I just purchased the D50 and can try it out for 30 days from Walmart
($665.00).  This is the only place I found where I can actually try out the
camera at home, put it though its paces, and truly see if it is for me. So
far, I like it.  But I can't compare it personally to other cameras, see
below.

I have 4 questions: (Thanks for your patience)

1.    Any comments about the higher ISO noise rep on the FZ30 compared to
the D50?  I can't try out the FZ30 for free (restocking fee upon return).
The FZ30 has always attracted me for the 8 megapixels and the one lens large
Leica Zoom with stabilization, but I want to use it for a variety of things,
including sports stop action and available light (higher ISOs).

2.    The D50 kit lens (G-ED) is  reviewed to be  not as good as the D70 kit
lens (D-ED), different focal ranges also.  Would you care to comment on the
visual difference between these lenses? Would the "common" eye be able to
notice any difference?  Again, I cannot try out the D-ED lens, unless
Walmart will order it for me.  Even then I may then not be able to return it
if specially ordered.

3.  I've struggled with considering the D200, mostly for its 10 megapixel
size. Other attractive issues are the coupled metering with older Nikon AI
lenses and very high fps continuous mode.  Frankly, the price of the kit is
$2000.00, including the better D-ED lens (18 to 70), and I just can't
justify that expenditure now as an amateur.  Certainly my wife can't also,
but she is open to it just the same, (God bless her). I'm the stalwart one
who is very money conscious.

4.    The D70s has the better lens, but I think the body of the D50 has all
I will need.  I could order the D50 body and the better Nikon lens, but the
price is just a couple hundred bucks from the D70s kit price of $1200.00
bucks list.

If I knew the FZ30 would perform well under higher ISO's, I'd opt for that
in a heartbeat, and never look back.

Thanks for considering these questions.  I will gladly pay you guys for the
"therapy" you will give me here (wink).

Regards,

Sandy