On 26 Mar 2006 20:14:25 -0500, tjab wrote:

Good question - looking at the review I get the impression that some
things have been improved, but some of the new features (like high ISO)
haven't been well thought out. My /tentative/ view is that unless you
really need the extra megapixels or the other new features, the 5MP FZ5
may be the better value camera to get. What are the comparative prices
now?

FZ7 has manual focus (with joystick); my understanding is that
FZ5 does not.

I was looking at this on Amazon yesterday (a coworker was drooling over
my FZ5, and thinking of buying one) and it looks like:

FZ5: $326
FZ7: $376

with the caveat that the FZ5 was on 1-2 week backorder.

Funny thing; Circuit City has been advertising the FZ7 in silver
(FZ7S) for 50-60 bucks less than in black (FZ7K).

I'll bet the black is selling better overall. All of the FZ5s I've seen
in the wild (including my own) are black; I think the only silver ones
I've seen have been in reviews.

I think the black just looks better, though for 50 bucks, I might be
persuaded to change my mind.

-dms