I think the pixel peeping, as often called, isn't only to decide if this camera takes good shots but is away to compare it to its only direct competiton, the Fz30. I.e. is there a reason to upgrade or which of the two should be bought. I am in the latter boat myself. I.e one would hope the Fz50 can do better than its predecessor and so far from sample shots I would have to say the advantage lies with the FZ30. However the Fz30 is undergoing serious pricegouging as it is slowly sold out everywhere(unless you want a silver one heh.)

My take is that is is a sad day for the ulktrazooms as there isn't anything on the marketplace and may not be for awhile.

Why not the FZ30
My take on that is that photography for me is a hobby and thus it is for fun and personal enjoyment/taste so the color should be one you like, if it is available, at one time black was rofl. I.e. I would never pick between two competing products based on color, and only performance would matter. But if indeed between the same model/make of camera two colors are offered I certaintly would insist on the one I prefer in a hobby. Otherwise makes as much sense as buying something extravagant like a sports car in a color you don't like heh. Of course, the fact that black isn't availble from any reputable resellerratings compaines isn't the only reason, is also because of the price gouging that is occurring with the black model having jumped from 474 to 519 to 539. I simply am unwilling to pay "extra" for a year old model of camera if anything prices should have came down as paying an extra ammount should certaintly be reserved for those people that demand having a camera as soon as it comes out and of course not even then as paying extra should always be reserved for getting extra.

Why not the Fz50:
From the samples not just here but on the Panasonic sample page it looks like the Fz30 was a better camera than the Fz50 as far as picture quality. The price on it is listed as 650 and who wants to pay more for less?

The theorectical FZ50 good:
Picture Quality ..maybe:
Ten megapixel 1/1.8" CCD
Venus Engine III image processor

Outise of theorectival picture quality FZ50 good:
Better battery life... if its true heh

Fz30 Simply better because of the FZ50 having:
TIFF file format dropped (RAW remains)
Slower continuous shooting (from 3 to 2 fps, max images from 7 to 5 in standard) OUCH
Lower resolution LCD monitor (from 230,000 to 207,000 pixels) OUCH

I personally don't really care:
16:9 movie record mode (848 x 480 pixels)
Scene modes adjusted
Sensitivity up to ISO 1600 at full size, ISO 3200 (upsampled) ... usuable probably the same as Fz30
TTL Flash hot-shoe
Support for SDHC cards (SD greater than 2 GB)
'SilkyPix Developer Studio' for RAW conversion

If I seem foul mooded it is simply because my research was a waste of time heh. Unless the Fz50 does some turn around and can actually deliver considerable picture quality of the FZ30, then there isn't squat on the market IMHO.