Okay. I was exaggerating. It's obviously got a more durable case. I honestly didn't realize that it was variable focus (but don't get me started on auto focus, either). And most photographers worth their salt wouldn't even touch an optical zoom lens, but I understand their necessity given the fact that the lenses aren't interchangeable, and, for that matter, the need for digital zoom considering the short maximum focal length.

You know, I was just looking for some nice SLR digital cameras to compare. I knew that they were out of my price range, but I didn't realize how much they had not come down in price in the last year or so. What I want is in the $2800-$5500 range. Ouch! Oh well. I guess $500 really is a steal.

PS: I seem to get more and more unintentionally argumentative. Please accept my past, present, and future apologies for any offense I cause. I don't intend it. Or, rather, if I did, you'd really know it.