Good and bad

Last Christmas I decided to really learn how to use a digital camera. I had a 3 megapixel Cannon point and shoot. I signed up for a camera class and a Photoshop Elements class and bought a Panasonic FZ-50. The FZ-50 was a huge improvement over the Cannon S30, both indoors and out of doors, mainly due to the lens and ISO capabilites. It was also wonderful in that I could take indoor snapshots of my Grandson without a flash to distract him from playing. This was a great camera for learning on but I have come to understand that it has it's limitations also. I very seldom get a really crisp focus. I can really see this in Photoshop. If i'm in sunlight and hold the camera very still then it seems good but it still has noticeable "noise". The macro mode is also poor. I think the camera was a great learning tool for me but I will definitely upgrade to a DLSR in about 1-2 years. The good news is that I now have a good idea of how to use a digital camera and what I personally like. In retrospect I would have obtained a Nikon D-40 but I did not know that last year. I have taken about 3000 shots since christmas (you tend to do that with your first Grandson). It's those 3000 pics that taught me what I can do, what the camera can do, and what I personally like. If I had to do it over again (without the learning of the last year) I would probably pick the FZ-50 again because it has wonderful capabilities. Especiallly the lens, the manual focusing, the RAW capabilities, and the feel of the camera. On the other had you can now get agreat DLSR for the same I paid for the FZ-50 ($550).
Good luck in deciding!!

Still learning.