If you are looking for an excelent digital camera without the cost of a new one then I have to recommend the FZ30 with its powerful zoom and high MP count.
I've had my FZ30 for almost five years now and still I can't justify an upgrade. I know there are many more advanced cameras out there but for the extra zoom or MP they bring I'm not yet convinced they are worth the cost.
You can find out all the technical specs fron elsewhere but from a users perspective I can tell you that you will be very pleased with the options of very simple qutomatic use through to the full functioning manual use. I still take shots that I am very proud of and my walls are filling up with soe of these I have framed and want to display around the house.
I want to stress that I find the camera the easy to use but have also enjoyed all the buttons, dials and settings that it allows me to play with. Long exposures (limited to 60 secs) are great fun with led lights and tourches in the back garden, holiday walks and endless hours on a boring beach become far more interesting and macro shooting can make mundane subjects facinating.
If you would like a camera that has a lot but is still simple to use and will not now cost a fortune then go for it.