I have the DMC-FZ5. Love it. Only months ago, I bought a later version of the same model for my parents.

I am a big fan of Panasonic's Lumix line. It is easy to scoff at Panasonic, to say that they don't specialize in cameras, so why bother. But the lens is key here. The Leica lens is among the best available, particular at the price points that Panasonic offers.

Save some cash, get something decent, get the Panasonic.

Hey, the Canon is decent too--it's their top-of-the-line non-SLR. I'm trying to find a balance--not too delicate, large or expensive to carry around in my bag all the time (which is why DSLRs are pretty much out), but with a lens and sensor that are a good bit nicer than the usual.

What do you think of your Panasonic's build quality? I've had really good experiences, durability-wise, with Panasonic stuff, but I've never had one of their cameras. While I'm at it, what do you think of the user interface? And thanks for your help.

The user interface has a very shallow learning curve. When I was shopping, I found so many nice cameras with very cryptic menus. That's unnecessary, particularly with all of the options available for UI. Panasonic does a fine job riding the line between advanced settings and being simple enough to let anyone take a photo.

That being said, the Canon has been a consistent also-ran in my shopping. When I bought mine, I was considering the S1 IS as a second choice. Some of its features would be nice to have.

My Panasonic feels remarkably sturdy. It is about 60% plastic, I suppose, but it has a solid feel to it. I'm not about to drop it to make sure, but it never feels like a breakable toy.

I'm a Canon person all the way - I've now had three Canons and I have loved them all. I have the S1 IS (so does Weretable) and it's been awesome. Even my old 3.2 megapixed Canon point & shoot has consistently taken great pictures. I've never used the Panasonic, though, so all I can do is rave about Canon without a comparison.

I love my various Canons. The Lumix looks nice too, but it seems to lack an optical viewfinder. That is a deal breaker. You need the viewfinder in low light or other situations where camera sability is an issue--your hands are way more stable when holding the camera close to your body. You also need the viewfinder in bright light where the LCD will be washed out.

The Lumix has an image stabilizer, though--would that overcome the downside of the missing optical viewfinder?

Also, thanks again for all your help, everybody.

I have the panasonic. It's my second panasonic digital camera. As they say on eBay: AAAAAA+++++++ product. I just love it!

Paralyzed with indecision, I feel like I'd be extremely satisfied with either one of 'em.

I should flip a coin or something.

I have a Leica C-Lux1, which is a Panasonic DMC FX01 with a Leica logo. and I have a old Canon Powershot, 4 megapixels.

My review: the Leica lens is awesome, I don't miss the viewfinder (it's a p&s after all), but Panasonics/Leicas all have this appalling noise problem, all of them. I happily shoot at ISO 80, higher than 100 the noise is unbelievable. shoot at ISO 3200 and you'll be unable to print at 5x7

want to do some low-light, no-flash work, get a Fuji

(oh, and Panasonic/leica has the equivalent of a 28mm lens, I love wideangles. Canon usually starts at 35mm)