Lets do this in stages...
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilK100
I have looked at all the reviews, bought the mags and was undecided whether to go for the Canon 1000D or the Panasonic Lumix G1. As a smaller footprint is one of my priorities I was airing towards the Lumix
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This is a sensible idea. The Panasonic is smaller and will take up less room. However, as the system is new there are less lenses and accessories for the Panasonic than there are for the Canon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilK100
Then I discovered the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38 and am now really confused. To a rank amateur like myself I can not see what I get for the price difference. What would I get from the G1 or Canon that I would not get from the FZ38 apart from interchangable lenses?
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You've missed the point.
Interchangeable lenses is what you get. The single greatest advantage to an SLR interchangeable lens camera is that you can change the lens. This means you don't have to compromise on quality with an "all-purpose" or "do-anything" lens. You can have dedicated optics for specific jobs.
There are other differences between the SLR/Hybrids and the "bridge" cameras like the FZ-38 (sensor size, noise levels, finer control, better manual focussing etc.) but the interchangeable lenses is the most important one.
Think of an SLR as an ongoing investment. The kit lens you get won't be great, but it'll be good enough to get started with. At some point you're going to want a longer lens, or a wider lens, or a macro lens etc. With a camera like the FZ-38 it's all in one package. You buy the camera, then you use it.
If footprint is of importance to you I would suggest you go with something like the FZ-38. It's a good all round camera and, because you don't buy more lenses, it won't grow and take up more space. If you decide you want to upgrade to an SLR later on you'll have a better understanding of how cameras work, what you like to shoot and what you want in a camera.