Diamage z-1 or z-10????

[medicboy]

Wife has given me the ok for a new digital camera, I think I have it narrowed down to the diamage z-1 or the z-10.  I want a camera with at least 8x optical, 4x digital zoom.  3.0 mega pixal or higher. and rapid focus.  Tried the olympus version and hated it, never did focus right, lcd was crap.  The minolta z-1 is great, but now they have the z-10 with lower power consumption and faster start up:  0.5 sec for the z-10, 2 sec for the z-1.  Any body try either of these, or have any new suggestions????

[SaburoS]

What's your budget?
Panasonic FZ3 is a really good performer for the money.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicfz3/

BTW, ignore the digital zoom figure as it's useless, you can crop for better results in post processing software.
Plusses: 12x Optical zoom. Image Stabilazation. Fast start up and low lag shutter time. You'll like it  
$400.00 gets you a good camera.
If you are an experienced photographer and want to get into a DSLR camera, go with the Nikon D70 with its kit lens if $1300.00 isn't too steep for you. It'll grow with you.

[medicboy]

Thanks!  I will look into it.  I can get a dimage z-1 with all kinds of extras for about $379.