Ive owned the FZ1, FZ3, FZ5, FZ20, and now have the TZ5, and I have also owned the canon A75, S1IS S2IS, and S5IS, I may have the letters backwards, and I have owned several other brands, samsung, Sanyo, blah blah, but of them all, I have always found Panasonic to take the best outstanding pictures, ASIDE of the Canon S5IS. They seemed to fix a LOT of problems I had with their previouse models leading up to that one and wouldnt mind another one in a heart beat.
But my point is, if it is stamped Panasonic on it, no matter the model it is, I personally do not think you will ever go wrong with it. 99% of your shots taken with it will come out, and look great. With many of the other brands other then my last Casnon IS I was throwing away almost 75% of my shots due to lack o focus, lighting, or something not being right, and considering most my shots I take are off the cuff, I cant ask the subject to act out the part again, so for me, having one that when I turn it on and hit the capture button and get that shot of the moment right, the first time is a must. It also has a great menu or the times I want to take my time for other shots as well, but for me of all the brands I have used, Panasonic so far has always been there for me to get the shots I needed to get right then and there, so if thats something your really looking for, as well, dont think twice in the brand, and check any review on them as well, they get rave reviews no matter what.
I so wish there was a way I could of kept my last canon camera, it was the shit, and worked great in conjunction with my TZ5, but I was in need of a Flash video camera and had to sell it. I ended up with a Samsung MX10 for a flash video camera an does and outstanding job or what it is, so I dont miss it too much, but do which I was rich enough to been able to keep both. If your looking for a flash video amera I would look into the Samsung MX20, nothing special, true widescreen, no HD, but looks great, and stereo sound, cheap price, and uploads to youtube easily. Most my last uploads were done with my Mx10 4:3, if you like to see its quality shoot me a pm, or as for a link here glad to post it.
Sorry for going little ot op, just wanted to plug my experiences with them since I have much with them over many makes and models since I always have to sell what I got to get another one and felt it may help others to know my thoughts I have had.
OH, and sometimes checking ebay before you buy will net you a better camera over a new one, maybe used or refurb, but may have a super zoom on it and more features, smaller, or what have you. Like the TZ series I have its compact but has a 10x optical, and can be had for around this same price on ebay if you search around, and it records video at 1280x720 HD as well
Like this TZ5 like mine, used, 4 of them off AMAZON, for under $200
Fully loaded, and about the same zize as the one op has in his link.
Just some food for thought and they make a underwater as for it as well.