I have a less-pleasant suggestion regarding the FZ30.

Don't get it.

The specs *look* very impressive; the folding VF screen is a great idea;
there's plenty of them megapixel thingies; its got built-in anti-shake; the
optical zoom range is impressive; the lens doesn't change physical size when
zooming (I could go on and on) BUT IT TAKES CRAP PHOTOS!  (Please excuse
shouting.)

I am no neophyte.  I could drop all sorts of brand names and brag about
decades of experience, but that would bore the reader.  Instead, let me just
offer this advice, from one who was (like you?) seduced by the magnificent
array of top-flight specs which the FZ30 boasts:

Don't do it.

I bought one, and whilst there is *nothing* wrong with it, its a dud.

Low-light performance is hopeless.
Anti-shake barely works - if at all.
AF at long focal lengths is abysmal.
Close focus is very (what can I say?) "average".
(Did I mention the noise?)
Manual focussing (even with the clever "enlarged spot" thingammy) is very
difficult to do on the EVF.

Oh - and to pre-empt the smarties - I get *great* results with my other
cameras; film, digital p&s and dslr.  It ain't me.  This craftsman *is*
blaming his tool - and with justification.

The FZ30 works fine in optimal conditions; i.e. lots of light, medium F.L.,
medium distance.
Take any condition to an extreme, and its pathetic.

Wanna buy mine cheap?

--
Jeff R.
(great salesman, yes?)