[AnnieQ]

I went to BestBuy and a few other stores, at bestbuy I got the Panasonic lumix 7.2 mp...my pictures are already better.
The guy that helped me compared the macro to the Nikon Coolpix L6...and the macro and pics seemed better on the panasonic. However I like everyones pics that have the Nikon so I'm not sure I feel so good about my purchase...YET. Both cameras are around $200.

I know I have to become a better 'picture taker' and I can't just depend on the camera. I feel a little ickish about panasonic...but the pics seem good so far. I'll post some in a bit when I can get my bearings on the camera a little better

Here are the specs on both if anybody has a clue...because obviously I'm still clueless.

If there's anything negative about either or if you've had a bad experience with panasonic let me know....otherwise I'll just see what happens.

DMC-LZ6 DMC-LZ7
Sensor • 1/2.5 " Type CCD
• 7.38 million pixels total
• 7.2 million effective pixels

Image sizes • 3072 x 2304
• 2560 x 1920
• 2048 x 1536
•1600 x 1200
• 1280 x 960
• 640 x 480
• 3072 x 2048 (3:2)
• 2048 x 1360 (3:2)
• 3072 x 1728 (16:9)
• 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
Movie clips • 640 x 480 @ 30 / 10fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30 / 10fps
• 848 x 480 @ 30 / 10fps (16:9)
File formats • JPEG Exif v2.21
• DPOF
• QuickTime Motion JPEG
Lens • 37-222mm (35mm equiv)
• LUMIX DC VARIO
• 6x optical zoom
• Extra optical zoom (4:3: 7.2x for 5MP, 9.0x for 3, 2, 1, 0.3MP, 3:2: 9.0x for 2.5MP, 16:9: 9.0x for 2MP)
Image stabilization MEGA O.I.S. (Mode1/ Mode2)
Conversion lenses No
Digital zoom up to 4x
AF area modes 1-point/1-point high speed/3-point high speed/5-point/Spot
AF assist lamp Yes
Focus distance • Normal: 50cm - infinity (wide) 120cm - infinity (tele)
• Macro / Simple mode / Intelligent ISO / Motion image: 5cm - infinity (wide) 30cm - infinity (tele)
Metering Intelligent Multiple
ISO sensitivity • Auto
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1250
• High Sensitivity mode ISO 3200
Exposure compensation +/- 2EV in 1/3EV step
Shuttter speed • 8-1/2000 sec
• Starry Sky Mode: 15, 30, 60sec
Aperture F2.8 /8.0 (wide: 2 steps) F4.5 / 12.7 (tele: 2 steps)
Modes • Program AE
• Simple
• Normal Picture
• Macro
• Scene
• Intelligent ISO
Scene modes • Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Scenery
• Sports
• Night Portrait
• Night Scenery
• Food
• Party
• Candle
• Fireworks
• Starry Sky
• Beach
• Aerial photo
• Snow
• High Sensitivity
• Baby 1 & 2
• Sunset
• Pet
White balance • Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Halogem
• White Set
White balance fine tune 150K step, -1500 - +1500 K (except for auto set)
Self timer 2 or 10 sec
Continuous shooting n/a
Image parameters Black & White, Sepia, Natural, Standard, Vivid
Flash • Auto
• Auto / Red-eye reduction
• Forced On
• Forced Off
• Range: 0.5 - 5.4m (wide) 0.5 - 3.3m (tele)
Viewfinder No
LCD monitor • 2.0-inch Polycrystalline TFT
• 86,000 pixels • 2.5-inch Polycrystalline TFT
• 115,000 pixels
Connectivity • Video out
• USB
• DC in • AV out
Print compliance PictBridge
Storage • SD / SDHC / MMC card compatible
• 27 MB built-in memory
Power • AA Oxyride battery included
• Optional AA Ni-MH rechargeable / AA alkaline
• Optional AC adapter
Weight (no batt) 180 g (0.39lb) 184 g (0.40lb)
Dimensions 98.5 x 62.3 x 33.1 mm (3.88 x 2.45 x 1.30 in)

Nikon Coolpix L5 specifications
Sensor • 1/2.5" Type CCD
• 7.41 million pixels total
• 7.2 million effective pixels

Image sizes • 3072 x 2304
• 2592 x 1944
• 2048 x 1536
• 1024 x 768
• 640 x 480
Movie clips • 640 x 480 @ 30fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30fps
• 160 x 120 @ 30fps
• with sound
Lens • 38-190mm (35mm equiv)
• F2.9/5.0
• 5x zoom
Image stabilization Lens shift VR
Conversion lenses No
Digital zoom up to 4x
Focus Auto
AF assist lamp Yes
Focus distance • 50cm - infinity
• Macro: 4cm - infinity
Metering n/a
ISO sensitivity n/a
Exposure compensation n/a
Shuttter speed n/a
Aperture F2.9/5.0
Modes • Single
• Continuous
• Multi-shot 16 (approx 5fps)
• Auto
• 4 modes with Scene Assist
• 11 Scene modes
• BSS (Best Shot Selector)
Scene modes • Portrait
• Landscape
• Sports
• Night Portrait
• Party/indoor
• Beach/snow
• Sunset
• Dusk/dawn
• Night landscape
• Close up
• Museum
• Fireworks show
• Copy
• Panorama assist
White balance • Auto with TTL
• 7-mode manual (Direct Sunlight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Shade, Flash and White Bal. preset)
Self timer 10 sec
Continuous shooting approx 0.7fps
Image parameters Color options
Flash • Auto
• Auto with red-eye reduction
• Flash cancel
• Anytime flash
• Slow sync
• Range: 0.5-5.5m (wide) / 0.6 - 4.0m (tele)
Viewfinder No
LCD monitor • 2.5-inch
• 115,000 pixels
Connectivity • USB
AV out
Print compliance PictBridge
Storage • 8MB internal memory
• SD card compatible
Power • Rechargeable NiMH battery EN-MH1 or 2x AA
• Optional AC adapter
Weight (no batt) 170 g (6.0 oz)
Dimensions 97 x 61 x 45 mm (3.8 x 2.4 x 1.8 in)