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I would strongly suggest you consider the Nikon D40 (or is it the D60 now?). (Or a Canon Rebel).

This 10MP Panasonic has a 1/2.33" chip, which if my math is working breaks out to 10.7mm. The Nikons with their 2/3rd crop come out at 23.3mm. Of course, the full frame Nikon & Canons have 35mm chips or so.

The upshot being that the photowells on the Nikon 2/3rd cropped sensor are 4.7x larger than the photowells on the Panasonic. More than math goes into the final shot result, but with the same on-board algorithms & chip voltages, you are thus looking at ISO 1600 on the cropped Nikon being as good as ISO 400 on the Panasonic. (Double 400 = 800, double again (now 4x) = 1600). And while the final math may not be as extreme as that, the tiny chip on this camera bugs me. It's not about the MEGAPIXELS, it's about the photowell (and therefore chip) size. I cannot wait until the big boys figure this out. Of course, as your chip becomes huge, your lenses give you barreling & pin cushions. Can't wait, actually, until we get the curved chip and morphing lenses for zero distortion shots on huge chips with huge photowells with negligible noise at high sensitivities.

This is a superzoom, not a DSLR. It's not in the same class as the D40 or Rebel. If you're looking for an SLR, obviously, this is not the camera for you. If you want something that gives greater functionality than most point-and-shoot cameras but without the pricetag of an SLR, this might be a good option. I have an earlier version of this camera and have really enjoyed it...and enjoyed spending the $300 I saved not buying a digital SLR. Define your needs. Do your research. Buy what speaks to you. And don't be embarassed if you ultimately choose something other than a Nikon or Canon.

I'm with #1 100%. I tried this Pana along with Nikon P80, Canon S5 (From Ritz camera), I kept bring it back, finally the sale "woman" asked me to try out the D40, after 2 days, I'm in love with the DSLR!I took some pics in the VERY low light room, cranked the ISO to 800, hardly see any noise! I recalled the same deal with all of the PNS listed above, anything over 200,all I got is noise, I mean unacceptable noise.
Of course this Pana takes great pics too, but you CAN'T go wrong with the entry level D40 DSLR, most PNS camera take beautiful pics outdoor, regardless rain or shine, but indoor, you already got the answers right?

#3, at more than double the price of this camera, I would hope that D40 took much better pictres.

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#6, DISINFORMATION??
The word is misinformation, you jacka$$..
Looks like you don't know how to read - The nikon d40 does cost $399
Why dont you finish your kindergarden first..

it is still a point and shoot camera, just more features and large zoom capabilities. Good if u want point and shoot and not carry a bunch of lenses. Otherwise, definately go with a dslr.

on the same note, don't expect it to hang with the big boys either for low light low noise, and stop action sports.