Thanks Moonstone

Is image quality important to you? if so I would look at pics taken with both cameras and see which one you prefer.. here ya go:

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/powershot_sx10_is

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/panasonic/lumix_dmc_fz28

Thanks Azz, will have to take a look later as my broadband dongle has a download limit and makes all the pictures look grainy regardless of how good they are!

But I'll take a look when I get back from training tonight!

I am using the Lumix and I also considered the Canon. My reasons for going to the Lumix in order of priority were:
Lens Quality
Lens Quality
Lens Quality
View screen resolution and size
Weight

I hope this helps in your choice

The Lumix will be better at 18x zoom than the Canon because its at 20x zoom. the longer the zoom the more stable you have to hold the camera.

Here is a comparison.
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Pa.../verdict.shtml

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Ca.../verdict.shtml

Thanks Dawn,

Very good comparisons there... I'm still stuck I do think I'll be going for the Panasonic. Either of these cameras are clearly excellent and will certainly be an improvement on what I have already!

But I think, despite not being able to pick up batteries easily, the Panasonic may have to be my choice.

The weight and compact size is something of a benefit to me as it's going to be used on walks etc. and I did really like it when I tried it out. It's also a bit cheaper than the Canon which leaves me some birthday money for my hair done!

I would say I found the Panasonic easier to hold than the Canon as it felt like I was going to press something by mistake when holding the Canon - buttons everywhere! I'm sure I'd learn to live with it but as someone who can be quite clumsy I need a camera I can get a good grip on!

I'll let you know when whichever one I ultimately choose arrives and I get some shots with it!

If I had to make the choice between these two I think I would go for the Canon because of the screen and the slightly longer lens length.

Totally unbiased as I have neither, my point and shoot is a Pentax and the compact a Nikon. Both take good crisp shots the Nikon having a nice lens that will cope with both very close shots (Macro mode) and telephoto it was however over priced and if I had had more time to try I may have gone for a different make.

Hmm just called Harrison Cameras up the road and they don't have either in stock. They don't carry the Canon SX10 and they've sold out of the Panasonic

He did say for lens quality the Panasonic just has the edge... I feel like I should try them both out somewhere before I make the decision but can't find anywhere that has both!

Sure if you tried another shop they would say the opposite so I would not take too much notice of the opinion of one person.

Have you tried Comet and Curries they often carry stock and offer it at a good price, if they have it in stock you can ask to see both and handle both take a couple of shots and inspect them on the screen by using the zoom in feature. Think they will both let you return them in 14 days if you are not totaly happy so nothing to lose.

Will have a look for a Comet. When I went to Currys last night they didn't have the Canon which is why it was so awkward, I was at Meadowhall (big shopping centre) so tried the Panasonic at Currys and the Canon in Jessops but the lighting was different at both and I had no instruction from Jessops so of course the Panasonic appeared to be better as I had full instruction from the assistant.

I've tried calling another local branch of Currys to see if they have both in but I get the damn nationwide automated answer (which really pees me off)