Canon G7, Panasonic FZ50, Nikon P5000 vs. low end DSLRs

I am still slowly considering for my next digital cameras. It was
still either the high end point and shot camera, or a low end DSLR
(which they are basically on the same price range). As some readers in
these newsgroup suggested, I went to the photo shop and try the
cameras in my hand. The following are my impressions. I welcome the
comments from others.
- Low end DSLR have a "cheap" plastic feeling. I know that this should
not be a factor for photo qualities. However, I feel uncomfortable
with the cheap plastic cameras. My old SLR cameras are all heavy and
made of metal... including the lens' casing.
- For P&S, I am still not comfortable for the fact that Nikon camera
was not made in Japan (as compared to Canon G7 and Panasonic FZ50).
Again, some readers already suggested that where the camera is
manufactured should not effect the camera's quality). I am also sure
that a lot of the components of the cameras were not made in Japan.
- FZ50 is much bulky than G7. I am still not 100% sure whether this
will affect my choice. I like to have the camera fit into my pocket.
The Ultra compact does not have extra features as the high end P&S.
- I tried couple of shots in the shop with the G7. If I am not
mistaken, the quality in FZ50 seems sharper than the G7.
- I do like the feel of the G7 - solid. Except for the protective
shutter. If I handled roughly into my pocket, the shutter may be
dislodged. I wish they have a sliding steel cover (like in smaller/
compact Sony or Olympus models). I recall that the Canon A series that
I used for work had the cover shutter damaged during rugged uses and
it does not close properly now - although the camera is still
functioning.
- I checked at DPReview for side by side comparison between G7 and
P5000. They seem to have similar features across. However, someone in
the newsgroup indicated that G7 has more manual features than P5000.
P5000 is smaller and lighter... but I can feel that G7 seems to be
built better and stronger. Picture quality that I tried in the shop
was not that great, but it could be the lighting too.
At the end of the day, I am still thinking either G7 or FZ50... and
now tend to weight more on the G7 for its compactness.... unless
Panasonic made one which comparable in features and price as G7. I am
a little turn-off my plastic quality of low end DSLR. If I am going to
that route (perhaps next time), I may think about higher end DSLR
instead.

aniramca.TakeThisOut@gmail.com wrote:
[]
> At the end of the day, I am still thinking either G7 or FZ50... and
> now tend to weight more on the G7 for its compactness.... unless
> Panasonic made one which comparable in features and price as G7. I am
> a little turn-off my plastic quality of low end DSLR. If I am going to
> that route (perhaps next time), I may think about higher end DSLR
> instead.

You could perhaps add the new Panasonic FZ8 and Canon S5 IS to that mix.
DSLRs can produce better images, at the expense of being bigger and
heavier, and significantly more expensive to equip.

David