a quandry

My camera broke on the day we moved into the flat.

This was its last poor attempt at a photograph before giving up to the eternal state of REMOVE LENS CAP THEN PRESS >. Very sad, particularly as I've got on so well with this camera.

The upside to this story of course is that I get to go shopping for a new camera. Hooray! Except I'm rubbish at decisions like this, as there are always so many options with no clear and obvious choice. I was happy with my old camera (a Panasonic FZ18), so want to go for something with the same plus points. I've decided against a DSLR as I don't think I'd use a camera as much if it was that heavy, and don't like the idea of having to bring out more than one lens with the kind of photos I like to take. So I'm looking for a high performance compact digital camera with a decent zoom, good macro function and the ability to use preset features and also switch to manual settings.

So I've narrowed it down to a few models.

• Panasonic FZ45- an obvious option as a more direct replacement of my old camera, with a slightly bigger zoom and higher specifications (also takes photos in RAW, which my old camera didn't). Cheapest option out of these, at only £249.
• Panasonic FZ100- the next model in the FZ series, although I'm not convinced it's much of an improvement on the FZ45 for the £80ish mark-up on price. Main advantage is a better screen which can also rotate round and flip.
• Canon Powershot SX30 IS- gets generally very good reviews, with a rotating screen. Doesn't take RAW images, but as my old camera didn't either, its not a huge issue for me.
• Nikon Coolpix P500- also gets good reviews, and has the advantage of being lighter than the Canon. Has tilting screen, but doesn't take RAW images.

We are off to Dorset this weekend so am hoping to make up my mind before I go. I welcome any opinions over the next few days please! Watch this space...