I got it! I got my new camera today...now, just for a chance to use it!
I bought the Panasonic Lumix FZ50, which has the equivalent of 35 - 420 mm Leica lens, (12X optical zoom), optical image stabilization, full manual controls, zoom and focus rings around the lens, and a rotating LCD display. It is like the "Clayton's SLR" digital camera. (Not SLR, but next best thing.) It is lighter-weight than my very old, (but faithful!) Pentax, Program-A, SLR and can do soooo much more!
I walked out of the store a happy girl, with a new camera, spare battery, 2GB memory cards and a bag, for a bargain price and I am going to get them Duty-free as well!