camera for macro, a DSLR would allows you to purchase specific lens for better (closer) macro. Or, for less $$$, you can get extender tubes which connect to the lens and let you get so close to the object that you'd be almost touching it. Hope these tips help and good luck on your findings. Natalie

The vast majority of photos I post here were taken with an 8 year old Olympus C-740 3.2MP with 10x Optical Zoom digital camera. It took superb pics but with the lower Mpixel count, terrible shutter lag and 256Mb memory card limit, it definitely had its downside. I dropped and broke my first Olympus about two years after buying it. It had been discontinued so I went on eBay and bought the exact same camera for $55. It too took exceptional photos. But, when it became so slow on a recent trip to Panama that I missed a sloth photo op (a sloth!!! for heaven's sake!), I decided it was time to find a new camera. :-) I did lots of research. I didn't want an SLR quite yet as it would be more camera than I can currently handle. I seriously know next to nothing about manual settings but I do know that I really don't want to be lugging extra lenses and the weight of an SLR around with me...yet. :-) I finally order the Panasonic Lumix FZ100 and wait for it to arrive. Low and behold there is a box on my doorstep the next day! But it was for my DH. Turns out he bought another Olympus exactly like my old one since it takes such great pics. He paid $30 for it. I've only been using the FZ100 since June but I'm pretty happy with it so far. I start a 10 week photography class next Monday. Hope the teacher can break through my thick skull and help make F-stops and aperture settings and depth of field all make sense. Well, actually in theory it all makes sense it's just they made it more difficult than it needed to be with all the wanky numbers you need to remember. LOL Oh, and I missed my old Olympus so much that I bought a new Olympus Stylus 9000 to carry around in my backpack when I hike. Jodi-

Yvonne, that's difference you see is caused by my manipulation of a camera in Aperture Priority mode. Picture was taken with Minolta A1, which you can buy now for AUD $500-700. When shooting in Aperture Priority, and I want blurry background, I select widest possible aperture for the shot (f/2.8), and that gives me that beautiful blurry background (out of focus area). Wider the aperture, less background is in focus. All the same, if I want more of the background in focus (for landscape photography, for example), I'll rather select smaller aperture (f/11 or f/22) so almost whole scene, both foreground and background, will be in perfect focus. I believe Sandie can do the same. I suppose Panasonic Lumix supports Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Full Manual modes. In any case, I strongly recommend anyone to get a camera that has all those shooting modes. -Tom